USA TODAY 10Best
Readers vote Revivalist Botanical Gins Best Craft Gin Distillery
Best Craft Gin Distillery (2021)
Gin gets its name from "Genievre," the French word for juniper. This globally popular spirit begins with a neutral base spirit distilled with an array of botanicals–not just juniper berries these days–to give it its distinct aroma and flavor profile.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Craft Gin Distillery are as follows:
Photo courtesy of Caledonia Spirits
No. 10: Barr Hill - Montpelier, Vermont
Barr Hill Gin, craft distilled by Caledonia Spirits, uses pure grain spirits infused with juniper berry and raw northern honey, added just before bottling to impart a subtle floral quality. Tom Cat Gin gets barrel-aged for four to six months in new charred American oak to give it whiskey-like notes.
Photo courtesy of Limestone Branch
No. 9: Limestone Branch - Lebanon, Kentucky
Created at the Limestone Branch Distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky, Bowling & Burch is a small-batch gin made with a combination of agriculture and experimentation. Nineteen different botanicals, many grown at the distillery, are blended to produce this high-quality gin. With herbal notes of rosemary, thyme, and a variety of citrus, plus other botanicals such as honeysuckle and lemon verbena, this botanical blend has been called “a garden party in a glass.”
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Sea Spirits
No. 8: FY Gin by Hawaii Sea Spirits - Hawaii
Utilizing a new process of making gin spirits, FY Gin, made at Hawaii Sea Spirits, adds a variety of flavors during their distillation process rather than the traditional process, which predominantly adds juniper during distillation. This “Hawai’i Wet” process incorporates the sweetness of sugar cane, the sourness of lime, the bitterness of juniper, the umami of lavender, and the saltiness of ginger into an exceptional product. Enjoy this balanced and complex aromatic tasting experience when you enjoy a glass of their organic gin.
Photo courtesy of Alpine Distilling
No. 7: Alpine Distilling - Park City, Utah
Alpine Distilling’s Summit Gin is distilled in a handmade Detroit still using vapor extraction to yield a balanced gin perfect for both sipping or mixing. The botanical spread includes juniper berry, coriander seed, angelica root, ginger, cardamom and citrus peel.
Photo courtesy of McClintock Distilling
No. 6: McClintock Distilling - Frederick, Maryland
Gin enthusiasts have three varieties to choose from at McClintock Distilling. The botanical-forward Forager Gin is vapor-infused with ingredients inspired by the Appalachian wilderness. The bright and light Gardener’s Gin is made with citrus peel, lavender, cucumber and hibiscus, and rests in Madeira wine casks. Sipping-style McClintock’s Reserve rests in XO cognac casks imported from France.
Photo courtesy of voloshin311 // Getty Images
No. 5: Young & Yonder - Healdsburg, CA
Young and Yonder’s family-owned and operated distillery in the heart of Sonoma County, California, offers a modern craft gin they call H.O.B.S., or Harbor of Broken Souls. With its balance of citrus, floral elements, and rich juniper, its name pays tribute to the long-standing connection between gin and its role in naval history. The gin is handcrafted with the finest ingredients and includes non-GMO corn and 4x filtered water.
Photo courtesy of Tawni Leigh Photo Co // Backwards Distilling Company
No. 4: Backwards Distilling Company - Mills, Wyoming
Backwards Distilling Company offers two craft gins from their distillery in Casper, Wyoming. Contortionist Gin still features juniper as a primary component but gives substantial attention to other botanical flavors. Its distinctive blend of lemon, orange, and grapefruit citrus flavors brings a new dimension to the creation of delicious gin cocktails. On the other hand, the Strongman Gin offers no subtle or mild flavors but reminds the drinker of a trip to the woods with the smells of juniper and the tastes of the sap and resin of pine trees.
Photo courtesy of Green Hat Distillery
No. 3: Green Hat Distillery - Washington, DC
Green Hat Distillery specializes in gins distilled in small batches from grain and botanicals, each bottle individually numbered. The distillery makes its flagship Green Hat Gin, as well as a Navy strength gin and two seasonal gins (one for spring and summer and the other for fall and winter).
Photo courtesy of Gray Whale Gin
No. 2: Gray Whale Gin - Sebastopol, California
Gray Whale Gin begins with a six-times distilled corn spirit, infused with organic-farmed and wild-foraged botanicals in the potstill or a vapor basket. The spirit then undergoes a seven-step botanical distillation. One percent of sales go toward environmental causes.
Photo courtesy of Revivalist Botanical Gins
No. 1: Revivalist Botanical Gins - Elverson, Pennsylvania
Housed in what they affectionately have nicknamed the "Hippie Barn," the Revivalists are shaking things up with their award-winning gin. The philosophy behind their dry, juniper-forward gins is "is rooted in radical curiosity, bold experimentation, and love for one-of-a-kind experiences.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning distilleries!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Brian Christensen
Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan... Read More
Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan Spirit Magazine, the most trusted distilling trade journal in America, and the Still Talking Podcast, an irreverent distilling podcast his wife won’t even listen to. He is a member of multiple industry committees, advisor boards, and spirits competitions around the country. Brian is lucky enough to spend his days working with distillers, suppliers, state guilds, and industry associations around the world to tell stories that both inform and educate.
Brian Christensen
Brian Christensen is the co-founder of Artisan Spirit Magazine, the most trusted distilling trade journal in America, and the Still Talking Podcast, an irreverent distilling podcast his wife won’t even listen to. He is a member of multiple industry committees, advisor boards, and spirits competitions around the country. Brian is lucky enough to spend his days working with distillers, suppliers, state guilds, and industry associations around the world to tell stories that both inform and educate.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel... Read More
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist... Read More
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean. She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. Melanie is a contributor to USA TODAY Travel and CaribbeanTravel.com, she covers the Caribbean for Montreal's The Suburban newspaper and she is the author of the blog The Caribbean Romance Report on MarryCaribbean.com and a contributor to the travel aviation publication Captain Jetson (captainjetson.com). When she's not taking five the under a palm tree, you'll find her at home on the sunny island of Montreal. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Ziggy Eschliman
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy... Read More
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
Ziggy Eschliman
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.