IL - Spirits Portfolio

GIN

BOOMSMA HOLLAND, LEEUWARDEN Family-owned Boo msma is the most traditional of the Dutch Genever-style gins made from malted barley distillate and a delicate juniper berry infusion. Boomsma Jonge Genever 80PF / 750ML Light and elegant... The palate sets this genever apart from average gin: the botanicals are delicate and subtle, this is a satisfyingly full-bodied yet incredibly smooth spirit. Its delicate blend of botanicals is best savored on the rocks, though it makes an excellent cocktail. 90pts Excellent/ Highly Recommended, Wine Enthusiast Oude Fine Old Genever 80PF / 750ML A rich, full-bodied spirit crafted with wheat spirit, malt distillate, and oak barrel aging. While it displays all the juniper notes you could hope for in a genever, it also integrates rich vanilla, apple, and baking spice notes. 94pts Excellent Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2016

CALEDONIA SPIRITS USA, VERMONT Caledonia Spirits founder Todd Hardie spent five decades as a beekeeper before deciding to incorporate his raw Northeastern honey into craft spirits. Rooted in the traditions of Vermont agriculture and beekeeping, the company’s mission is to create their spirits while supporting the sustainable production of honey, food crops, dairy, and plants. This gin is a celebration of Caledonia’s special connection to the land. They use pure grain spirits as a canvas to showcase juniper berry and raw northern honey. Added just before bottling, the raw honey imparts unique floral qualities that vary with season and blossom. Double Gold Medal 2012 NY Intnl. Spirits Competition Tom Cat Barrel Aged Gin 86PF / 750ML An expedition into uncharted territories, once distilled, Tom Cat is aged in new American oak barrels for a bolder expression. The robust character of the oak mingles with the coniferous juniper, yielding an enticing aroma. A touch of raw honey leaves this revolutionary spirit remarkably approachable. When the world called for whiskey, we answered resolutely with gin. BROVO USA, WASHINGTON BroVo is a collaborative, experimental distillery. We believe in the ingenuity of bartenders, they tell us their needs, they author our recipes, they use our spirits. This is one of our quality base spirits, with volume in mind. Brovo Gin 80PF / 1.0L Juniper, lemon peel, coriander, angelica, licorice root, rose buds, cardamom. Barr Hill Gin 90PF / 750ML

SOUTHSIDE COCKTAIL 2 oz. Boomsma Oude Genever 3/4oz Fresh Lime Juice 1/2oz Simple Syrup Shake with ice; strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with mint.

Top 10 Gin Botanicals What these top 10 botanicals have in common is that they’ve all been used in gins for centuries, some even common in 17th and 18th century gins.

#5 ORANGE …the world of orange in gin is complicated. #6 ORRIS ROOT The inclusion of dried Orris Root likely owes a debt to the world of perfumery. #7 C ARDAMOM This might be the biggest mover on the list in the past decade. #8 LICORICE (CHIEFLY ROOTS) D id you know that Licorice, owing to its strong flavor, and slight sweetness, is in Old Tom style gins. #9 C ASSIA Cassia is sometimes referred to as cinnamon, especially in the United States. #10 T RUE CINNAMON Cinnamon comes from the Cinnamomum verum tree. It is native to Sri Lanka

#1 JUNIPER Juniper could be found at Paloelithic sites across Europe 10,000 years ago. People burnt juniper for its distinctive piney aroma. There are believed to be somewhere between 50–67 species of juniper in the world. According to E.U. law, gin must be predominantly flavored by Juniprus communis. U.S. laws don’t specify the species. As it only says “juniper berries,” Juniper is what gives gin its distinctive flavor. Without juniper… you don’t have gin. When you have juniper, technically, you have gin. #2 C ORIANDER Coriander are the seeds of the Cilantro plant. #3 ANGELICA (PRIMARILY ROOT) Angelica is the third ingredient in the “holy trinity” of gin, which includes coriander and juniper. #4 L EMON Did you know that the lemon is probably a hybrid of a bitter orange and the citron?

These top 10 are only the tip of the iceberg… Sorry, Lavender. Maybe next year. — THEGINISIN.COM

ILLINOIS SPIRITS PORTFOLIO

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