BOWLING & BURCH GIN

Kentucky -

It’s no secret that 17 different botanicals are used in Bowling & Burch New World Gin, many of which are grown on-site at the distillery. What all of them are is still something of a secret — just to keep everyone guessing. But there are a few special ones that deserve a moment in the spotlight.

A Unique Blend of Botanicals

Like all gins, the main ingredient is juniper (Juniperus communis), and other common herbs include coriander and cardamom. But where Bowling & Burch really begins to head off into a new (and what we like to think better) direction is with its citrus and floral characteristics, thanks to these four standout ingredients:

• Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
  Sometimes known as lemon beebrush, lemon verbena is a perennial shrub native to South America. While ornamental, it’s also prized for its many culinary uses in foods, desserts, and beverages, as well as traditional medicine. The plant’s lemon scent comes from its leaves, which are used in Bowling & Burch.

• Lemongrass (Cymbopogon)
  A tall, grasslike plant from the southern hemisphere, lemongrass is widely used as a culinary herb, especially in Thai and Oriental cooking. Its leaves lend citrus characteristics to the gin. Master distiller Steve Beam layers lemongrass and lemon verbena with sweet orange, bitter orange, and lemon peel to create the gin’s well-rounded citrus depth.

• Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
  When you first open a bottle of Bowling & Burch gin, the initial aromas are delicate floral notes rather than citrus. A major contributor is the bouquet from honeysuckle flowers harvested onsite at the distillery. The flowers are dehydrated before being added to one of the still’s gin baskets.

• Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
  Complementing the honeysuckle’s floral aroma is the subtropical and highly ornamental hibiscus plant. Known for its use in teas and remedies (thanks to its high Vitamin C content), hibiscus adds a subtle elegance to the gin’s bouquet.

Craft Distilling Process

Bowling & Burch’s production process follows a method similar to the London dry gin process. Instead of adding ingredients directly to the neutral spirits liquid, all botanical components are placed in baskets inside the still. The rising vapor infuses the botanicals into the gin as it moves through the still column.

• Lower basket: Contains heavier components like juniper and regular citrus ingredients.
• Higher basket: Houses lighter notes, keeping them fresh and floral.

How to Enjoy

Beam believes the delicate qualities of Bowling & Burch are best appreciated neat, or with seltzer and just a touch of tonic, as well as in a classic martini. However you choose to enjoy it, take a moment to breathe in the lightly aromatic botanical wonders released when you first crack open a bottle.