Barr Hill Gin

Barr Hill Gin. Caledonia Spirits, Montpelier, Vermont — two botanicals, hand-crushed wild juniper and raw Vermont wildflower honey, producing one of the most distinctive and decorated American craft gins available.

Barr Hill was co-founded by beekeeper Todd Hardie and distiller Ryan Christiansen in Vermont, with a founding philosophy of radical simplicity. Where most gins use eight to twelve botanicals, Barr Hill uses two: hand-crushed wild juniper and raw Vermont wildflower honey. The juniper is distilled first in a custom botanical extraction still, then the raw honey — sourced from Hardie's own Vermont hives — is added after distillation. This post-distillation honey addition is critical: it preserves the honey's delicate floral character and enzymes that heat would destroy, contributing texture and complexity rather than sweetness.

The result is technically classified as an Old Tom-style gin because of the post-distillation addition, though the honey reads as floral and honeycomb-like rather than sugary. Barr Hill has been named America's most awarded craft gin, earning Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and gold at the New York International Spirits Competition among dozens of other accolades. It's a gin that rewards those willing to experience it on its own terms.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Bright juniper and pine sap open the glass, followed by honeycomb, beeswax, and wildflower nectar. Soft citrus peel and a faint grassy earthiness round it out.
• Palate: Luscious and viscous with a richness unlike most gins. Pine and grass lead at the tip of the tongue, giving way to wildflower honey sweetness and green leafiness at mid-palate. Darker, resinous juniper blooms as the spirit warms.
• Finish: Long, warm, and satisfying — honeycomb and subtle pepper linger with a clean herbal close.

Specs

• Distillery: Caledonia Spirits, Montpelier, Vermont
• Style: Old Tom-style Craft Gin
• Botanicals: Hand-crushed wild juniper, raw Vermont wildflower honey (added post-distillation)
• ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Barr Hill Gin taste like? Bright juniper and pine on the nose with honeycomb and wildflower nectar. The palate is luscious and viscous with pine, wildflower honey, and green leafiness. The finish is long and warm with honeycomb and subtle pepper.
• Is Barr Hill Gin sweet? It has a natural floral sweetness from the raw honey, but it reads as honeycomb-like rather than sugary. The robust juniper backbone provides balance. Think raw honeycomb rather than simple syrup.
• What makes Barr Hill different from other gins? It uses only two botanicals — hand-crushed wild juniper and raw Vermont wildflower honey added post-distillation. Most gins use 8–12 botanicals. The honey contributes a silky texture and floral complexity that no other production method can replicate.
• What cocktails is Barr Hill best in? A natural in a Bee's Knees where honey and lemon are already at home. Exceptional in a Martinez, Negroni, and Aviation. For a G&T, choose a less-sweet tonic like Fever Tree Aromatic to balance the honey's natural sweetness.
• What is the ABV of Barr Hill Gin? 45% ABV (90 proof).