All of the spirits at 45th Parallel distillery are made from local corn. The bottle proudly declares “No Purchased NGS.” It’s not that you can’t make a good gin from NGS— you can!— but it takes a different set of skills to start from scratch, and make a good gin. Those who choose this path deserve recognition for choosing what may be a more difficult path.
Their Artisan Premium Gin begins from local corn, and includes a short, traditional list of botanicals. It is then rested in barrels that held their Red Fife Whiskey and bottled at 43% ABV.
Tasting notes
Color: Beige and perfectly transparent
Aroma: Delicately honeyed and slightly floral. Hint of subtle chamomile, thistle and cornbread.
Flavor: There’s a subtle sweetness present on first sip. Spices make up the heart of this gin, with notes of cinnamon coffee cake, hints of caramel and maple, and a creamy, vanilla-kissed finish. Soft, green juniper lands as a background note that starts early and hangs on through the finish.
45th Parallel Artisan Premium Gin has a smooth, soft mouthfeel— it highlights the high quality base spirit, but also the restrained influence of the barrel. It’s soft with very little astringency or tannin character.
Finish: Smooth and soft with a touch of green juniper, vanilla, and quiet oak. Moderately long at a low volume. Quite nice.
Cocktails and suggested serves
45th Parallel Artisan Premium Gin is great sipped neat or on the rocks. The gin has plenty of subtle sweetness on its own, though that can be amplified in an Old Fashioned.
While aged, 45th Parallel Artisan Premium Gin is not very barrel forward, which gives it a flexibility in regular cocktails that not a lot of aged gins have. I recommend trying it in a Negroni or Martinez, though I think experimentation beyond that might also yield more successful cocktails. Perhaps a Last Word or White Lady?
Overall, 45th Parallel Artisan Premium Gin
45th Parallel have done a nice job— the botanicals are nicely balanced and combine well with the restrained aging. Vanillin from the barrel elevates some of the spice forward botanicals. The floral nose is surprising and inviting. Some might want bolder juniper; however, the overall gin builds a nice balance and successful well-rounded flavor around the juniper level chosen.
Bartenders will appreciate 45th Parallel Artisan Premium Gin’s flexibility behind the bar— especially for a category that isn’t often a focus of cocktail programs.
If you’ve been burnt by aged gins in the past and you’re looking to give the style a second chance, 45th Parallel Artisan Premium Gin might be the one to try.
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