StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
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37 StateWays Q www.stateways.com Q July/August 2014 Black Forest Distillers from a staggering 47 botanicals that are macerated in a combination of pure molasses alcohol and natural spring water. Imported by Sidney Frank, the 94-proof gin is brimming with a juniper-forward character, fl oral and crisp citrus notes and a hint of peppery spices. • Perry's Tot Navy Strength — Produced by the New York Distilling Company, Perry's Tot Navy Strength is bottled at a lip-tingling 114 proof. According to Tom Potter, partner and co-founder of New York Distilling Company, this character-rich spirit is an homage to a nearly forgotten, historical gin style made with a fresh interpretation. It is distilled with honey as one of its botanicals. • Uncle Val's — Handcrafted in Sonoma County, Uncle Val's is constructed on a foundation of neutral grain spirits that are slowly steeped with a botanical mix that includes lavender, sage, lemon peels, cucumber and juniper. Some botanicals steep longer in the alcohol than others to impart a more pronounced fl avor and aroma. All told, the highly aromatic, 90-proof gin undergoes fi ve distillations in a copper pot still. Neo-Classics A number of brands have survived the usual challenges of the initial launch and are now fi rmly entrenched in category's ranks. These neo-classics are among the fi nest examples of their type or style. "People don't buy categories, they buy brands," asserts Thomas Mooney, co-owner and CEO of House Spirits Distillery. "The rise of gin is led by a handful of pioneering brands that have introduced new, more balanced expressions of gin, for example Hendrick's or our Aviation American Gin. These growth brands are more mixable, but they also pair well with complex fruit and spice fl avors that are not as kind to more traditional gins." • Aviation American Gin — Handcrafted at the House Spirits Distillery in Portland, OR, Aviation is a small batch artisanal gin distilled on a base of neutral rye spirits and infused with 7 botanicals, a mix that includes lavender, cardamom and sarsaparilla. This spicy, herbal and citrusy spirit is bottled at 84 proof. • Bluecoat American Dry Gin — Handcrafted in Philadelphia, organic Bluecoat American Dry Gin, 94 proof, is formulated on a base of pot-distilled rye, wheat, barley and corn. The resulting spirit is then infused with juniper, sweet orange peels and fresh citrus. In a break from style, the fruit notes and fl avors take center stage. • Bulldog — This ultra- premium gin from London is handcrafted in small copper pot stills from English grain and a blend of 12 aromatics. The gin, 80 proof, features a botanical mix that features dragon eye, a fruit from Southeast Asia long renown for its aphrodisiac properties. • Cold River — Cold River Gin is made in Freeport, ME, from locally sourced potatoes and spring water from an underground aquifer. The gin, 94 proof, has an oily textured body and balanced palate with juniper in the lead and zesty citrus and cardamom spice on the fi nish. • Fifty Pounds London Dry — This classically styled spirit is distilled in London on a base of neutral grain spirits and eleven botanicals, including juniper, angelica root, coriander, licorice root, Grains of Paradise from African, lemons and oranges and French herb savoury. Its last 3 botanicals are a proprietary secret. After distillation, the 87-proof spirit is rested to allow the flavor of the botanicals to fully integrate. • G'Vine Floraison — This 80-proof French import is quadruple-distilled in copper alembic stills from Ugni Blanc grapes, 9 botanicals and fl eur de vigue, the essential oils of the Ugni Blanc fl ower. The super-premium gin is highly aromatic with prominent notes of orange blossoms and lime zest. • Nolet's Silver Dry Gin — Crafted at the Nolet Distillery in Schiedam, Holland, Nolet Silver is comprised of a neutral grain spirit distilled from premium winter wheat. The super-premium gin is crafted with several unique botanicals, namely fresh white peaches, raspberries and Turkish rose petals. The 95.2 proof gin is slightly sweet and fl oral. • Right Gin — Produced in Malmo, Sweden, Right Gin is an Uncle Val's Gin Bluecoat American Dry Gin Bulldog Gin Nolet's Silver Dry Gin