Aviation Gin

Aviation is made in Portland, Oregon, under distillers Christian Krogstad and Andrew Tice, and it set the template for the smoother, less juniper-heavy American style. Cardamom, coriander, lavender, anise, sarsaparilla, juniper and orange peel macerate together for eighteen hours before distillation. Only the heart of the run is kept, the first and last fractions cut away, leaving a soft, rounded spirit with none of the rough edges.

The nose is gentle, mostly juniper. The palate is full and oily, with a cereal richness, a clear note of lavender and the liquorice lilt of anise threaded through soft juniper. The finish is long and smooth. Its mellow, floral character makes it a fine base for an Aviation cocktail, or a softer, rounder Martini for those who find classic gins too sharp.