Gin Notes: Aviation Gin

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Mar 6th 2007 @ 4:32PM

Aviation Gin is 42% abv. / 84 proof and made by House Spirits Distilling in Portland, Oregon. The botanicals are Juniper, Cardamom, Coriander, Lavender, Anise Seed, Sasparilla, and dried orange peel. Interestingly it is made from 100% rye grain neutral spirits.

This is a medium bodied gin that you can feel the weight of on your tongue with its almost syrupy presence. It is smooth, lush, and pervasive in your mouth. The aroma is solidly fragrant, even perfumey, with a mix of floral, not spicy juniper; with spicier notes coming from cardamom, anise, and lavender.

The taste is bold but smooth, and on the sweet side. A mix of juniper, anise, cardamom, with a little lavender. Some citrus notes edge in here and there and the finish is very long and gradually drying and spicy, with some of that sarsparilla wafting along at the tail end. Aviation is a real tongue tingler.

Aviation Gin describes themselves as a "classic Dutch-style gin." I am not sure I would use those terms because the flavor of malted grains doesn't come through as in many Dutch Gins and Genevers. Personally I feel that this is one of the new style of big and bold, lush and smooth, premium, well crafted aromatic gins that have hit the market lately. Others in the same style that come to mind are G'Vine and Bluecoat.

I do have to say that I am impressed with this big gin, a really big gin with almost overwhelming botanicals. If you like Genevers and Dutch style gins, you will probably like this. If subtle is the name of the game for you, then step away from the Aviation. I happily enjoy both styles and so can sip this gin straight in a snifter, or on the rocks. I think it will work very well in cocktails from what I have tasted in just a simple martini. Either this needs to be the main spirit in a cocktail, or used as a spice and herb component to complement floral or citrus tastes. I look forward to trying an Aviation Cocktail made with Aviation Gin some time soon.

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