Aviation American Gin 750ML

Aviation American Gin 750ML is a small-batch American gin distilled in Portland, Oregon, bottled at 42% ABV (84 proof) in a 750ml bottle. It earned 97 points from Wine Enthusiast in 2012 — the highest score the publication has ever awarded a gin — establishing it as one of the most critically acclaimed gins in the modern craft spirits movement.

Quick Facts: ABV: 42% (84 proof)  |  Origin: Portland, Oregon, USA  |  Style: New Western Dry Gin  |  Distillery: House Spirits Distillery

Production & Heritage

Aviation is produced at House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon, one of the pioneering craft distilleries in the Pacific Northwest. Rather than relying on vapor infusion or a single botanical steep, the production team suspends seven botanicals — juniper, cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, and two types of orange peel — in neutral grain spirit for a precise 18-hour maceration. This proprietary process, executed in small 100-case batches, yields a gin where juniper is present but deliberately dialed back, allowing the lavender, cardamom, and citrus to share equal billing. The base spirit is made from 100% grain neutral spirits, giving the final product a clean, uncluttered canvas for the botanicals to express themselves.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a lift of anise and lavender, followed by bright orange peel and a gentle pine-forest juniper note. Underneath, there is a subtle peppermint and eucalyptus freshness that keeps the bouquet lively and complex.

Taste: On entry, licorice and bold cardamom lead the way, backed by coriander and citrus zest. At mid-palate, juniper surges forward alongside an earthy, almost cedar-like sarsaparilla quality, while integrated spice and white-pepper warmth round out the body. The texture is round and crisp with a dry medium body that carries each botanical layer without heaviness.

Finish: The finish is long and warm, trailing off with floral lavender, a literal hint of birch beer, and flamed orange peel. A mentholated, faintly spicy note lingers at the very end, providing an elegant close.

How to Drink Aviation Gin

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the best way to appreciate the full botanical arc, especially the interplay between lavender and cardamom. A few drops of water open up the citrus and anise notes further without diluting the body.

• Aviation Cocktail: The gin's namesake drink — shaken with maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice — harmonizes beautifully because the lavender and floral botanicals amplify the violet component.
• Gin & Tonic: The restrained juniper profile lets cardamom and orange peel shine against a quality tonic, creating a more aromatic, less piney G&T than a traditional London Dry.
• Bee's Knees: Honey syrup and lemon juice pair naturally with the gin's anise and lavender notes, producing a silky, floral-forward cocktail with balanced sweetness.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who already owns a London Dry and wants something distinctly different
• Building a home cocktail bar with a versatile, botanically complex base spirit
• Introducing a whiskey or vodka drinker to gin through a softer, less juniper-heavy expression
• Hosting a summer cocktail party where lighter, aromatic drinks are the focus

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Aviation Gin taste like? Aviation Gin leads with anise, cardamom, and French lavender before juniper arrives at mid-palate, finishing with a warm, floral, slightly earthy quality. The overall profile is dry, crisp, and herbaceous with citrus and spice in balance.

How does Aviation Gin compare to Hendrick's Gin? Both are modern gins that de-emphasize juniper in favor of distinctive botanicals, but they diverge sharply in character: Hendrick's leans into cucumber and rose, while Aviation foregrounds lavender, cardamom, and anise. Aviation is macerated for 18 hours in small batches, whereas Hendrick's blends distillate from both a Carter-Head still and a copper pot still for its signature profile.

Is Aviation Gin good for cocktails? Aviation Gin is exceptionally well-suited to cocktails because its balanced botanical profile avoids overpowering other ingredients. It excels in citrus-forward and floral drinks like the Aviation, Bee's Knees, and French 75.

Where is Aviation Gin made? Aviation Gin is produced at House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon. Portland's thriving craft distilling scene helped shape Aviation's non-traditional, New Western Dry approach when the gin was first developed.

What foods pair well with Aviation Gin? Smoked salmon and dill cream cheese complement the gin's herbal and citrus notes. Goat cheese with honeycomb echoes the lavender and anise character. Seared scallops with a citrus beurre blanc mirror the orange peel botanicals. Thai green curry balances well against the cardamom and coriander. Dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the warm, spicy finish.

What sizes does Aviation Gin come in? Aviation Gin is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle, though 50ml miniatures, 375ml half-bottles, and 1L bottles can be found depending on the market.

Is Aviation Gin worth the price? Aviation positions as a premium craft gin, sitting above mass-market options but below ultra-premium small-release bottlings. Its 97-point Wine Enthusiast score and small-batch production process support strong value within the premium tier.

Why Aviation Gin?

Few gins in any category carry a 97-point Wine Enthusiast rating, and Aviation remains the highest-scored gin in that publication's history. The 18-hour maceration of seven carefully chosen botanicals produces a genuinely distinctive flavor profile that breaks from juniper-dominant tradition without abandoning it entirely. Small-batch production in 100-case runs at House Spirits Distillery ensures consistency and attention to detail that larger-scale operations cannot easily replicate. For drinkers seeking a gin that rewards both straight sipping and creative cocktail making, Aviation stands as one of the most accomplished American gins available.