Aviation Old Tom Gin

Floral-first Aviation Gin aged in ex-Whiskey casks, adding a caramel-like sweetness.

The story of Aviation Gin is a crazy one. Ryan Magarian was a bartender in Seattle. Christian Krogstad was running a small distillery in Portland called House Spirits and experimenting with Gin recipes in an "American" style. They hit it off and worked side by side, collaborating to create Aviation Gin. The brand was sold to Davos Brands in 2016. And then in 2018, Ryan Reynolds — the actor who starred in the Deadpool movies, among many others — purchased a substantial stake in the brand while lending his name and marketing savvy. But Aviation Gin is still produced where it was born — House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon.

The story of Aviation Old Tom starts with the core Aviation Gin. They take a pure, neutral grain Spirits and infuse eight botanicals for eighteen hours. The list of botanicals includes cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two varieties of orange zest. The Spirit is then gently steam-distilled one more time before being cut to proof at 42% ABV. In Aviation Gin, the juniper takes a back seat to the floral and spicy aromatics.

This exceptional Gin is then transformed into their version of Old Tom by aging it in Westward Whiskey casks (made at House Spirits) for twelve months. No additional additives or sugars are used (thank goodness).