Ramps are these pungent, highly seasonal wild onions that grow widely in damp, forested areas on the American East Coast. They are highly celebrated by chefs during their brief season each spring— some might even describe them as a delicacy. Isolation Proof’s Ramp Gin celebrates this seasonal onion with an Allium-centric botanical bill that also includes leeks and green onions.
Isolation Proof is located in Upstate New York. They have several other seasonal gins in their lineup that celebrate local Catskills wild ingredients, like mushrooms as well.
They further embody their commitment to local, sustainable ecosystems by distilling their spirit from whey.
Tasting notes
Color: Delicate sea foam green and perfectly clear (yes that color is the gin, not the bottle)
Aroma: Highly savory. Strong notes of garlic, scallion with an earthy nuttiness— hints of forest floor and peanut.
Flavor: Early, earthy rich green onion. The garlicky notes of ramps are most prominent up front.
Behind the garlic and onion entry, some more traditional gin notes begin to build. Coriander and citrus zest chiefly. But then the herbal, vegetal and green notes begin to come through again. This time, a bit a bit less onion and more green salad.
Note of fresh green spinach, peppery arugula ease into a radiant glow of peppercorn, and faint juniper
Finish: Long and bold with a fresh cracked black peppercorn glow. It does feel like it leaves a touch of onion in the back of the palate. I could imagine not sipping this one on a date night. Mild-to-moderate warmth with a soft texture.
Cocktails and suggested serves
This seems perfectly designed for an array of savory gin cocktails. Try this in a bloody mary or red snapper. The soft whey spirit also lends itself nicely to an array of Martini-like cocktails, including but not limited to the Gibson.
But that being said? I’d stick to savoy drinks. I’m not sure the onion compliments the lemon in a Tom Collins, the Campari in a Negroni or even the sweetness of tonic water in a Gin and Tonic.
Ramp Gin is specifically designed for savory uses. It’s almost designed so specifically for those applications that it doesn’t work in most gin cocktails.
Overall, Ramp Gin
Fun, unique, memorable and one-of-a-kind. Don’t buy it expecting an everyday gin. Buy it for specific, savory applications. Bartenders should be cautious and only pour it in those specific instances.
Within the boundaries of this unique botanical bill— Ramp Gin is a gorgeous celebration. It’s a botanical spirit that celebrates the ramp in all of its glory.
Here’s the fine print though: juniper is definitely present but its overshadowed by the ramp. Ramps are the star. This could have just as easily been a botanical ramp spirit. Some will find this wanting more push from juniper.
Overall, Ramp Gin is a celebration of ramps that pushes the boundaries of what gin can be. It’s more culinary than cocktail, but evaluated based on execution and flavor— not for how well it works in a Negroni— Ramp Gin is a triumph.
Not for everyone, but for those with specific goals in mind, Ramp Gin is highly recommended.