Misguided Spirits Bathhouse John's Well Dressed American Dry Gin

Misguided Spirits Bathhouse John's Well Dressed American Dry Gin arrives from Chicago's own craft distillery with a botanical profile that leans floral and citrus-forward, balancing traditional juniper backbone with lavender and bright citrus oils. American dry gins occupy a flexible corner of the gin category—less juniper-dominant than London Dry, more expressive with aromatics—and this bottle exemplifies that approach with a crispness that opens into layered botanicals as it warms in the glass. The distillery takes its name from the colorful political figures of early twentieth-century Chicago, and Bathhouse John's Well Dressed Gin honors that tradition with a recipe that's unapologetically local in origin and ambition. Misguided Spirits distills in small batches at their facility on Chicago's North Side, where they vapor-infuse a neutral grain spirit base with a botanical bill anchored by juniper, lavender, and citrus peels. The lavender reads as aromatic rather than soapy—a light floral lift that integrates with the juniper rather than overshadowing it. The citrus component brings a bright, clean edge that carries through the mid-palate, and the distillation method preserves the delicate oils without bitterness. The result is a gin that softens as it breathes, with each botanical revealing itself in sequence rather than all at once—juniper first, then lavender, then a lingering citrus finish that suggests early spring mornings when the air is cool and the light is sharp. On the nose, juniper and lavender arrive in equal measure, followed by a hint of lemon zest and a faint herbal undertone. The palate starts crisp and clean, with the juniper providing structure and the lavender adding a subtle floral complexity that never dominates. The citrus oils brighten the mid-palate and extend the finish, which is dry and lightly botanical. Serve this gin in a classic martini with a twist of lemon to let the botanicals shine, or pair it with tonic and a sprig of fresh lavender for a highball that mirrors the gin's own profile. It also works well in a gin and soda with a squeeze of grapefruit, or alongside lighter fare like oysters, ceviche, or spring vegetables dressed with olive oil and lemon. Misguided Spirits Bathhouse John's Well Dressed American Dry Gin is available for pickup at Off Premise Chicago, 1128 W Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park, for local Chicago delivery, or for nationwide shipping.