Barr Hill Gin
Caledonia Spirits · Barr Hill Distillery, Montpelier, Vermont
Barr Hill proves that complexity doesn't require a botanical bill as long as your arm. Two ingredients — juniper and raw honey — sound impossibly simple, until you realize that Vermont's raw wildflower honey is itself a symphony of over a hundred pollen sources.
Nose
Bright, resinous juniper arrives first, then a warm wave of wildflower honey, subtle floral nectar, and a surprising peppery spice.
Palate
Clean, assertive juniper leads with a herbaceous, almost waxy quality, then the raw honey unfolds: warm sweetness, floral complexity, a gentle ginger-like warmth.
Finish
Medium-long and evolving: the juniper recedes, honey warmth lingers, and a final floral note appears that wasn't present on the palate.
- Botanicals
- Juniper and raw Vermont wildflower honey (just two ingredients)
- Base Spirit
- Grain neutral spirit
- Distillation
- Single distillation in a custom-built botanical extraction still with hand-crushed juniper
Cocktail Suggestion
Cocktail — The Bee's Knees (Barr Hill Edition): Combine 2 oz Barr Hill Gin, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.75 oz raw honey syrup (3:1 honey to warm water). Shake with ice and strain into a coupe.
Food Pairing
Pair with: Aged Manchego with honeycomb and marcona almonds — the cheese's nuttiness and the honeycomb's sweetness create a bridge to the gin's two core ingredients.
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