Thresh & Winnow Foret Gin 750ML

Thresh & Winnow Foret Gin 750ML is a USDA Organic, botanical-forward American gin bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) in a 750ml format. Awarded 92 points and a Gold Medal ("Exceptional") by the Beverage Testing Institute, Foret stands out for its deeply resinous, forest-floor character and an unusually creamy mouthfeel rare among gins.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Botanical / Forest Gin  |  Distillery: KOVAL Distillery

Production & Heritage

Foret Gin is distilled at KOVAL Distillery in Chicago, one of the city's pioneering craft distilleries and a certified organic, grain-to-bottle operation. Every step—from milling locally grown organic grain to final bottling—happens under one roof. KOVAL employs its signature "heart cut" distillation method, collecting only the purest middle portion of each run, which strips out harsh heads and tails for a noticeably clean, full-bodied spirit. The botanical bill is built around juniper, shiso, and bitter orange, complemented by a suite of forest and herbal botanicals that give Foret its name—French for "forest." The bottle itself earned Best in Show at the 2025 Craft Spirits Packaging Awards for its design by Dando Projects.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opening with fragrant lavender and resinous fir, the nose moves into warm gingerbread spice, white pepper, and a subtle wisp of incense. Juniper anchors the bouquet without overwhelming the more delicate floral and coniferous layers.

Taste: The entry is soft and immediately creamy, presenting juniper and myrtle before expanding across the mid-palate into lemon balm, sage, and fresh wheat grain. At peak intensity, chrysanthemum and lavender emerge alongside fir tips and a spruce-like bitterness, giving the gin a layered, almost savory depth that keeps evolving.

Finish: Long and structured, with a resinous pine echo and lingering pepper warmth. The creamy texture persists through the fade, leaving behind dried herbs and a touch of earthy juniper.

How to Drink Foret Gin

Given its full body and layered complexity, Foret rewards neat sipping at room temperature—or with a single ice cube to slowly open the botanicals. It also excels in cocktails that let its forest character shine. A Gin & Tonic with a quality tonic and a sprig of rosemary highlights the fir and herbal notes without burying them. A Negroni benefits from the gin's creamy weight, which stands up to Campari's bitterness while contributing unusual pine depth. A Bee's Knees (gin, lemon, honey) pairs the lavender and gingerbread spice beautifully against raw honey's floral sweetness.

Best For

• Gifting a gin enthusiast who already owns the mainstream bottles
• Building a craft gin tasting flight alongside classic London Dry styles
• Anchoring a cocktail menu with an organic, American-made base spirit
• Exploring unconventional botanical profiles beyond citrus-forward gins

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Foret Gin taste like? Foret Gin delivers a deeply herbal, forest-inspired profile dominated by juniper, fir resin, lavender, and warm gingerbread spice. Its unusually creamy, full-bodied mouthfeel sets it apart from most gins on the market.

How does Foret Gin compare to The Botanist? Both are botanical-heavy gins, but Foret leans into darker, resinous forest notes (fir, spruce, incense) while The Botanist, made on Islay, tends toward brighter coastal and wildflower character. Foret is also USDA Organic and bottled at a slightly higher 45% ABV versus The Botanist's 46%.

Is Foret Gin good for sipping neat? Yes—its creamy texture, 45% ABV, and layered botanical complexity make it one of the more rewarding gins to drink without a mixer. A single cube of ice can help release the more delicate lavender and chrysanthemum notes.

Where is Foret Gin made? Foret Gin is produced at KOVAL Distillery in Chicago, Illinois, a certified organic distillery that controls the entire grain-to-bottle process on-site using locally sourced organic grain.

What foods pair well with Foret Gin? Smoked salmon and dill cream cheese complement its herbal, resinous character. Aged goat cheese mirrors the creamy mouthfeel. Herb-crusted lamb draws out the sage and juniper. Lemon tarts echo the lemon balm mid-palate note, and dark chocolate with sea salt pairs well with the gingerbread spice and white pepper warmth.

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

Is Foret Gin worth the price? Foret positions as a premium craft gin, justified by its USDA Organic certification, grain-to-bottle production, heart-cut-only distillation, and a 92-point Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute. Within the premium American craft gin tier, it delivers significant complexity and production integrity for the category.

Why Foret Gin?

What separates Foret from the crowded American craft gin field is the convergence of rigorous organic sourcing and KOVAL's heart-cut distillation—a combination that produces a spirit of uncommon purity and weight. The 92-point BTI Gold Medal confirms what the palate reveals: this is a gin built for drinkers who find standard juniper-and-citrus profiles too one-dimensional. Its forest-floor intensity, anchored by fir resin, shiso, and lavender, occupies a genuinely distinct niche. For anyone seeking a gin that challenges expectations of what the category can taste like, Foret delivers a persuasive argument.