Driftless Glen WisconGin

I must admit, as a dedicated gin enthusiast, this one took me a moment to fully appreciate. Produced about 90 minutes northeast of me in Baraboo, Wisconsin, it prominently features botanicals grown in Wisconsin. Did you know that 90% of the US ginseng crop comes from Wisconsin? I didn't either, and it also took me a while to realize the ginseng was the flavor I kept tasting but couldn't identify. It has an earthy quality with a subtle licorice note. It's not very noticeable on the nose; I mostly get spearmint and a faint hint of juniper. The palate is a blend of the refreshing sweetness of mint, the earthy anise notes from the ginseng, a mild spiciness, and a very subtle juniper presence. It's smooth, relatively light-bodied, and offers a truly distinctive flavor profile. I had some difficulty figuring out how to use this in cocktails, but I eventually found the perfect combination: a 2:1 ratio of this spirit with Cocchi vermouth and 4-5 dashes of Peychaud's, served over ice, works wonderfully.

Exceptionally smooth. 👌