Bluebird Barrel-Rested American Gin

The final stage of Bluebird Barrel-RestedBarrel-aged ginGin rested for a while in wooden casks. It picks up a golden colour and notes of vanilla, spice or the wine that filled the cask before.GlossarySee Barrel-aged gin gins American Gin takes place in freshly emptied Four Grain Bourbon and Wheat Whiskey barrels. Before that rest, Bluebird distils its base spirit from scratch and redistils it with citrus, juniper and spices. Bottled at 45% ABV, the gin carries its barrel time through the aroma and palate without losing its botanical identity. The distillery's tasting notes describe light honey, citrus and lemon on the nose, then candy, juniper and citrus on the palate, with honeysuckle and vanilla in the finish.

Citrus · Woody · Spicy · Vanilla

Citrus is the first clear impression, followed by juniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary and the warmth of spice. The barrel adds a softer layer: vanilla and honeyed notes round the palate, while oak lends a dry, lightly toasted edge. The profile does not need to become heavy to feel mature; the gin remains bright enough for a highballHighballA long drink served in a tall, straight glass with plenty of ice: a spirit topped with soda or tonic. The word also names the glass.Glossary, but it also has the weight to be sipped neat or used in a spirit-forward cocktail. The contrast between fresh citrus and the sweeter impressions of vanilla, honeysuckle and candy gives each sip a different emphasis.

This is a distinct gin in the Bluebird range because both its distillation and its resting stage contribute to the final character. The base spirit is made by the distillery, redistilled with the named botanical elements, then placed in recently emptied barrels that previously held the distillery's bourbon and wheat whiskey. The cask speaks through the notes it leaves rather than through a number. At the table, orange, aged cheeses or a dessert with toasted nuts can echo its citrus-and-oak profile.

Pour 4.5 cl over ice into a balloon glassCopa glassA large stemmed balloon glass, popularised by the Spanish gin and tonic: it stays cold for longer and gathers the aromas above the drink.Glossary and add 12 cl of Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic WaterMediterranean tonicA tonic with less bitterness and sugar, scented with herbs and citrus (rosemary, thyme, lemon). It leaves more room for the gin's botanicals.Glossary. Place an orange twistTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary and a few juniper berries in the drink, then repeat those garnishes on a small plate beside the glass. The tonic's restrained citrus and herbal notes complement the cask without adding heavy sweetness. The orange oil bridges the fresh botanical side and the vanilla-oak finish; one careful stir is enough to bring them together.