Aria Portland Dry Gin
Aria Gin · Bull Run Distilling Company
Aria Portland Dry Gin is a masterclass in first impressions. Bull Run Distilling crafts a gin that welcomes rather than overwhelms — the angle of entry is gentle yet confident, revealing layer after layer of carefully calibrated botanicals. It's the kind of bottle that converts gin skeptics and satisfies gin devotees in the same pour. In a lineup themed around 'First Contact Matters,' Aria demonstrates that the Pacific Northwest approach to gin — restrained, precise, and deeply connected to place — can be as compelling as any Old World classic. An outstanding gateway gin with genuine depth.
Nose
An immediate greeting of fresh juniper and bright lemon zest, followed by delicate floral whispers of lavender and a subtle herbaceous quality reminiscent of walking through a Pacific Northwest meadow after a light rain. Underneath, quiet notes of coriander seed and a hint of orris root powder add depth without demanding attention.
Palate
The entry is pristine and crisp — juniper arrives first but gently, like a firm handshake rather than a crushing grip. Mid-palate opens into a beautiful interplay of citrus peel, soft lavender, and earthy angelica root. The texture is silky and medium-bodied, with a gentle peppery warmth building gradually. There's a lovely balance between botanical complexity and clean, approachable character that makes this an ideal introduction to craft gin.
Finish
Medium-length and elegantly composed, with lingering lavender and dried juniper fading into a clean, slightly floral whisper. A touch of white pepper provides the final punctuation.
Cocktail Suggestion
The Portland Introduction — 2 oz Aria Portland Dry Gin · 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice · 0.5 oz lavender honey syrup (1:1 honey infused with culinary lavender) · 1 dash orange bitters · Fresh lavender sprig for garnish · Combine gin, lemon juice, lavender honey syrup, and orange bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 12 seconds. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a fresh lavender sprig laid across the rim. The cocktail amplifies Aria's floral-citrus character while the honey syrup adds a welcoming sweetness — an ideal first drink of the evening. · Glass: Coupe
Food Pairing
The delicate sweetness of Dungeness crab mirrors Aria's gentle botanical profile, while the crispy exterior of the crab cake provides textural contrast to the gin's silky mouthfeel. A bright lemon-herb aioli echoes the citrus and herbaceous notes in the gin, creating a Pacific Northwest pairing that feels both natural and celebratory. The coriander and lavender in the gin complement the subtle seasoning of the crab without overpowering its inherent sweetness.
Bull Run Distilling Company sits in Portland's industrial Central Eastside, where founder Lee Medoff has been quietly crafting spirits since 2011. Named for the nearby Bull Run Watershed — Portland's famously pure water source — the distillery channels that pristine water into every bottle. Aria, their flagship gin, was designed to be an 'opening note' — a first voice in a botanical chorus. Medoff spent over a year adjusting the botanical bill, vapor-distilling each ingredient separately before blending, ensuring that every element arrives at the palate in perfect sequence. The result is a gin built around the concept of introduction: how a spirit greets you in the first sip determines everything that follows. In a city known for its craft spirits scene, Aria stands out not by shouting but by speaking clearly.
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