Distillery No. 209 launches Barrel Reserve gins

As consumer interest in craft and premium gin continues to grow, three limited edition Barrel Reserve gins from San Francisco’s Distillery No. 209 are being launched in the UK by Hi-Spirits.

Barrel Reserve is made by aging No. 209 Gin in French oak wine barrels from the distillery’s sister business, the Rudd Oakville Estate winery in Napa Valley. The three varieties are:

• No. 209 Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Reserve Gin: Having taken on an elegant copper colour during the aging process, this has hints of citrus, spice and subtle wine notes, with chocolate and oak on the finish;
• No. 209 Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Reserve Gin: With a sunny, straw colour from its time in the barrel, this has an initial citrus tang, followed by floral notes of lavender, rose and chamomile;
• No. 209 Chardonnay Barrel Reserve Gin: The latest expression in the range has a subtle, straw-like colour, with slight fruit sweetness, toasty oak flavours and a pronounced butterscotch note.

Dan Bolton, managing director of Hi-Spirits, says: “The combination of distilling and winemaking experience makes the No. 209 Barrel Reserve Gins unique, and the care and craft that have gone into barrel aging gives each of them a very special character.

 “No. 209 is already has a reputation as a ‘mixologists gin’, and the wine flavour notes added buy the barrel aging process means that each variety brings something unique to the full range of gin cocktails, from the gin & tonic to classics such as the Negroni and Martini.

“We’re very pleased to have a limited UK allocation of these very special gins. As well as appealing to the bar professionals and aficionados who already enjoy No. 209 Gin, there’ll be strong interest from those looking for something genuinely different within the gin category.”

Each No. 209 Barrel Reserve Gin is 46% ABV and comes in a customised version of the distinctive 75cl No.209 bottle, with an RSP of £59.95.

2 November 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor