Uncle Val's Botanical Gin
Uncle Val's · Bend, Oregon
Uncle Val's takes its inspiration from an Italian immigrant's garden, and that provenance shows. This is a gin that prioritizes freshness and balance over juniper muscle. It performs beautifully in a gin and tonic but is nuanced enough for a contemplative Martini.
Nose
Juniper arrives first but shares the stage quickly with lavender, lemon zest, and a soft cucumber-like freshness. Coriander and a whiff of peppery spice round out the bouquet.
Palate
Clean and bright. Juniper and lemon dominate the entry, then the lavender and chamomile emerge at the center, giving the gin a gentle, almost soothing quality. The finish of each sip carries coriander and a peppery warmth.
Finish
Medium, with lingering lavender and a dry juniper fade. The citrus lifts at the end, leaving a clean, refreshing impression.
- Style
- Contemporary botanical gin
- Botanicals
- Juniper, lavender, lemon, cucumber, sage, coriander
- Base Spirit
- Neutral grain spirit
- Distillation
- Pot distilled in small batches
Cocktail Suggestion
Val's Garden Martini — 2.5 oz Uncle Val's Botanical Gin · 0.5 oz Dolin dry vermouth · Stir over ice for 30 seconds, strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with a cucumber ribbon.
Food Pairing
Burrata with heirloom tomatoes, basil, and olive oil
Named after the founder's great-uncle Valerio, a Sicilian immigrant who tended a prolific garden in Sonoma County, this gin translates his love of fresh botanicals into a spirit that smells like a walk through that garden at dusk.
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