Blade Gin 750ML

Blade Gin 750ML is a 47% ABV California craft gin built on a wheat vodka and grape eau de vie base, bottled at 750ml. Winner of a Gold Medal at the 2019 World Gin Awards in London, this expression stands apart through a proprietary three-stage extraction process and a bold, spice-forward botanical profile that challenges conventional gin design.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 proof)  |  Origin: Belmont, California, USA  |  Style: New Western / California-Style Gin  |  Distillery: Old World Spirits (Kuchan Cellars)

Production & Heritage

Blade Gin is produced by Old World Spirits, also known as Kuchan Cellars, founded in 2005 in Belmont, California, by Croatian master distiller Davorin Kuchan. The base spirit is an unusual blend of 88% wheat vodka and 12% California grape eau de vie, distilled on a custom copper still Kuchan designed himself. What truly distinguishes the production is a proprietary three-stage flavor extraction process: juniper berries are steamed outside the still rather than inside, yielding a softer juniper presence and allowing the other botanicals — citrus, cardamom, ginger, and pepper — to express themselves more fully. This technique cannot be replicated on a conventional pot or column still, making Blade structurally unique among American craft gins.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with candied orange peel and a bright burst of cardamom, followed by an unexpected but inviting hint of chili pepper. Beneath that warmth sit layers of fresh cilantro, ginger, and a suggestion of black pepper that signals the intensity to come.

Taste: On entry, buttercream richness coats the palate before giving way to a mid-palate wave of cayenne pepper and candied ginger. Piney juniper arrives at the peak but stays measured, allowing citrus and cardamom to share center stage. The grape eau de vie base contributes a subtle roundness that softens the spice without dulling it.

Finish: The finish is fiery and persistent, marked by wintergreen coolness and bright lemon verbena accents. Mint lingers alongside a final flicker of black pepper, leaving a long, dry, herbal close.

How to Drink Blade Gin

At 47% ABV, Blade rewards a neat pour at room temperature — the spice complexity unfolds as the spirit opens up, and a few drops of water amplify the citrus and cardamom layers without drowning the heat. For cocktails, its bold botanical character punches through mixers where softer gins get lost. A Gin & Tonic with a quality Indian tonic and a slice of fresh ginger highlights the cayenne-ginger backbone. A Bee's Knees (honey, lemon, gin) plays beautifully against the buttercream and citrus notes. A Last Word benefits from Blade's wintergreen and herbal finish, which echoes the Green Chartreuse component without overwhelming it.

Best For

• Gifting a craft spirits enthusiast who already owns the mainstream brands
• Blind tasting nights where guests compare traditional London Dry against New Western styles
• Building a home cocktail bar with a gin that holds its own in shaken and stirred drinks
• Exploring California-style spirits alongside the state's wine and brandy traditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blade Gin taste like? Blade Gin leads with cardamom, candied orange peel, and cayenne pepper rather than heavy juniper, finishing with wintergreen and lemon verbena. The grape eau de vie base adds a subtle, rounded sweetness that tempers the spice.

How does Blade Gin compare to Hendrick's Gin? Both sit outside the traditional London Dry mold, but Hendrick's leans toward floral cucumber-and-rose softness at 41.4% ABV, while Blade delivers significantly more heat and spice at 47% ABV with its cayenne, ginger, and cardamom botanicals. Blade's wheat-and-grape base also gives it a richer mouthfeel compared to Hendrick's lighter grain spirit.

Is Blade Gin good for sipping neat? Yes — the 47% ABV and complex spice layering make it one of the more rewarding gins to drink without any mixer, particularly if you enjoy bold, peppery spirits.

Where is Blade Gin made? Blade Gin is distilled at Old World Spirits (Kuchan Cellars) in Belmont, California, a small-production distillery founded by Croatian-born master distiller Davorin Kuchan in 2005.

What foods pair well with Blade Gin? Seared ahi tuna benefits from the gin's citrus and ginger notes. Thai green curry mirrors the cardamom and chili character. Aged Manchego cheese echoes the peppery finish. Grilled shrimp with cilantro-lime sauce picks up on the herbal and citrus botanicals. Dark chocolate with chili amplifies the cayenne heat.

What sizes does Blade Gin come in? Blade Gin is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Blade Gin worth the price? Blade positions as a small-batch, premium craft gin with a unique production method, multiple Gold Medal awards, and a flavor profile that genuinely differs from mass-market options — placing it firmly in the upper tier of American artisan gins in terms of both quality and value.

Why Blade Gin?

The proprietary three-stage extraction process and externally steamed juniper berries set Blade apart from virtually every other gin on the market at a production level, not just a marketing one. Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2011), the Beverage Tasting Institute, and the 2019 World Gin Awards in London confirm that the unconventional technique translates to recognized quality. The 88/12 wheat-to-grape base is rare in the gin world and delivers a textural dimension — creamy, slightly vinous — that pure grain gins cannot match. For anyone seeking a gin that genuinely tastes like nothing else in the category, Blade is one of the few expressions that earns that claim with verifiable evidence.