Kyrö Dark Gin

Kyrö Distillery Company in Finland built its name on rye, and Kyrö Dark Gin is the barrel-aged expression of that obsession. Made entirely from wholegrain rye, which lends a peppery base, it carries 17 botanicals including orange, honey, birch leaves and sea buckthorn, then spends two to three months in American oak. That maturation is the trick: it draws out soft vanilla and caramel while keeping the spirit dry. It is vegan and gluten-free besides.

The nose runs juniper, ripe orange and birch wood over subtle honey and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied and spicy with rye, fresh citrus, herbs and a light oak character, leading to a long, dry finish of vanilla, gentle caramel and a whisper of roast. Stir it into a barrel-aged Negroni, or build a dark gin old fashioned with an orange twist.