4 Gins That Will Make Your Friends Think You Read A Fitzgerald Novel
If you like poignant flavors, go for the juniper forward notes. If you like a hint of, phrases such as “peach blossom,” “essence of,” “light notes,” the sound of the Beach Boys, fresh croissants, and cupcakes with home-made frosting, you’re going to want to be towards the 0 side of the juniper scale.
You know when you want something and only that thing will do? A lemon in a beer doesn’t quite cut it instead of a lime, being handed a slice of peach pie isn’t the same as apple at the end of Thanksgiving dinner. The group of flavors in life that cannot be replaced.The unmistakables. These include: the bite of black licorice, the sharpness of mustard, the oiliness of herring, the playfulness of a good banana cream pie, the twang of fresh sourdough, and the sweeping sugar shock across your tongue from a scoop of rainbow sherbet. To those that love it, and those that think they hate it, gin has traditionally fallen in the category of unmistakables.
So if we told you that all gin is simply flavored vodka, you probably wouldn’t believe us. Gin has the bad reputation of having the potential to taste like a car cleaning fluid. Vodka often gets the reputation for being, if it’s any good, the magic marker version of a spirit. And you can make anything out of vodka, they say. When there’s a bottle of that around, almost any cocktail can be made, they say. And if you want to just make it simple, and put it over ice and just pour in a little tonic, that would be perfect, they say. You won’t even taste it, they say. You can notice vodka in your drink as little or as much as you want.
People think gin is intense, but they often confuse gin with the taste of juniper. You see, “gin people” are mistakenly broad stroked for juniper fans. But maybe nobody has told you the best kept secret of gin: in some of it, the Juniper is so subtle and so beautifully mixed, that you wouldn’t even know it was gin.
Now, just like you can buy cheap vodka, you can buy cheap gin. But when you buy good gin, it’s eloquent and layered; it just makes sense. Good gin is the beverage equivalent to calamari. Calamari can taste like a beach pail of muddy saltwater, or it can sizzle with high hats of chili dipping sauce, faintly reminding you of the break of an ocean wave.
Good gin is eating a piece of freshly buttered toast when it comes out of the toaster, or sliding that perfectly roasted golden marshmallow into your s’more. Gin can be made well, and made right, and when it is, it’s a diamond in the bar cart.
We have a solution for you: use our Juniper Scale to figure out which level of juniper would best suit you, then buy bottles that have character–a good place to start is craft gin.
Buying craft gin:
The bottle: Craft bottles have character. They’re hand-bottled, capped, shrunk, labeled, and packed. That means your bottle was prepared personally by one of us in the distillery. If the bottle label is a little cockeyed, it’s because hand-labeling is a heck of a chore! Like fresh fruit from a roadside stand, our product is vastly superior to anything you can get at a big box store. Nothing is wrong with grabbing a bottle from your local grocery store, as there are many great choices out of their hundreds of selections. Sometimes you can even find our stuff there too! But we know you’re here because you want to go beyond the eye-level shelf store aisle 15 horizon line.
The gin: Just like us, our spirits are a little different on the inside, too. We don’t do certain cosmetic procedures that the big boys are worried about. Other places may choose to disguise the elements that make the product look handmade. But we’re proud of what we’ve done because our product speaks for itself. While many distilleries chill filter, we don’t. All that does is remove chemical compounds produced during fermentation and maturation (such as esters, proteins and acids), but it doesn’t change the taste. We leave in the extra flavor and texture (you may see some compounds floating in your craft bottle) so you can enjoy that little extra element that is the difference between you buying a spirit to mix, and buying a bottle that you’re proud of.
BOTANICA GIN
To bring to a housewarming, a friend’s birthday, a bachelorette. If you like vanilla ice cream, like fresh florals in your house (or know somebody who does), appreciate that fresh squeeze of lime over tacos, enjoy river rafting, or will sit down on the porch with a glass of black iced tea, or if you’ve ever wondered what a Taylor Swift music video would taste like.
Juniper level: 1 out of 5
Taste: Delightfully smooth yet, brilliantly complex, Botanica combines the sweetness of vanilla bean with distinctive florals, hints of lime, and a bold black tea. With tastes of the West, a true pioneer spirit.
The DL: The longer days and evenings call out for a light and crisp libation. The history of Compound Gin had rough beginnings during Prohibition, but has grown up to be a fresh alternative to traditional pot distilled Gin. The golden color comes from a slow steeping of botanicals in a clean, neutral spirit. Aromas of the Juniper are balanced with a blend of botanicals to bring California to every cocktail.
Availability: Core Product - available year-round
ENGINE 49 “CALIFORNIA CITRUS” GIN: COMPLEX LEMONCELLO
To bring to a cookout or pool party. If you enjoy some light banjo every now and then, think it’s a shame not to order an appetizer, or find beauty in the way the light hits the field on Friday nights at the football stadium.
Juniper level: 2 out of 5
The DL: There have been various iterations of our Engine 49 Gin, so the latest bottle available is what we refer to as our “California Citrus” style. It’s a hybrid gin using two production methods. We start by vapor-path distilling more traditional gin botanicals, collecting the hearts, cutting it down to a desired infusion proof, then macerating fresh citrus peel for 24-48 hours in a compound method. This allows the juniper to play a supporting role to the showcased orange, lemon, lime and coriander.
Whiskey connoisseurs and gin aficionados alike can sit back with a glass over ice, soda water and a twist. One of the least “gin-like” gins you’ll find.
Availability: Core Product - available year-round
ENGINE 49 GOLDEN GIN: CHRISTMAS GIN
It’s like when you stick your tongue out for snowflakes, or sitting back to appreciate a classic beer, like your burger medium-rare, have perhaps considered you were or could have been a pioneer in your past life, and would never really consider swapping the fries out with a salad, or just already straight up know you like juniper:
Juniper level: 3 out of 5
Profile: Anise and mint are front and center, with juniper and citrus flavors supporting. This allows the spirit to be served over ice or in a host of cocktails depending on desired outcome. If you keep in mind the anise and mint flavors, it’s a very easy spirit bottle to use.
The DL: Engine 49 California Gold Gin has a beautiful golden color that lets you know you're about to drink something different, almost reminiscent of freshly baked Gingerbread. Produced as our first gin, the juniper, spearmint and star anise to come together to form the perfect holy trinity that reminds us of Christmas in a bottle. Just like a hint of cinnamon in your cake, bread, cookies, or even those cinnamon ornaments to hang on your tree, Engine 49 Golden Gin adds so much to the holiday season.
Availability: Less than 72 bottles left, once we sell out, that’s all she wrote!
BOTANICA VS
If you like Enya, rainy days, dark chocolate brownies, the smell of freshly cut grass, or have a specific spot to store your backpacking gear, have been to our thought of going to the Dakotas, and are drawn to words such as “lavender infused”, “natural” or “hand-crafted”.
Juniper level: 3 out of 5
Profile: Soft floral chamomile, sweet, earthy root blends with a burst of citrusy lemongrass, refreshing & herbaceous mint & juniper.
The DL: Like a holiday romance or the lifespan of the mayfly, Botanica VS is a poetic expression of temporality…once it’s gone, it’s gone forever, or until next year.
Botanica is a blend of green tea-like botanicals steeped in a wine based neutral spirit similar to how one would make sun tea!The golden color comes from the botanicals as they soak in the spirit to gently impart the aroma and taste. This slow process allows each flavor to balance with the others while allowing the Juniper to be a supporting role. This is not a bottle that works well in a classic G & T, too medicinal. You have to play with the mint for a refreshing change on the expected gin profile. Cocktail favorites include plays on the classic Mojito, boozy lemonades or simply mixing with specialty sodas & shrubs. Pairs well with cucumber, lavender, ginger and fresh mint.
Availability: Seasonal release dates February - May