Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery's Back River Gin is 43% abv. / 86 proof and is hand made on a family farm converted into a small winery and distillery in the town of Union, Maine. The botanicals used in Back River Gin are Juniper, Angelica root, Coriander seeds, Cassia (cinnamon), dried lemon peel, ginger root, and for a unique twist, wild Maine blueberries harvested from just down the road from the distillery.I first tasted Back River Gin directly in the distillery just a few days ago as I had the luck of sampling the first bottling they have made. The aroma struck me instantly as I lifted the glass to my nose. I was completely entranced, more so than with any other gin I have smelled before. I didn't even take my first sip until I enjoyed the aroma for several minutes, taking deep breaths through my nose as it was pressed deep into the glass.
The smell is quite complex. A pleasantly musky base overlain with juniper and a myriad spicy and floral scents. Hints of citrus, spices of all kinds, and the barely evident cinnamon showed through well. There was even a tiny bit of an anise aroma in there, combined with luscious and complex scents that I can't even name or place. I said entranced before, but I really do mean it. I was spellbound by the fabulous aroma of this gin. More so than any I have smelled before.
The taste more than did justice to the aroma. Spices, juniper, citrus, hints of fruit, and a deep musky taste pleasantly coursed over my tongue and across my palate. Filling my mouth and nose with a fabulous head-filling melange of flavors, aromas, and sparking my emotions heatedly. I was completely taken aback.
I just moved to mid-coast Maine a few weeks ago, after vacationing here almost every summer for my entire life. My family lived in Maine from the late 1600's until the early 1900's when they moved away for several generations. I have lived and traveled all over the US and World, but I love this part of the country more than anywhere else. Even the energy of New York City where I grew up and always called my home, can't compare. The beauty of the craggy coast with its numerous lighthouses and the varying weather. The gently rolling woods and farmland that runs right up to the coast. For the rest of my days I am going to associate this gin with all the complex emotions of moving to, and living for the first time, in a part of the country I love so much.
I just moved to mid-coast Maine a few weeks ago, after vacationing here almost every summer for my entire life. My family lived in Maine from the late 1600's until the early 1900's when they moved away for several generations. I have lived and traveled all over the US and World, but I love this part of the country more than anywhere else. Even the energy of New York City where I grew up and always called my home, can't compare. The beauty of the craggy coast with its numerous lighthouses and the varying weather. The gently rolling woods and farmland that runs right up to the coast. For the rest of my days I am going to associate this gin with all the complex emotions of moving to, and living for the first time, in a part of the country I love so much.
Back River Gin is a brand new entry into the world of premium gin. Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery just opened to the public for business less than three weeks ago, on Memorial Day Weekend 2007, and their gin is going to go head to head against the best in the world. It is the first and only winery / distillery combination to be found in Maine.
This is a super premium, hand crafted, artisanal, micro-batch gin. Yes, micro-batch. This is the new term being bandied about in the spirit world, for a spirit made in very small batches of 15-50 gallons at a time. The winery and distillery are run by the husband and wife team, Keith and Constance Bodine. Keith, a veteran winemaker and distiller who has been highly praised by Wine Spectator magazine, is doing the winemaking and distilling; while Constance helps out with the million others things it takes to run a family winery and distillery. I can't praise this gin enough. You will really have to try it to see just how excellent it really is.
The first batch was distilled in April 2007. Four micro-batches were separately distilled, then blended to make the first release. The distillation runs were from 15 to 50 gallons each and after blending and setting the proof about 100 cases of Back River Gin were bottled for the first time.
When asked how he got into distilling gin, Keith said, "I have always enjoyed gin and wanted to make it when I worked at Nashoba Valley in MA. Never got to it there but after some successful test runs in the lab I was hooked. Also, it turns out that one of my ancestors was a successful distiller in Holland around the time that gin was 'invented,' so it must be in my blood." I asked Keith about the name of the gin and about the label and he told me that the name of the gin comes from Constance's family home, which is located on Back River (a section of the Shepscot River) in Boothbay, ME. The label is a portion of a photo Keith took of ice crystals along the edge of Back River at low tide.
Sweetgrass Winery and Distillery
325 Carroll Road
Union, ME 04862
207-785-3024
This is a super premium, hand crafted, artisanal, micro-batch gin. Yes, micro-batch. This is the new term being bandied about in the spirit world, for a spirit made in very small batches of 15-50 gallons at a time. The winery and distillery are run by the husband and wife team, Keith and Constance Bodine. Keith, a veteran winemaker and distiller who has been highly praised by Wine Spectator magazine, is doing the winemaking and distilling; while Constance helps out with the million others things it takes to run a family winery and distillery. I can't praise this gin enough. You will really have to try it to see just how excellent it really is.
The first batch was distilled in April 2007. Four micro-batches were separately distilled, then blended to make the first release. The distillation runs were from 15 to 50 gallons each and after blending and setting the proof about 100 cases of Back River Gin were bottled for the first time.
When asked how he got into distilling gin, Keith said, "I have always enjoyed gin and wanted to make it when I worked at Nashoba Valley in MA. Never got to it there but after some successful test runs in the lab I was hooked. Also, it turns out that one of my ancestors was a successful distiller in Holland around the time that gin was 'invented,' so it must be in my blood." I asked Keith about the name of the gin and about the label and he told me that the name of the gin comes from Constance's family home, which is located on Back River (a section of the Shepscot River) in Boothbay, ME. The label is a portion of a photo Keith took of ice crystals along the edge of Back River at low tide.
Sweetgrass Winery and Distillery
325 Carroll Road
Union, ME 04862
207-785-3024
6-18-2007 @12:55PM Austin said... Glad you're in Maine permanently. I've been here for 25 years and I couldn't think to live anywhere else.
Does Back River Gin have a distributor?
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6-19-2007 @9:50AM Jon said... That's awesome! My girlfriend's family lives a bit north of Union, near Belfast. We're definitely stopping at that distillery next time we go up there.
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6-20-2007 @9:40AM Keith said... Our Back River Gin is available through Maine's state control system. Any licensed store can order it. Or you are welcome to visit us at the distillery. Cheers, Keith
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