Ventura Spirits "Wilder" Gin (750ml)

Ventura Spirits is one of SoCal's most exciting new distilleries. These guys are really in it for the right reasons. They do crazy shit like try to distill seaweed and make wild weird brandies from local strawberry, quince and other wonderful treats. Their Wilder Gin exemplifies everything that their all about. They're pulling these botanicals from the hills around the distillery and fruit from local farms, the result is something utterly unique and truly Californian. This is a beautiful base to build complex cocktails around or use it to give a fresh twist on an old classic. No doubt this should be considered one of SoCal's premier micro gins.

A true livin' off the land project, Ventura's gin is made with foraged wild herbs and roots growing near the distillery. A few of the herbs I actually had to look up. Chuchupate? Known as "Wild Bear Root" because bears eat it after hibernation or if they're wounded. Yerba Santa? "Holy Weed" to Spanish Missionaries who used it for medicinal purposes. Some of the more familiar additions like juniper and orange peel pop up in there too. The result? A savory, citrusy, refreshing (and possibly curative?) expression of Cali chaparral terroir.

Woah! This is a trip and a half. Step into this gin and you'll feel like you're hiking the Santa Barbara back country. Miles of it. Sagebrush, cactus fruit, and a rich manzanita tea strike you but this spirit still holds tons of classic juniper. Take a walk on the wild side and liven up your next martini (aka - gin straight outta the freezer, with or without vermouth) or change up your classic G&T this summer. Extra points if you garnish with some locally foraged lavender or rosemary.