It all starts with our precise blend of botanicals ? cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two kinds of orange peel. The botanicals are suspended in a pure, neutral grain spirit for 18 hours in macerating tanks. The macerate is then pumped into a still along with pure water. Steam jackets heat the macerate, the vapors go into the condenser, which cools the vapors to form the gin distillate. In a meticulously monitored process, the first fluid leaving the still, the "heads," is removed. Collecting the "heart of the spirit" throughout the run, the distillers then determine the end of the cycle and make the final cut, "the tails." This process takes approximately 7 hours and at this point, the "heart cut" is 142 proof. The "heart cut" is transferred to a blending tank where pure water is added, bringing the gin to the desired 84 proof. It is then sent to the bottling line for filling, capping, and labeling. Aviation is then hand-packed into boxes and ready to ship.

Aviation belongs to an entirely new category of dry gins. These gins embody a shift away from the usual overabundance of juniper toward a more forward balance of botanicals. Aviation explores the rich, floral and savory notes of lavender, cardamom, and sarsaparilla to capture the lushness, spice, creativity, and freshness of the Pacific Northwest. In this way, we offer the American palate its first real taste of American gin.