Aviation American Gin

Aviation American Gin is a modern American gin created to offer an alternative to intensely juniper-dominant styles. It is associated with Portland, Oregon, where it was originally developed and produced by House Spirits Distillery, and it helped popularize what is often described as a New Western Dry approach. The guiding idea is to keep juniper present as a structural reference while allowing a broader botanical palette to take the lead, making the spirit particularly adaptable in mixed drinks.

The botanical bill is built around a balanced combination of classic gin elements and more aromatic accents. Juniper berries remain the foundation, providing a clean pine-resin backbone. Coriander adds dry spice with a citrus-leaning lift, while cardamom contributes aromatic warmth and a lightly camphor-like freshness. Orange peel, described as a combination of sweet and bitter peel, introduces bright citrus oils and a faint bitter edge. Lavender provides a floral top note, used in a measured way to avoid turning the profile perfumed. Aniseed contributes a subtle licorice-like sweetness and aromatic depth, and sarsaparilla adds a rooty, earthy nuance that broadens the palate.

On the nose, Aviation tends to present a composed aromatic profile where citrus and floral notes appear quickly, followed by juniper and soft spice. The palate is dry and smooth, with juniper supporting rather than dominating. Coriander and orange peel shape the mid-palate with spice and citrus brightness, while cardamom and lavender add aromatic lift. Aniseed and sarsaparilla appear as gentle background notes, contributing a rounded, slightly earthy finish. The overall impression is clean and layered, with a dry, balanced conclusion.

In terms of production, Aviation is distilled as a dry gin with botanicals distilled to integrate aroma and structure. Its style is particularly well suited to cocktails where a softer juniper footprint is beneficial. It performs naturally in a Martini for drinkers who prefer a more botanical, less pine-heavy expression, and it is widely used in sours and modern classics where citrus, floral and spice notes can remain clearly defined alongside other ingredients.