Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat Gin
Goodjuice Rating: 8
Summary: Highly recommended for exceptional flavor and production transparency
Distillery: Caledonia Spirits, Montpelier, Vermont, USA
Full Review:
The story of Caledonia Spirits begins with an unlikely duo: a beekeeper and a distiller. In the heart of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, a region known for its rugged natural beauty, Todd Hardie, a fourth-generation beekeeper, and Ryan Christiansen, a distiller with a passion for craft spirits, came together with a shared vision to create something truly unique. They combined Todd's raw honey, harvested from his beehives, with Ryan's expertise in distilling to create a gin that was unlike anything else on the market. And so, in 2011, Caledonia Spirits was born. From its humble beginnings, the distillery has grown into a beloved Vermont institution, known for its commitment to using local ingredients and sustainable practices.
The company's flagship product is Barr Hill Gin (named after a nearby nature preserve), which boasts a botanical list of just two ingredients - juniper and raw honey.
The Reserve Tom Cat gin, takes this gin to new heights by undergoing a 6 month aging process in new American oak casks.
So what’s in the bottle? Let’s find out.
As I study and taste the Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat gin, I am immediately drawn in by its complex aroma. The pine, eucalyptus, cedar, oak, and hickory blend together to create a captivating fragrance. However, it takes some effort to navigate through the spruce scent to appreciate the subtleties of the botanicals and spices present.
Moving onto the taste, I am impressed by the strong pine flavor that is bold and assertive, followed by a delicate balance of honey, oak, pepper, caramel, orange, vanilla, and a hint of smoke, stunningly rich and complex.
As I take another sip, the Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat gin leaves behind a lingering, syrupy sensation that is sharp and invigorating. It demands attention and appreciation, and I find myself savoring the long finish of each sip.