It took over 70 years after the prohibition had ended for the distilling industry to return to New York City. New York had a flourishing distilling industry by the early 19th century, however things changed during the Civil War, when President Lincoln taxed spirits to fund the military. This resulted in many distilleries going underground before the end of the century. The fatal blow for the legal distilling industry in US came in 1920, when the Eighteenth Amendment came into effect making the production of alcohol illegal. It was only in the 21st century that small distilleries started resurging in New York. The New York Distilling Company, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, is one of the oldest distilleries in the city, and was founded in 2011 by Tom Potter, a co-founder of the Brooklyn Brewery, and Allen Katz, one of the nation's leading experts on distilled spirits and cocktails. The distillery specializes in gins and rye whiskeys and has been one of the pioneers of the city's distilling renaissance that builds upon the pre-prohibition heritage. Gin distilling in New York began in the 17th century, when Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam (as New York was then called) started making a version of the Dutch spirit genever. However, it wasn't until the early 19th century when the first commercial gin was produced in the US. Gin was a popular drink during the prohibition, as it was simple to make. American gin is a bit different from London and other European gins as a result of using other botanicals. Perry's Tot is a navy strength gin named after Matthew Calbraith Perry, who served as a Commandant of the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the 1840s. Navy strength means that if this 57% ABV American gin was accidentally spilled over some gunpowder, the gunpowder would still ignite. The first navy strength gin produced in the US in over a century is made using 10 botanicals juniper berries, lemon peel, orange peel, grapefruit peel, coriander, angelica root, cardamom pods, sweet cinnamon, star anise and wildflower honey, which are sourced locally and from across the globe.

Snoop Dogg is a true icon, hip-hop legend and gin connoisseur that hardly needs an introduction. It was in 1994 that he released his debut album Doggystyle, which was produced by Dr. Dre and includes the hit single "Gin & Juice". Now, a quarter of a century later, the megastar has partnered with industry veteran Keenan Towns of Trusted Spirits and Prestige Beverage Group in order to release a spirit, befitting the classic track a "laid-back California style" gin the Indoggo Gin. "I can't wait for the world to taste my remix on gin! When I wrote 'Gin & Juice' back in '94 it was about good feelings and real experiences, it just naturally became a global anthem. When creating INDOGGO, I wanted to give those feelings new life with an approachable juicy gin that's smooth like the D.O. Double G," says Snoop Dogg. The five-times-distilled gin is crafted with 7 botanicals and infused with all-natural strawberry flavor. Juniper, orange, coriander, cassia, orris root, angelica root, and angelica seed are inside and there's no sugar added. It's certified gluten-free, fresh, fruity, and clean. It's perfect on the rocks, with gin, or as Snoop Dogg would have it with juice.

Scottish Kings was founded by Randy Miller and his wife Linda. The avid golfers would visit Scotland many times and fell in love with the country. They set out on a mission "to create the most desirable gin in history while uniting those who value uncompromising quality, exquisite taste, and a gin as unique as its birthplace." Randy has held an affection for premium gin for a long time and Linda a Scotch aficionado created a blend of fresh lime and sweetness for the perfect Gimlet. It was decided that they would create a gin where quality, community, and thoughtful sourcing would all meet. It took 3 years of meticulous recipe-testing in order to blend the perfect distillation methods with just the right botanicals. In 2019 Scottish Kings Gin was launched. Distilled in the Scottish Highlands, the gin has 11 botanicals, many of them foraged in Scotland: juniper berries, coriander, cardamom, lime and orange peel, angelica root, licorice root, elderflower, rose petals, aronia berries, and basil. The result is an ultra-premium London dry or as they like to call it Highland dry gin. The spirit is built to have a masterful balance of 6 distinct flavors: juniper, citrus, floral, spice, herbal, and heat. At 92 proof it's also a perfect cocktail base. While a relative newcomer, Scottish Kings Gin has already garnered numerous prestigious awards, including a Double Gold at the 2019 and 2020 editions of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a 93-point rating from The International Review of Spirits.

What was once a 15th-century monastic building is now home to the Plymouth Distillery, also known as the Black Friars Distillery, the only remaining distillery in Plymouth, England. The Port of Plymouth was once a "beacon for explorers," an important hub of commerce for maritime traders. Although "Plymouth Gin" is a distinction reserved only for gins that are distilled in Plymouth England, the Plymouth brand is the only brand produced in the area. The Plymouth Distillery was built in 1431 and was once a Dominican Order (also known as the Black Friars) monastery. Since repurposing and opening their doors as a distilling business in 1793, the distillery has been producing the Plymouth brand under Fox & Williamson (which switched names thereafter to Coates & Co). After changing hands several times, England's oldest working distillery and its brand are now produced under the colossal Pernod Ricard. The distillery's buildings served many purposes throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. After housing a monastery, in 1536 it became the town's "Marshalsea" (debtor's prison). It is believed that this location was where the first Non-Conformist meeting took place, also serving as a billet for Huguenot refugees. Later on, it was said to have housed the Pilgrim Fathers during their last night in England in 1620, before they boarded the Mayflower. Plymouth Gin is crafted with 7 botanicals. Juniper berries are there for the aromas of pine and a touch of bitterness, coriander seeds bring citrusy notes, then there's orange and lemon peels for even more fresh zestiness, while angelica root, green cardamom, and orris root add some menthol, dryness, and sweetness. The precise ratios are a secret, but there's a distinct earthiness, sweetness, and citrus that take the limelight here, making the spirit quite different from its London Dry cousins. The delicious spirit has won numerous awards over the years, including a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World spirits Competition.

The heritage of OPIHR Spices of the Orient Gin is firmly rooted in the ancient Spice Route. Traditionally merchants would travel thousands of miles along the route, trading exotic spices and botanicals from distant lands.

OPIHR Spices of the Orient Gin is crafted with a selection of exotic hand-picked botanicals, carefully chosen by OPIHR’s Master Distiller, including spicy Cubeb berries from Indonesia, Black Pepper from India and Coriander from Morocco.

The botanicals in Opihr Gin make the journey to their final destination, the oldest distillery in England, where quality gin has been traditionally distilled, using the same London Dry Gin method, since 1761. Here the botanicals are married with fine English spirit to produce an exotic oriental spiced gin.

TASTING NOTES

This intense, exotic spiced gin exudes the character of the Orient, incorporating hand-picked botanicals from along the Ancient Spice Route.

Aroma: A rich and robust gin with a smooth perfume and sharp bursts of citrus. Key notes of cumin and cardamom provide a warm, earthy background balanced with grapefruit peel.

Taste: Soft camphor, some sweetness and Oriental spices create a warm mouth feel that lingers but does not increase intensity.

Koval, a pioneering Chicago craft distillery since 2008, is the city's first since Prohibition. Founded by Robert and Sonat Birnecker, Koval crafts certified organic whiskeys, brandies, liqueurs, and specialty spirits, bringing Austrian distilling traditions to America. The distillery is named after Sonat's great-grandfather, Koval, and Robert inherited distilling expertise from his grandfather, Robert Schimd.

Koval takes a unique approach to gin production, making all their gins from scratch using organic ingredients and focusing on the heart of the distillate for a cleaner spirit. They handle the entire process from grain to glass, with meticulous quality control, growing and processing their grain on-site.

Their gift pack includes three award-winning gin expressions: Dry Gin, Cranberry Gin Liqueur, and Barreled Gin. The Dry Gin offers a vibrant, juniper-floral profile, suitable for cocktails or sipping. The Cranberry Gin Liqueur pairs well with sparkling wine, and the Barreled Gin adds butterscotch and spice notes after aging in whiskey barrels. All three have received prestigious awards.

Aviation is distilled using a proprietary maceration recipe that produces a pure medley of botanical flavor.

STEP 1: INFUSION
It all starts with our precise blend of botanicals – cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two kinds of orange peel. The botanicals are suspended in a neutral grain spirit for 18 hours in macerating tanks.

STEP 2: DISTILLATION
The macerate is then pumped into a still along with pure water. Steam jackets heat the macerate, the vapors go into the condenser, which cools the vapors to form the gin distillate.

STEP 3: THE CUT
In a meticulously monitored process, the first fluid leaving the still, the "heads," is removed. Collecting the "heart of the spirit" throughout the run, the distillers then determine the end of the cycle and make the final cut, "the tails." This process takes approximately 7 hours and at this point, the "heart cut" is 142 proof.

STEP 4: BLENDING & BOTTLING
The "heart cut" is transferred to a blending tank where pure water is added, bringing the gin to the desired 84 proof. It is then sent to the bottling line for filling, capping, and labeling. Aviation is then packed into boxes and ready to ship.

"I've tried every gin on the planet and Aviation is, hands down, the best. Also, I don't recommend trying every gin on the planet. Stick with this one."

Ryan Reynolds

Co-Owner, Aviation American Gin

Greenhook Ginsmiths craft their gin in a custom-made, copper pot still, designed to work under a high-pressure vacuum. This allows for distillation at a lower temperature, drawing out key flavors from being overcooked. Producing gin this way lets the botanicals shine through for a more aromatic vibrant gin.

AWARDS:
• 94 points, The Tasting Panel
• 2019 – BEST GIN, The Manual Spirit Awards
• 2020 – Silver, San Francisco World Spirits Completion 

Bottle size: 750ml, 47% ABV

Inspired by English Slow Gin, this is one of the most innovative and unique spirits to hit the industry in recent years. Greenhook Ginsmith’s Beach Plum Gin Liqueur is crafted by soaking Long Island Beach Plums in their signature American Dry Gin for 7 months, with a touch of Turbinado Sugar. The plums are then pressed for their juice and go through an intense filtration process. The result is a sweet-tart infusion that’s perfect for a Fizz or a French 75.

AWARDS:
• 91 points, Wine Enthusiast

With a firm nod to history, Greenhook Ginsmiths’ Old Tom Gin is crafted from pot distilled corn, juniper, and botanicals inspired by the spice trade of the 1900’s. It’s aged for two years in bourbon casks and finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks. Unlike other Old Tom Gins, very little sugar is added, leading to a complex palate with a drier finish.

AWARDS:
• 90 points, Wine Enthusiast

Bottle size: 750ml, 50.05% ABV

Hand-crafted in a malt whisky distillery, there’s a lot about Caorunn Gin that’s ingenious. Five of our eleven botanicals are hand-foraged locally, and they're all distilled slowly in the world’s only working Copper Berry Chamber. This clever contraption infuses the flavours as evenly as possible, and the result is a mouthwateringly refreshing gin.

So you already know "it's the one served with apple" but there's so much more to our classic gin. Find out what goes into our recipe to create the full-bodied and invigorating flavour we're known for.

"Bluecoat Gin represents a revitalization of craftsmanship, urban renewal and responsible sourcing — three values that the Fishtown section of Philadelphia and Bluecoat represents.

With a smooth foundational spirit, our distilling team was eager to experiment with the delicate touch of elderflower, and the new distillery-only bottling reflects our distillers' talents and the evolution of Bluecoat's unique style. Bluecoat Elderflower is the continuation of our local legacy in gin."

TASTING NOTES

The infusion of organic elderflower through a maceration process gives our classic American Dry Gin a light floral taste and heady fragrance.

Maker Notes

Since 2015, we’ve been making our Lilac Gin to honor the heritage of our home in Rochester. In 2019, we decided it was time for our second home in Buffalo to get an homage to its roots too. Loganberry has been around since the 1800s and has won over the hearts of Buffalonians in the form of a Loganberry drink. Our gin takes that sweet berry everyone knows and loves and turned it into a gin sure to delight.

What’s a Loganberry you ask? It’s a real thing, we promise. Loganberries are a hybrid made from accidentally crossing a raspberry and a blackberry (so the story goes).

Botanicals

Juniper, Coriander, Angelica Root, Licorice Root, Lemon Peel, Orris Root, Raspberries, Blackberries, Loganberries

This enticing gin is aged in our used bourbon barrels. During the aging process, it begins to pick up undertones of a fine whiskey and acquires a slight amber color. This three year-old old barreled gin, made from 100% white winter wheat, is distilled by hot vapor extraction with no maceration.

2019 Gold Best Gin – 50 Best