The Top Gin From The 2025 ADI International Spirits Competition
Gin Tonic with rosemary and cucumber
American gin is among the most popular categories at the American Distilling Institute's International Spirits Competition. This prestigious event recognizes excellence in craft spirits and is open to U.S. and international distilleries. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the "Best of Class" and "Best of Category." American Gins from the recently completed 2025 competition.
Devil's Grin Texas Gin, a small-batch spirit that incorporates 14 botanicals sourced from Texas and around the world, is produced by Silver Star Spirits. Notably, it utilizes Texas mesquite beans, adding a unique local flavor that intrigues any gin enthusiast. The gin uses a step maceration process, where botanicals are added sequentially over several days to extract optimal flavors.
The nose features prominent citrus notes, earthy, and spicy aromas. The palate expresses citrus and spice, with the mesquite bean imparting a subtle sweetness and complexity. The finish is smooth with a lingering hint of herbal and spice notes.
Griffo Distillery, in Petaluma, California, produces Scott Street Gin, named after the street where the distillery resides. The gin is a modern take on the London Dry style, incorporating locally sourced Sonoma Meyer lemons, wild juniper, and organic botanicals.
The nose is very aromatic, featuring floral, juniper, and citrus notes. The palate is fresh and flavorful, exhibiting Meyer lemon, coriander, and spice aromas. The finish is long with lingering citrus notes.
Some of the key botanical ingredients for gin distillation.
Produced by South Hollow Spirits, the first legal distillery on Cape Cod since Prohibition, Dry Line Barrel Reserve Gin is distilled from 100% sugar cane and infused with various botanicals, including local, organic angelica root. The gin is aged for a year in American and Hungarian oak wine barrels, imparting a depth and complexity that any gin enthusiast can appreciate.
The nose features oak aromas with hints of juniper and spice. It's smooth and mellow on the palate, featuring juniper, citrus, and warm oak flavors. The finish is long, with lingering juniper, seasoned oak, and spice notes.
Hush & Whisper Distilling Co., based in Bryan, Texas, prides itself on producing grain-to-glass spirits using locally sourced ingredients. Their Original Gin is crafted with a blend of botanicals, including juniper, coriander, cardamom, licorice root, and orange peel, resulting in a complex and aromatic profile.
The gin is fruity and citrusy, with herbal and juniper aromas. The palate exhibits a candied sweetness with hints of tropical fruit and spice. The finish is long, with lingering juniper and citrus notes.
Gervasi Vineyard, Pink Peppercorn Gin, 55% ABV, 750 ml.
Gervasi Vineyard in Canton, Ohio, produces Pink Peppercorn Gin. It combines the floral expressions of pink and Szechuan peppercorns with coriander and lavender. This unique blend has earned it accolades; it's been a perennial winner at international spirit competitions, including Best of Class and a Double Gold Medal in the Flavored Gin category at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The gin is floral and spicy on the nose, featuring prominent peppercorn and lavender aromas. It's aromatic and complex on the palate, featuring nicely balanced sweet, floral, spicy notes. The finish is smooth and nuanced, with lingering, spicy, peppery warmth.
The American Distilling Institute (ADI) is a leading trade organization for craft and independent distillers in the United States. Founded in 2003, ADI supports the growth and success of small-scale distillers through education, advocacy, networking, and promotion of best practices in the industry.
ADI's annual spirits competition often highlights up-and-coming brands, many of which have yet to establish national distribution. For the gin connoisseur, the competition offers an excellent insight into what will likely be tomorrow's gin stars.
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