J. Carver Distillery Awarded Gold for Grimm Farm Gin and J. Carver Barrel Gin
WACONIA, Minn. – Fans of the craft spirits movement in Minnesota have a reason to celebrate. The Fifty Best recently hosted a Gin Tasting in New York, NY where 68 contenders were evaluated for the distinguished “Best Gin” awards for 2018. The Fifty Best and J. Carver Distillery are pleased to announce that J. Carver Grimm Farm Ultra Premium Gin and J. Carver Barrel Gin were awarded Gold Medals. Both products were distilled grain-to-glass and the J. Carver Barrel Gin was aged in our barrel room at our facility in Waconia, Minnesota, located 30 miles southwest of Minneapolis.
"We are proud to announce these two gold medal winners,” stated Founder Bill Miller “Each is handcrafted and based on locally-produced grains and botanicals and the J. Carver Barrel Gin rests in barrels manufactured in Avon, Minnesota,” continues Miller. “We’re thrilled with the response we have received since introducing our barrel gin to the market over two years ago. “It’s a game changer; this new category is a must try for any whiskey lover, and for those who are curious about whiskey but unsure where to start.”
"The J. Carver team has been fascinated with the history and spirit of discovery of pioneers like Wendelin Grimm and Jonathan Carver," said Gina Holman, Founding Partner. "We are dedicated to exploring and creating distinctive spirits inspired by a tradition of craft and curiosity. We are so grateful for these two gold medals. It's exciting to see the passion and support around the revival of the craft cocktail culture, with the devotion of mixologists using Minnesota craft spirits in their cocktail programs, and consumers embracing the shop local movement."
J. Carver Distillery Gold Medal Winners:
J. Carver Barrel Gin
Yes! It's gold in color! Yet this "whiskey-lover's gin" has become the darling spirit of top mixologists across Minnesota. Dynamic and complex, this gin is distilled with eleven botanicals including orange and cinnamon and finished in new charred oak barrels coopered in Minnesota. This hearty, 96-proof gin adds something special to gin and whiskey-based cocktails, and begs to be sipped neat or on ice. 96 proof
Appearance: Medium Amber
Aroma: Soft, sweet oak character with rich notes of baking spices including cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice balanced with floral and citrus notes from hand selected botanicals.
Taste: An alluring palate with strong vanilla and caramel flavors, hints of orange, lemon and cardamom, balanced with intense baking spices and licorice.
Finish: Long, warm and smooth lingering finish with hints of black pepper and soft tannins.
Grimm Farm Ultra-Premium Gin
Named after Carver County’s legendary Wendelin Grimm, this "gin-lover's gin" stands alone in its use of two botanicals unique to Minnesota - Grimm's everlasting clover and wild rice. Based on Lake House Vodka and distilled with the flavors of twelve other botanicals including cardamom, orris root and grains of paradise, this 92-proof gin makes any martini or pre-prohibition cocktail stand out. 92 proof
In 1859, immigrant German farmers Wendelin and Julianna Grimm purchased a plot of land in Northern Carver County. Among the possessions they brought from their native country was a small, wooden box containing the seeds of “ewiger klee” - German for everlasting clover - which they planted on the farm. For the next fifteen years Wendelin Grimm religiously collected and planted seeds from the plants that survived the harsh Minnesota winters. This selection practice - called seed saving - resulted in the first winter-hardy alfalfa in North America. Grimm's alfalfa not only helped make Carver County a premier dairy belt, but it has become the basis of the alfalfa used on more the 25 million acres in the United States. Grimm Farm is now a historic site in Three Rivers Park District in Victoria, Minnesota, just a few miles east of the distillery.
About J. Carver Distillery
J. Carver Distillery crafts distinctive spirits inspired by a tradition of craft and curiosity, harkening back to the days of unchartered exploration and wonder. J. Carver Distillery is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Stop in experience a tour and tasting and their grain-to-glass approach to distilling. Join their many enthusiastic customers in sampling locally made vodka, gin, barrel gin, apple brandy, grappa, bourbon, rye whiskey, liqueurs, and small batch specialty spirits and hand-crafted cocktails in their cocktail room. More information is available online at www.jcarverdistillery.com.
J. Carver Distillery hand-crafted spirits including Grimm Farm Gin and J. Carver Barrel Gin are available in Minnesota for wholesale purchase exclusively through Minneapolis-based distributor Vinacopia, Inc. and in Wisconsin trough Saratoga Liquor in Superior and General Beverage in Green Bay. Consumers can search the store finder at www.jcarverdistillery.com for retailers by city or zip code including Surdyks, France 44, South Lyndale, Legacy Wine and Spirits, Dolce Vita, The Vintage, North Loop and other fine spirit shops in Minnesota and Wisconsin.