Rabbit Hole Bespoke Gin

Rabbit Hole Bespoke Gin. Rabbit Hole Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky — the world's only gin finished in Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey barrels, resting in the same hand-selected new American oak casks that previously aged their award-winning Boxergrail Rye Whiskey.

Rabbit Hole was founded in Louisville by Kaveh Zamanian with a clear design ethos and an architectural distillery that became an icon of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Their Bespoke Gin begins life as a classic London Dry Gin built on seven botanicals — juniper, angelica, orange peel, lemon peel, licorice, coriander, and orris root — before being filled into the #3 toasted-and-charred new American oak barrels that previously held their Boxergrail Straight Rye Whiskey. The barrels are made at Kelvin Cooperage using wood-fired furnaces, and the gin rests in them long enough to pick up color, warmth, and the ghost of the rye that came before.

The result sits in a fascinating space between worlds: too juniper-forward to be confused with whiskey, but too rye-inflected and barrel-warmed to drink like a conventional London Dry. The barrel treatment mellows the juniper considerably, adds baking spice and vanilla from the oak, and contributes a burnt-caramel sweetness that balances the citrus botanicals. The gin takes on a shimmering gold hue in the glass — visually unmistakable. Best appreciated neat, on the rocks, or in a Negroni where its warm barrel character complements sweet vermouth and Campari beautifully.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Oak and vanilla lead with citrus — pine, orange peel, and juniper alongside toffee and baking spice. Honeysuckle and elderflower add floral lift. The nose reads more like whiskey-adjacent than classic gin.
• Palate: Sweet citrus and florals open, then rye character kicks in with caramelized oak, a punch of barrel char, and grainy spice. Almond and fresh lemon follow, with juniper returning through the mid-palate. A touch of chocolate and vanilla from the barrel.
• Finish: Long and warm with lemon peel, subtle licorice, and a lingering rye spice. The barrel's influence fades into a gentle juniper close.

Specs

• Distillery: Rabbit Hole Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
• Style: Barrel-Aged Gin — London Dry Gin finished in Kentucky Rye Whiskey barrels
• Botanicals: Juniper, angelica, orange peel, lemon peel, licorice, coriander, orris root
• Barrel: New American Oak (#3 char), wood-fired by Kelvin Cooperage, previously held Boxergrail Straight Rye Whiskey
• ABV: 44.5% (89 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

Browse our full selection of gin at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Rabbit Hole Bespoke Gin taste like? Oak, vanilla, and citrus on the nose with toffee and baking spice. The palate opens with sweet citrus and florals, then rye character kicks in with caramelized oak, almond, and barrel char. The finish is long and warm with lemon peel, licorice, and lingering rye spice.
• What makes Bespoke Gin unique? It is the world’s only gin finished in Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey barrels. The same new American oak casks that aged Rabbit Hole's Boxergrail Rye are then filled with London Dry Gin, imparting warmth, spice, and a distinctive golden hue.
• Is Bespoke Gin good for cocktails? Best in a Negroni where the barrel warmth and spice complement sweet vermouth and Campari. Also excellent neat or on the rocks. The barrel character can overwhelm lighter cocktail styles — lean toward spirit-forward serves.
• Why is the gin gold-colored? The color comes from the American oak barrels, which transfer tannins, vanillin, and color compounds into the gin during the finishing period — the same process that gives whiskey its color.
• What is Boxergrail Rye Whiskey? Rabbit Hole’s award-winning Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, aged in #3 toasted and charred new American oak barrels made by Kelvin Cooperage. The same barrels are then used to finish Bespoke Gin.