28 Mile Gin 750ML

28 Mile Gin 750ML is a juniper-forward American craft gin distilled from 100% French wheat at 45% ABV (90 proof) in a 750ml bottle. It earned a Country Winner title at the 2021 World Gin Awards and a 90-point score from Tastings.com, establishing it as one of the more decorated gins coming out of the Illinois craft scene.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Highwood, Illinois, USA  |  Style: London Dry–Inspired  |  Distillery: 28 Mile Distilling Company

Production & Heritage

28 Mile Distilling Company takes its name from its location in Highwood, Illinois, situated exactly 28 miles north of downtown Chicago. The distillery collaborated with one of the UK's foremost gin experts during recipe development and sources its botanicals from London's oldest botanical supplier — an unusual transatlantic approach for an American craft producer. The gin begins with a 100% French wheat grain neutral spirit base, which is then redistilled through a copper pot still with seven botanicals: juniper, coriander, sweet orange, lemon, cassia, licorice root, and cardamom. The spirit is non-chill filtered, preserving the natural oils and creamy texture that the French wheat base contributes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a cardamom-forward burst that quickly gives way to fresh juniper and evergreen notes reminiscent of Christmas tree. Beneath that first wave, fennel-like sweetness from the licorice root and warm cassia spice emerge gradually.

Taste: The entry is noticeably creamy — a hallmark of the French wheat base — with fresh acidity that lifts the mid-palate. Spice takes over as the gin develops, driven by cardamom and cassia warmth, while juniper stays present without dominating. Subtle citrus from the orange and lemon peel weaves through the spice layer, adding balance and brightness.

Finish: The finish runs long and clean, with juniper stepping back to let the cardamom and citrus linger. Layers of complexity unfold with each sip, rewarding patience rather than rushing to the next pour.

How to Drink 28 Mile Gin

At 90 proof, this gin has enough backbone to drink neat or with a single large ice cube, where the creamy wheat texture and botanical complexity get full stage time. It also shines in cocktails that rely on a gin with real presence:

• Gin & Tonic: The cardamom and citrus botanicals pair naturally with a quality Indian tonic, creating a layered G&T without needing additional garnish.
• Negroni: The 45% ABV and spice-forward profile hold their own against Campari and sweet vermouth, preventing the gin from getting buried.
• Bee's Knees: The creamy wheat base and licorice root sweetness complement honey syrup and lemon juice for a richer, more textured version of this Prohibition-era classic.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who appreciates small-batch American distilling with a British pedigree
• Building a home bar with a versatile, higher-proof gin that works across classic cocktails
• Hosting a tasting flight comparing American craft gins against traditional London Dry expressions
• Sipping neat after dinner when you want something clean but complex

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 28 Mile Gin taste like? 28 Mile Gin delivers a creamy, spice-driven profile built around cardamom, cassia, and juniper, balanced by fresh citrus peel and licorice root sweetness. The finish is long and clean with a subtle citrus rounding.

How does 28 Mile Gin compare to Tanqueray London Dry? Both are juniper-forward gins, but 28 Mile uses a 100% French wheat base and is bottled at a higher 45% ABV compared to Tanqueray's 47.3%, giving it a creamier, softer texture. 28 Mile leans more heavily into cardamom and cassia spice, while Tanqueray relies on a tighter, more austere four-botanical recipe.

Is 28 Mile Gin good for sipping neat? Yes — the non-chill filtered, French wheat–based spirit has a rich, creamy mouthfeel and enough botanical complexity to reward careful sipping at room temperature or with a single ice cube.

Where is 28 Mile Gin made? 28 Mile Gin is produced at 28 Mile Distilling Company in Highwood, Illinois, a small city located 28 miles north of Chicago on the Lake Michigan shore.

What foods pair well with 28 Mile Gin? Smoked salmon or cured fish work well alongside the gin's citrus and juniper notes. Indian or Thai dishes complement the cardamom-forward profile. Fresh goat cheese highlights the creamy wheat base. Dark chocolate with orange peel mirrors the gin's citrus-spice balance. Grilled shrimp with lemon brings out the brighter botanical layers.

What sizes does 28 Mile Gin come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the primary size available from the distillery.

Is 28 Mile Gin worth the price? 28 Mile Gin positions as a premium craft gin, justified by its French wheat base, UK-sourced botanicals, copper pot distillation, and multiple competition accolades including a 2021 World Gin Awards Country Winner title and a 90-point Tastings.com score.

Why 28 Mile Gin?

What sets this gin apart from the crowded American craft gin market is the deliberate marriage of British gin-making expertise with Illinois distilling. The collaboration with a top UK gin consultant and the use of botanicals from London's oldest supplier give 28 Mile a flavor architecture that reads more like a refined London Dry than a typical American craft experiment. The French wheat GNS base — far less common than standard grain spirit in this category — delivers a notably creamier, rounder texture that carries the seven botanicals without harsh grain bite. A Silver medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the 2021 World Gin Awards Country Winner title confirm that the approach translates to the glass, not just the backstory.