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Historically, juniper-forward London dry gin has long been the hallmark of the spirit\u2019s category. But more than 5,000 miles away from that style\u2019s namesake birthplace, distillers in California have been crafting gins that emphasize the state\u2019s diverse landscapes, from sunny, citrus-laden SoCal to the rugged and shrubby Central Coast and the dense forests up north. Beyond simply representing an American style of gin, these spirits speak to the terroir of the Golden State.<\/p>\n
Terroir Gin from St. George has been a pillar of the Western-style gin category\u00a0since it was released in 2011.\u00a0Crafted in homage to the\u00a0Bay Area and Marin\u00a0County\u2019s\u00a0Mount Tamalpais, Terroir\u00a0Gin is made with Douglas\u00a0fir seasonally harvested\u00a0in Mendocino and\u00a0complemented with\u00a0other local botanicals\u00a0like California bay\u00a0laurel, sage, and\u00a0fennel\u00a0seed. The beautifully\u00a0aromatic result is\u00a0reminiscent of a stroll\u00a0through the Northern California forest. Their newest expression of local terroir is found in their Valley Gin<\/a>, which highlights the citrus groves of the Central Valley. The fruit-forward gin incorporates the oranges in the form of Seville, Valencia, and bergamot varieties, along with orange blossoms and a lineup of complementary botanicals. $40.99, curiada.com<\/a><\/em>; $31.50, bittersandbottles.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Distilled in downtown Los Angeles, AMASS dry gin aims to represent both the multifaceted culture of the city and aromas and flavors of Southern California. Citrus-forward with a lightly savory undercurrent, the gin includes 29 botanicals from lemon, grapefruit, and bitter orange, to cedar bark and berries, to lion\u2019s mane and reishi mushrooms. Nix the tonic water<\/a> and enjoy the gin\u2019s more nuanced flavors in a Martini<\/a>. $39.96, astorwines.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The OG of California craft gin, San Francisco\u2013based Junipero launched their flagship in 1996, amassing a heap of awards in the nearly three decades since. With a bold juniper foundation, Junipero is the most traditional of the bunch but with a fresh, citrus undercurrent and slightly spiced finish. From Martinis to G&Ts<\/a>, this all-purpose gin hits the mark. $35, juniperogin.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Female-founded Future Gin, distilled in downtown LA, aims to reflect the flavors of sunny Southern California. With botanical additions like Meyer lemon, grapefruit, honeysuckle, avocado leaves, and grape leaves, the gin\u2019s soft, herbal aromatics are punctuated with bright and crisp citrus notes. This one shines in a simple Martini with a twist. $39, mashandgrape.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Family-run Calwise Spirits Co. in Paso Robles pulls its inspiration from the surrounding Central Coast, and their flagship Big Sur Gin is distilled from wine grapes in a nod to the region\u2019s viticulture. With added botanicals like white sage, lavender, and yerba santa, the gin is herbaceous and subtly floral, with a slightly cooling, mentholated character. $29.99, kegnbottle.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Inspired by the flora of California\u2019s Central Coast, Ventura Spirits launched in 2011 making spirits and liqueurs that highlight the region\u2019s bounty, both wild and cultivated. Wilder Gin is distilled with locally harvested botanicals like purple sage, yerba santa, bay leaf, sagebrush, pixie mandarin peel, and chuchupate (also called rock parsnip or celery weed). The resulting gin mingles a prominent juniper note with savory herbs and a pleasant, woodsy finish. $44.99, kegnbottle.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Inspired by a camping trip along the rocky coast of Big Sur, Gray Whale Gin incorporates botanicals that can be found along the migratory path of the whales themselves. This means juniper from Big Sur, sea kelp from Mendocino, limes from Temecula, mint from Santa Cruz, almonds from the Central Valley, and fir tree from Sonoma. The aroma is nuanced and delicate, and the mint on the palate provides a subtle cooling effect.\u00a0$36.29,\u00a0reservebar.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nAMASS Dry Gin<\/h4>\n
Junipero<\/h4>\n
Future Gin<\/h4>\n
Calwise Big Sur Gin<\/h4>\n
Ventura Spirits Wilder Gin<\/h4>\n
Gray Whale Gin<\/h4>\n