American Gins: Top Gins from the Northeast

The Joseph Magnus Distillery is part of the burgeoning Washington DC craft spirit scene which has come to prominence in the past years. The name relates to an old capital city brand that was lost to America’s Prohibition. Although a new venture, there are many seasoned vets behind the project and the namesake Magnus family is involved in the brand’s relaunch. The stated goal is to create a London Dry-style gin that would be well-placed in classic cocktails

First released in 2005, Bluecoat American Dry Gin is distilled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is made from a neutral grain spirit base which uses rye, corn, wheat, and barley. Juniper, coriander seed, citrus peel, and angelica root are known botanicals and all are 100% organic. The distillery relocated to the Fishtown neighborhood in Philly in September 2016.

Saxtons River Distillery in Brattleboro, Vermont produces this vacuum-distilled American dry gin made from 100% neutral grain spirit. This method of steeping the botanicals does so at a lower atmospheric pressure, resulting in a much lower boiling point during distillation, and allows the spirit to retain more delicate notes and flavors. The botanical lineup is comprised of: coriander, juniper, thyme, star anise, cocoa, orris root, cardamom, sarsaparilla root, rosemary, allspice, fennel seed, grains of paradise, orange peel, Damiana leaf, caraway seed, anise seed, and ginger. It is bottled at 44.5% ABV.

Hailing from the nation’s capital, this craft gin features a distillate base of 63% rye, 26% corn, and a rich 11% malted barley. The botanical program prominently features the necessary juniper and the unique addition of local spicebush — a member of the laurel family with aromatic berries — along with coriander, grains of paradise, angelica, fennel, licorice, orris root, lemon peel, and lemongrass. The distillery focuses on grain and distillation also producing vodka and whiskey. Note: This product received a makeover with new packaging and "District Made" added to Ivy City Gin.

Green Hat Classic Gin is distilled in Washington, DC from a mash of winter wheat in a copper pot still. Its botanicals are suspended within the still for the final distillation.

Tamworth Garden's Flora Gin blends New Hampshire botanicals with traditional gin ingredients. From New Hampshire comes geranium, violet, lemon verbena, elderflower, and red clover; juniper and coriander provide traditional gin flavors, and there is also a touch of honey.

Neversink Gin is made from apples grown in a single orchard in New York state. The apple-based spirit is macerated with juniper berries for 24 hours then distilled through eleven botanicals: juniper, coriander, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon, orris root, angelica root, elderflower, and fresh orange, lemon and grapefruit peels. The resulting gin is bottled at 43% ABV.

Named after writer, poet, and gin enthusiast Dorothy Parker, this American gin is made with several botanicals, including juniper, elderberries, citrus, cinnamon and hibiscus petals. These botanicals are added to a neutral spirit made from New York-grown grain. Distilled and bottled at New York Distilling Co. located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Perry's Tot Gin, created by the Brooklyn-based New York Distilling Company, was originally developed while the distillery was creating its initial gin product. The distillery originally planned to create only one version of gin, but decided to produce multiple styles, including this product. This gin is named after Matthew Perry, a 19th Century US Navy Commodore who was once Commander of the Brooklyn Naval shipyard. It is also named for a "tot" - a sailor's daily ration of alcohol. Made with eight botanicals - juniper, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, lemon, orange and grapefruit peel, and wild flower honey - this gin is bottled at 57% ABV.

Former Wall Street employee and gin enthusiast Steven DeAngelo and his brother Phillip, originally started Greenhook Ginsmiths in 2008. However, due to the aftermath of the economic recession that year, the Brooklyn-based distillery didn't release its first gin until four years later. Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin is made with a base spirit distilled from New York-grown wheat. Eight botanicals - juniper, coriander, chamomile, elderflower, citrus, blue ginger, cinnamon, orris root and elderberry - are then vacuum-distilled with the base spirit. The gin is then bottled at 47% ABV.

The Revivalist gins are crafted at the Brandywine Branch Distillery in Pennsylvania not far from Philadelphia. Their four core gins represent a seasonal approach to gin making with the Equinox representing a springtime expression. The distillers employ some classic botanicals with a focus on citrus that are joined by more the uncommon botanicals of meadowsweet and hyssop. Fermentation occurs in custom Douglas Fir wash backs and distillation occurs in custom CARL pot/column hybrid stills.

Caledonia Spirits was founded by Todd Hardie, a former farmer & beekeeper who started the distillery in 2008 as a way to support the local agricultural community. The distillery is now under the leadership of owner and head distiller Ryan Christiansen, who purchased the company in 2015. Barr Hill Gin uses a pure grain spirit before juniper berry is added during distillation in a custom-built extraction still. Prior to bottling, raw northern honey is added to the spirit. It's bottled at 45% ABV.