Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin

The world called for Whiskey, they answered with Gin.

Nestled in the hills of Caledonia County, Vermont, the Caledonia Distillery started its journey in 1976 when its founder, Todd Hardy, bought a beehive at the tender age of 12 years old. After 48 years of bee-keeping and selling honey, Todd decided to try using raw honey in Spirits distillation. Based on a vision of creating quality Spirits and supporting local agriculture, Caledonia Spirits was born.

After a few — very successful — years selling Barr Hill Vodka and Barr Hill Gin (with each batch distilled in a custom-made extraction still), Todd handed the reins of the business over to the master distiller, Ryan Christiansen. But he didn't step away entirely; today, he stays true to the Caledonia Distillery's mission by running a farm to grow grains and fruits to go into their products.

By then, it was time for something a little different and Tom Cat Gin was born. Made to the same recipe as the original Barr Hill Gin, which contains just 2 botanicals — juniper and honey — Tom Cat Gin is then aged in new American oak barrels.

It launched in 2014 and was an unbelievable success, selling a year’s worth of stock in just 3 weeks. This is a sipping Gin; it's woody and peppery with the raw honey adding a rich sweetness to balance the whole thing out. Certainly one for Whiskey fans, too.