Spruce needles have a lasting aroma in the New England ever-green landscape. After our deciduous trees shed their colorful leaves in the fall, these piney stands are the only greens left in our snow blanketed forests.
The gin was inspired by the damp, spicy boreal forests of the White Mountains. Generally speaking, areas up above a few thousand fee elevation haven’t been timbered as heartily as lowland areas. Up there the sweet essence of spruce, fir, and birch trees are dominant. They merge poetically with an earthy potpourri that emanates directly from the woodland soil’s damp, ligneous carpet. Capturing this environment and the sense of place it instills was our aim for this liquid.
The tips, or new growth, of the Spruce have long been used in
Spruce Beers and medicinal teas. St. Lawrence Iroquoians even used it to cure scurvy, due to its high Vitamin C content.
The soft conifer quality of the spruce blends very nicely with the traditional juniper component of gin.
Forest like aromas are backed with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.The baking spices along with slight birch oil imbue the nose with warming baser notes to the citrusy and fresh evergreen qualities of juniper berries, spruce and fir needles. Bay leaves, tarragon and gentian give a woodland depth.
The flavors stand true to the trees, with a campfire-like backbone from the birch oil and spices. The addition of coriander and lemon peel fortify the gin with familiar supporting flavors. Introducing Tamworth Garden Spruce Gin, a scratch-made gin infused with locally foraged spruce tips.
