Southwick's American Gin

Three separate distillations make up Southwick's American Gin. Veritable Distillery, in Stonington, Connecticut, macerates juniper and distils it on its own, prepares a Base Note macerationMacerationBotanicals soak in alcohol, from a few hours to several days, before distillation to release their aromas.Glossary of liquorice root and rhubarb root, and passes grapefruit peel, pink peppercorn and nutmeg through vapour for a Top Note, then blends the three.

Citrus · Dry · Spicy · Earthy

Fractional distillation lets the distiller set depth, weight and fragrance independently, rather than hoping a single charge gets all three right. The juniper fraction carries the clear pine line. The roots give the middle of the palate a dry, rounded weight, liquorice adding texture more than sweetness and rhubarb root an earthy edge. The vapour-infusedVapour infusionBotanicals sit in a basket above the liquid, so only the alcohol vapour passes through them, for a lighter, fresher extraction.Glossary top note keeps grapefruit and pink peppercorn bright, with nutmeg adding warmth underneath. Because each distillate can be judged before blending, no single spice takes over, and the fresh top notes stay separate from the denser roots.

The base is a cane spirit, and the gin is bottled at 46%, or 92 proofProofThe American measure of alcohol strength: twice the ABV (90 proof = 45% ABV).Glossary, in 700 ml. It was one of Veritable Distillery's first two releases, launched in March 2025 alongside Ship's Bell Bourbon, and the distillery was founded by Bailey Pryor, who also founded The Real McCoy Rum. The producer voluntarily prints the ingredients and serving advice on the label, an unusually open choice for a spirits brand.

On the palate, grapefruit is vivid at first, followed by pepper and an earthy root character, and the finish stays warm, firm and long. A measured long drink suits this detailed construction. Pour Fever-Tree Indian Tonic WaterIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary, 10 cl of it, over 4 cl of gin on plenty of ice, then add a pink grapefruit peel and a few pink peppercorns, both taken straight from the top note of the recipe. A few minutes over ice reveal the blend more clearly than heavy dilutionDilutionThe water added by melting ice. In the right amount it opens the aromas and softens the alcohol; too much flattens the drink.Glossary.