1 : Brixx Barrel Gin
oaky, velvety, rose-colored; cardamom, angelica root and coriander
Librarian’s Notes:
“It tastes like BOTH kinds of forests. The leaves kind AND the needles kinds.”
“It’s gin cinnamon. Ginnamon.”
“Realistically, this sangria of gin.”
Barrel aged in red wine casks made from French oak. A Michigan gin, single-batch; from just south of here.
We chose it because…
To lure in the wine drinkers–plus New Amsterdam is cool.
2 : Knickerbocker
traditionally dry; coriander, juniper, black pepper
Librarian’s Notes:
“The Yankee Candle Store called, and they wanted you to know the gin candle you ordered is in.”
“If you’re going to pick one Christmas tree based on a gin, let this be the gin.”
Considered one of the three best Midwestern gins. From Holland, Michigan.
We chose it because…
The gin buyer’s great-grandparents got married in the town where this was born. So, it’s family!
3 : Madam Pattirini
rich, bergamot and coriander with a ginger finish
Librarian’s Notes:
“Smells like floral candy, tastes like a pagan store.”
“Like a run through the flower fields of fancy.”
Named for Brigham Young’s 35th child, B. Morris Young, who performed in drag as “Italian Opera Diva” Madam Pattirini.
We chose it because…
This is a fucking good gin. This gin changes lives.
4 : Bilberry Black Hearts Gin
friendly, warm, bilberries
Librarian’s Notes:
“It doesn’t beat you over the head with being a gin.”
“The only thing British about this is its literary references.”
“It’s named for a Thomas Hardy quote… but no one dies at the end.”
Made at the Journeyman Distillery, in Three Oaks, MI.
We chose it because…
This is a good Michigan gin, charming and beloved to the gin-buyer.
5 : Bourbon Barrel Gin from Watershed Distillery
silky with hints of juniper
Librarian’s Notes:
“Oh! This is how you get lumberjacks and secret agents to like gin.”
Aged in a bourbon barrel, this is how you hook whiskey people on gin and gin people on whiskey.
We chose it because…
To lure in the scotch drinkers.
6 : Bombay Sapphire
bright and strongly aromatic
Librarian’s Notes:
“I drank this all the time in college because it made feel me fancy and British.”
“And now?”
“Now, I feel post-colonial about it.”“This is a gateway gin, like the wardrobe door to gin-Narnia. ‘I’m Mr. gin-Tumnus. You look malarial. Come to my cottage for gin and quinine.'”
This was the first gin that put all the botanicals on the bottle. Considered the bridge between classic and contemporary gins.
We chose it because…
This is the precursor to the craft gin craze, and deserves more credit and recognition than people give it!
7 : Farmer’s Botanical Organic Gin
classic, lemongrass and elderflower notes; organic
Librarian’s Notes:
“The margarita of gins.”
“This is making my tongue dry.”
An organic gin out of Minnesota whose botanicals include apple, hops, lavender, and mint.
An organic gin out of Minnesota whose botanicals include apple, hops, lavender, and mint.
We chose it because…
To lure in the tequila drinkers. Perhaps?
8 : The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
the most amazing bouquet, gently and pleasingly astringent
Librarian’s Notes:
“I forget how much I love this gin until it is in my mouth.”
“Very harmoniously composed.”
From an area of Scotland better known for its Scotch, with tons of collected local botanicals… including yellow bedstraw
We chose it because…
A tasty, interesting gin, popular when we ran this event in 2016.
9 : Death’s Door
loads of juniper and fennel
Librarian’s Notes:
“A gin-drinker’s gin. A super ginny-gin.”
“I taste sweet-tarts.”
“Like I got smacked in the teeth with a juniper soaked lemon. But not in a bad way.”
“This may be the best-named gin I’ve met.”
A Wisconsin gin, one of the earlier gins in the craft gin movement (established in 2006).
We chose it because…
One of the earlier craft gins, with a kick-ass name.
10 : Arbor Summer Gin
honeysuckle, hyssop, fresh-cut grass, THE PRETTIEST
Librarian’s Notes:
“All jager, no meister.”
“Tastes like a traveling apothecary’s idea of gin.”
Ann Arbor Distilling Company makes a gin for every season. Summer is yellow, spring is pink, fall is brown and winter is white.
We chose it because…
It’s interesting, it’s bright yellow, and we’re from Ann Arbor. Duh.