Solferino Dry Gin

Solferino Dry Gin is a botanical-forward expression built on 100% locally harvested raw materials collected at morning dew in the producer's home region. The nine-botanical bill layers juniper and cinnamon with lemongrass, peppermint, holy basil, black pepper, rosemary, and grapefruit peel — a palate that reads more herb garden than London Dry, but anchored by the backbone structure classic gin drinkers expect. Freshness is the organizing principle here, and it shows in the vivid aromatics that carry through the mid-palate without collapsing into muddy infusion territory. The producer's approach centers on same-day harvest and distillation, ensuring volatile compounds in the botanicals remain intact. Lemongrass and holy basil are cut in the early morning when essential oil content peaks, then macerated alongside the juniper base before distillation. Black pepper and cinnamon anchor the spice profile, while grapefruit peel and rosemary provide citrus lift and resinous depth. The result is a gin that maps terroir not through a singular estate but through the aggregate of a regional flavor shed — the botanicals speak to place without shouting provenance. On the palate, expect bright citrus and mint on the open, followed by a peppery mid-palate that carries weight without heat. The holy basil (often called tulsi) adds an anise-adjacent sweetness that rounds out the juniper's piney bite. Grapefruit peel keeps the finish clean and slightly bitter, which makes this gin versatile in classic builds — it holds up in a Negroni, but also works in a highball with tonic and a wedge of lime. Pair it with grilled shrimp, ceviche, or anything with fresh herbs and citrus. It's a summer-weight gin that doesn't lose structure when the temperature drops. Solferino Dry Gin is available at Off Premise Chicago in Lincoln Park for pickup at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.