About Barr Hill Tom Cat Reserve Gin
Tom Cat Reserve Gin begins its life as Barr Hill Gin, a London dry-style gin that, unlike other gins, uses only one botanical during distillation: juniper. The rest of its complex, gentle flavor profile comes from the raw honey, which is added during a second distillation. “Honey is incredibly expensive to harvest,” Hardie notes, and harder still to ferment. “Even with a Bachelor’s of Science in agriculture, I didn’t know that the way you’re taking care of your bees and your people goes into every product — every bottle,”he says. “With a strict science background, they don’t teach you that, but it’s true. The consumer will know the difference between a good and a mediocre product.”
Following distillation, which occurs in a 25-gallon recycled stainless steel still (a testament to Hardie’s commitment to environmental sustainability), the gin is matured for three to four months in new American oak casks. “While resting in the barrels, the gin is constantly transforming,” says Hardie. “The charred barrels contribute to the brown color of the spirit and give our Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat its complex flavor.” Tom Cat Reserve has also has notes of juniper and ginger, but has touches of caramel, vanilla and honey that are robust and bountiful.
“The best fertilizer is always the footprint of a farmer,” Hardie says.
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About Barr Hill
In the early 18th century, the rolling hills of Vermont’s landscape were dotted with numerous breweries and micro-distilleries. In 1852, however, yielding to the state’s temperance movement, Vermont banned alcohol and shuttered the state’s burgeoning craft spirits industry. Though alcohol was legalized again in 1933, Vermont’s Prohibition movement cast a long shadow, and distilleries across the state remained dormant for decades.
Today, on the banks of the Lamoille River in Hardwick, Vermont (population: 3,174), Caledonia Spirits
remains rooted in the traditions of sustainability and Vermont’s agriculture.
Todd Hardie, Caledonia Spirits founder, spent over four decades as a beekeeper before deciding to incorporate his raw, organic Vermont honey into craft spirits. His first honey house, which required a $1,000 down payment and had a mortgage of $133 per month, was home to 180 colonies. Coincidentally, the land in northern Vermont where he kept his first bee houses straddles the Québec border, and had been the site of a Prohibition-era speakeasy named Bucket of Blood.
About Gin
According to Winston Churchill, “The gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives and minds than all the doctors in the Empire,” referring to the British officers using it to treat malaria in India.
Initially made for medicinal purposes, gin gets most of its flavor from the juniper berries added after the distillation process. It sure has come a long way from the Middle Ages, with the introduction of new botanicals, fruits, and spices, bringing it closer to people of all flavor varieties.
Casey Clark (verified owner) –
I recently had the pleasure of trying the H. Upmann Sir Winston cigars from Royal Liquor and Cigarettes, and they were truly exceptional. From the moment I lit one up, I was greeted by rich, complex flavors of cedar, leather, and a hint of sweetness. The construction was flawless, providing a smooth, even burn and a satisfying smoking experience from start to finish.
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Royal Liquor and Cigarettes is my go-to for all my wine and cigar needs. Their website is easy to navigate, their selection is vast, and their customer service is top-notch. Whether I’m looking for a rare and exotic wine or a tried-and-true cigar, I know I can always count on them to deliver. Highly recommend.
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Royal Liquor and Cigarettes is my go-to for all my wine and cigar needs. Their website is easy to navigate, their selection is vast, and their customer service is top-notch. Whether I’m looking for a rare and exotic wine or a tried-and-true cigar, I know I can always count on them to deliver. Highly recommend.
Jordan Carter (verified owner) –
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Royal Liquor and Cigarettes is my go-to for all my wine and cigar needs. Their website is easy to navigate, their selection is vast, and their customer service is top-notch. Whether I’m looking for a rare and exotic wine or a tried-and-true cigar, I know I can always count on them to deliver. Highly recommend.
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Finley Gray (verified owner) –
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Casey Clark (verified owner) –
I recently had the pleasure of trying the Cohiba Behike 56 cigars from Royal Liquor and Cigarettes, and they were truly exceptional. From the moment I lit one up, I was greeted by rich, complex flavors of cedar, leather, and a hint of sweetness. The construction was flawless, providing a smooth, even burn and a satisfying smoking experience from start to finish.
Avery Green (verified owner) –
I recently ordered a bottle of the Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne from Royal Liquor and Cigarettes, and it was absolutely phenomenal. From the moment I took my first sip, I was greeted by layers of complexity and elegance. With its vibrant acidity, creamy texture, and lingering finish, it’s truly a champagne lover’s dream.
Cameron Collins (verified owner) –
Royal Liquor and Cigarettes exceeded my expectations in every way. Their website is easy to navigate, their selection is vast, and their customer service is top-notch. Whether I’m looking for a rare and exotic wine or a tried-and-true cigar, I know I can always count on them to deliver. Highly recommend.