Listen to this articleFear City Gin, produced in Greenport, scored two awards at the recent 2024 USA Spirits Ratings in San Francisco.
The gin was recognized with both a gold medal and the “Best in Show by Country” for the United States.
The USA Spirits Ratings was created by the Beverage Trade Network, which aims to connect drink producers and brand owners with buyers, distributors and retailers that can bring their products to market. Beverage Trade Network has a similar initiative with wine ratings, and beer ratings.
“Winning a gold medal with 95/100 points and being named Best Spirit of the Year for U.S. submissions is a true badge of honor for The Fear City Spirits Co.’s Botanical Gin,” Chris Davis, cofounder of Fear City Spirits Gin, said in an email to LIBN.
The gin was in development for nearly four years, before it was released in January of 2024.
“This achievement serves as meaningful validation of our hard work, especially with so many exceptional spirits submitted across 20 categories from over 40 countries,” Davis said. “It’s a proud moment that celebrates the craftsmanship, passion and distinctive character we pour into every bottle.”
The gin is produced with Matchbook Distilling Company, whose cofounder, Leslie Merinoff Kwasnieski, according to published reports, is a descendant of Hiram Walker, who created Canadian Club. Kwasnieski served as the master distiller at Matchbook.
Fear City Gin was crafted with seven distinctive botanicals, including the sustainably grown sugar kelp from the Long Island Sound. The combination is designed to offer a bright fresh flavor, along with what the company said is “ethically sourced” white sage from Baja, California, bringing a floral dimension.
The team works with kelp farmers from Long Island Sound who use regenerative aquaculture, a practice that aims to help the kelp and also improve water quality and support marine life in the area.
The kelp is incorporated into the gin using a batch distillation technique, where each botanical is distilled individually allowing for the control of flavor, as well as how it interacts with the other botanicals.
The packaging for the gin is made from recyclable glass bottles and, the company said, ethically sourced materials from Southeast Asia.
