PROMOTION T&F
AVIATION GIN How two innovators and Prohibition led to the first American craft gin, Aviation, named for the Aviation Cocktail, a classic cocktail from the pre-Prohibition era that evokes the Jazz Age, Art Deco, and The Great Gatsby.
A
t a party in Seattle in 2005, bartender Ryan Magarian was introduced to "summer gin" by a friend from Portland, Oregon. Struck by the subtlety of gin with less juniper, he recognised it as a movement away from traditional gin. Ryan had a growing interest in classic, pre-Prohibition cocktails, where the spirit is central and never masked, and this gin had the potential to be the perfect complement. He set off for Portland to meet the distiller. Equally passionate about his craft, Christian Krogstad had founded a craft distillery in Portland and set out to recreate a uniquely American Gin. But American gins had disappeared with Prohibition, so no one knew exactly what they tasted like. Without a precise plan, the first bartender-distiller partnership took off. Through repeated experimentation with 7 botanicals, Ryan and Christian finally arrived at a democratic blend with juniper in the background. Aviation, a gin created to be balanced, softer, smoother, and more subtle, appeals to both gin drinkers looking for a more balanced cocktail, and to people who don’t typically love gin. Every bottle of Aviation Gin is handcrafted in small 100-case batches by a small, dedicated team of master distillers in Portland. Like the world's finest gins, Aviation is distilled using a proprietary maceration process that produces a pure medley of botanical flavour. Aviation’s unique American-style gin starts with its unique blend of spices, shifting away from the usual overabundance of juniper toward a more forward balance of botanicals. Sourced from around the world, these include cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two kinds of orange peel. The botanicals are infused in a neutral spirit, and distilled in a 400-gallon stainless steel still at 173°F. After distillation, the head and tail are removed, retaining the previous heart. Pure Oregon water is added to achieve 84 proof. In February Ryan Reynolds invested in Aviation Gin after tasting it for the first time. “Aviation is the best tasting gin in the world. Once I tried it, I knew I wanted to get involved with the company in a big way.” “If you think all gin tastes the same, you’re mistaken,” said Reynolds, who enjoys Aviation on the rocks. “Aviation is in a completely different league and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of the company.” Reynolds is playing an active role in the day-to-day business and oversees creative direction as part of his mission to introduce the world to the great taste of Aviation.
Ryan Reynolds
AMERICAN GIN & TONIC 2 oz Aviation American Gin 4 oz tonic water 1 lemon wedge 1 lime wedge
BEE’S KNEES 2 oz Aviation American Gin 1 oz freshly pressed lemon juice 1 oz clover honey syrup
THE AVIATION 1.5 oz Aviation American Gin 1 tsp Crème De Violette 1/2 oz Maraschino Liqueur 3/4 freshly pressed lemon juice 1/4 oz simple syrup
THE SOUTHSIDE 2 oz Aviation American Gin 3/4 oz freshly pressed lemon juice 6 mint leaves 3/4 oz simple syrup
Aviator gin is distributed by Red October Co. Ltd. Facebook: RedOctoberMalta, www.redoctobermalta.com
ISSUE 112 SEPTEMBER 2018
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