Aviation American Gin is a rare expression of ‘New Western Dry’ style gin which uses a ‘Botanical Democracy’ favouring a balance of botanical flavours Moderately than the usual dictatorial influence of juniper.Made by House Spirits Distilling in Portland, Oregon, Aviation Gin expresses the creativity and vibrancy associated with its home in the Pacific Northwest. This leads to a rich, lush, style of gin with notes of earthy spice from sarsaparilla balanced by the fresh fragrances of cardamom, sweet orange peel and lavender. Aviation shines both on it’s own, or in any of the many vintage gin cocktails. It is actually this type of vintage cocktails after which Aviation takes it’s name. The Aviation cocktail is a blend of gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and a touch of violette liqueur. With its full and weighty mouth feel, rich earthy flavour, and cool finish, Aviation Gin is the perfect base for this vintage drink which was once first concocted in the early 1900’s- the golden era of aviation.For a delightfully different G&T, try Aviation gin topped up with good quality tonic and a dash of orange bitters garnished with a slice of orange. However, try it with elderflower tonic and a slice of cucumber.The story of Aviation Gin begins in summer, 2005 at a small party in West Seattle where bartender Ryan Magarian is handed a complex summer botanical infusion by a friend from Portland, Oregon. Finding it unlike anything he had ever tasted, he quickly seeks out its maker, Portlands House Spirits Distillery.Recognizing a common interest in spirit, cocktail, and food interactions, the distillers at House Spirits share with Ryan their idea for a renegade regional gin style. In June of 2006 after nearly 30 rounds of trialsa Aviation Gin takes wing. Many consider this to be the first brand partnership between distiller and bartender in American history.
Completely unique and actually different style of gin; with rich floral and savoury notes of lavender cardamom and sarsaparilla capturing the lushness spice creativity and freshness exhibited in the Pacific Northwest.
Made with a ‘Botanical Democracy’! Moderately than the usual ‘dictatorial’ influence of Juniper each botanical used in Aviation Gin has an influence in the overall flavour of the spirit- giving a beautiful balance and creating a new style which is referred to as New Western Dry Gin.
Aviation Gin was once the pioneer of the New Western Dry style of Gin that is becoming more popular and giving craft distillers the confidence to create gin with a more innovative and interesting flavour profile.
A collaboration between bartender Ryan Magarian and craft distillers House Spirits at their distillery in Portland Oregon. Aviation Gin was once produced specifically with cocktails and culinary pairings in mind.
The only choice of gin for an Aviation cocktail a combination of Gin Lemon juice Maraschino liqueur and Violette liqueur which was once first published in Hugo R. Ensslin’s 1916 book; Recipes for Mixed Drinks. Also implausible with Elderflower Tonic and a slice of grapefruit!