Ransom Dry Gin 750ML

Ransom Dry Gin 750ML is a genever-inspired American craft gin bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) in a 750ml format. Awarded a Gold Medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and scored 93 points by the Beverage Testing Institute in 2017, this Oregon-made gin stands apart through its malt wine foundation and distinctly Pacific Northwest botanical bill.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43%  |  Origin: Sheridan, Oregon, USA  |  Style: Genever-Inspired Dry Gin  |  Distillery: Ransom Wine Co. & Distillery

Production & Heritage

Ransom Wine Co. & Distillery operates out of Sheridan, Oregon, producing wines and spirits with a farm-oriented philosophy. Ransom Dry Gin begins with a malt wine base distilled from malted barley and rye — a technique borrowed directly from Holland's genever tradition — then marries that distillate with a corn-based spirit infused with botanicals. The entire production runs through a 10-hectoliter direct-fire copper pot still, and the botanical roster includes Oregon Marionberries, local hops, juniper berries, cardamom, coriander, and citrus peel. The result is a hybrid that bridges Old World genever richness with the sharper botanical intensity of American dry gin.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: White flowers and ethereal hop aromatics open the nose, followed by a deeper layer of fresh marionberry and juniper. There is a whisper of new-make whiskey character from the malt wine base, with coriander seed and cardamom adding spice complexity.

Taste: The entry is notably rich and silky, carrying the weight of the malt wine through the mid-palate. Citrus peel and exotic spice — cardamom and coriander in particular — build piquancy, while ripe tropical fruit notes and mild juniper emerge toward the peak. A subtle caraway accent and peppery heat round out the palate.

Finish: Supple and moderately long, with impressive viscosity for a gin. Clean, focused botanicals linger alongside a malty richness that recalls the spirit's genever lineage.

How to Drink Ransom Dry Gin

Neat or slightly chilled is the best way to appreciate the malt wine depth and layered spice. A single large ice cube opens up the hop and citrus aromatics without diluting the texture too quickly.

• Martinez: The malt backbone and juniper character make it a historically accurate match for this proto-Martini cocktail.
• Gin & Tonic: The grain richness and marionberry aromatics create a fuller, more textured G&T than a London Dry would deliver.
• Negroni: The heavier body and spice profile stand up to Campari's bitterness without being overpowered.

Best For

• Genever enthusiasts exploring an American interpretation of the style
• Gifting a cocktail hobbyist who values unusual production methods
• Upgrading a home Martinez or classic Martini with a malt-forward gin
• Blind tasting nights comparing genever, Old Tom, and London Dry styles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ransom Dry Gin taste like? Ransom Dry Gin delivers a rich, silky palate led by malt sweetness, juniper, cardamom, and coriander, with supporting notes of citrus peel, tropical fruit, and peppery spice. The malt wine base gives it considerably more body and viscosity than a standard London Dry.

How does Ransom Dry Gin compare to Hayman's Old Tom? Both occupy a space between sweet and botanical-forward gin, but Ransom's genever-inspired malt wine base creates a heavier, grain-driven body, while Hayman's Old Tom leans on a more traditional sugar-sweetened, juniper-forward profile. Ransom also incorporates Pacific Northwest-specific botanicals like Oregon Marionberries and local hops, which Hayman's does not.

Is Ransom Dry Gin good for sipping neat? Yes — the 43% ABV and malt wine richness give it enough weight and complexity to stand alone. Sipping neat or with a few drops of water highlights the interplay of grain sweetness and botanical spice.

Where is Ransom Dry Gin made? Ransom Dry Gin is produced at Ransom Wine Co. & Distillery in Sheridan, Oregon, located in the Willamette Valley region of the Pacific Northwest.

What foods pair well with Ransom Dry Gin? Smoked salmon benefits from the gin's juniper and malt backbone. Aged Gouda echoes the grain sweetness. Fresh oysters contrast nicely with the cardamom and hop notes. Lemon tarts mirror the citrus aromatics, and charcuterie boards with cured meats complement the peppery spice finish.

What sizes does Ransom Dry Gin come in? Ransom Dry Gin is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Ransom Dry Gin worth the price? Ransom Dry Gin positions as a premium craft gin, priced above mainstream London Dry brands but justified by its artisan pot-still distillation, malt wine base, and regional botanicals. Its 93-point BTI score and multiple Gold Medals reinforce its standing in the upper tier of American craft gin.

Why Ransom Dry Gin?

Very few American gins build from a malted barley and rye malt wine, and that single production choice defines everything about this spirit — the body, the grain sweetness, the texture. The 10-hectoliter direct-fire pot still and the use of Oregon Marionberries and local hops push it further from anything mass-produced. A Gold Medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 93 points from the Beverage Testing Institute confirm that the approach delivers measurable quality, not just novelty. For drinkers who find London Dry gins too austere and genevers too malty, Ransom occupies a genuinely rare middle ground.