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Freeland Spirits Gin
About Freeland Spirits Gin
Freeland Spirits Gin is produced by Freeland Spirits – a woman-owned distillery based in Portland, Oregon. Launched in 2017, Freeland produces several different spirits including Gin, Bourbon, Geneva, and canned cocktails. On the whole, the company’s branding emphasizes a community spirit that celebrates womanhood. Indeed, women lead in every step of the production process from farming to distillation.
This particular Gin is handcrafted in small batches using a variety of botanicals including rosemary, mint, thyme, grapefruit, lemon peel, juniper, pink peppercorn, coriander, star anise, and other undisclosed plant ingredients. They use a combination of heat distillation in copper stills and a less common process called “vacuum distillation”. In a nutshell, vacuum distillation allows the spirit to be distilled at lower temperatures, which helps preserve the flavors of more fresh and delicate ingredients. Freeland Gin is not aged.
Bottle Specs
❖ ABV: 45%
❖ Distillery: Freeland Spirits Distillery
❖ Aging: N/A
❖ Price Point: Upper Mid Price Range
Tasting Notes
Here are the tasting notes of this Gin, according to the official Freeland Spirits website:
Nose:
❖ garden herbs
❖ vibrant spice
❖ citrus bursts
❖ floral hints
❖ spruce undertones
Palate:
❖ layered spice
❖ freshness
My Tasting notes
As I took my first whiff of this Gin, I noticed it was very fresh and a little bit sweet. The alcohol scent was much more mellow than I was expecting, and something about the aroma overall gave me a wave of happiness. I took a second sniff, and it was more herb forward. In general, it smelled like a backyard garden. As I continued to smell the Gin, the picture in my head of a beautiful garden slowly became more clear. At first, it was just the herbs – then the earth, citrus, and trees. Overall, the experience was very pleasant.
I took my first sip, and found that it was very tree-forward. This must have been the spruce notes, though the flavor also reminded me of pine. I found the first few sips to be a bit harsh – however, this was due to the strong spices and not so much the alcohol itself. In fact, the alcohol was actually quite smooth. The spice notes, on the other hand, were very vibrant. Over time, the flavors became more and more sweet. But by the end of my tasting, my tongue still felt a bit rough from the spices.
Cocktail
For my cocktail, I decided to go with a classic Gimlet.
Although a traditional gimlet calls for equal parts Gin and lime cordial, most folks today opt for a bit less cordial – anywhere from 1/4oz-2oz. This is due to the very strong and tart flavor, as it was originally meant as a medicinal drink to prevent scurvy. Now, however, we care more about taste. I’ve decided to use a 2:1 ratio for my Gimlet.
GIMLET
❖ 2 oz Gin
❖ 1 oz Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice (lime cordial)
- Add ingredients to a shaker filler with ice, and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a cocktail glass.
This Gin is absolutely delicious inside of a cocktail. I was a bit nervous beforehand because I had heard that the lime cordial is very tangy. However, I found it to be sweet enough to balance the strong flavor notes of the Gin. As I mentioned before, Freeland Spirits is surprisingly smooth. Even so, it is very flavorful inside of a mixed drink. As I drink my Gimlet, I am transported to a beautiful backyard surrounded by nature. It is quite a sensory experience!
Bottom Line
RATING: 4/5
Overall, I really like this Freeland Spirits Gin. I would definitely purchase it again, though I feel it may be an acquired taste for some casual gin drinkers. If you’re looking for a gin that will blend into cocktails virtually unnoticed, this will not be your jam.
However, if you’re interested in letting the Gin be the star of the cocktail and tasting some interesting flavors – you will definitely want to pick up a bottle of Freeland. In this regard, I think the marketing of the product is truly on point without any exaggeration. You can really taste the difference in the vacuum distillation process – which is meant to preserve the flavors of the botanical ingredients. The flavor notes really pack a punch!
As with most Gin products, it is not meant to be sipped straight. I only did that for the sake of a thorough review – and my tongue paid the price with those strong spices! If you get your own bottle, make sure to enjoy it inside of a cocktail.
As always, drink responsibly.
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