E.J Gallo Winery has decided to take a new spin on gin. They claim their new New Amsterdam gin is smooth enough to drink straight.

The Gin & Tonic is a classic standby, and gin is hardly consumed any other way. New Amsterdam seeks to change all that and is adopting a younger, more elite image to try to convince bargoers that gin is cool again.

I picked up a bottle for $13.99, which is less than half the price of a bottle of Bombay Sapphire. It is indeed extremely smooth. I tried it straight, on the rocks, and in a classic gin & tonic. It is fantastic all three ways. Truly, the juniper bitterness is not as pronounced here, while retaining the unique gin "bite".

If you find yourself craving a gin, next time give New Amsterdam a shot, you might be surprised.