Scent reminiscence is a robust phenomenon. Actually, it’s supposedly our sense of scent that’s most intently associated to the formation of reminiscences, and therefore why the whiff of a particular dish can ship your thoughts reeling again to your grandmother’s kitchen. And so, it was an appreciation for the power of aroma to conjure the essence of a spot that impressed the Excessive Desert Gin from Vara Spirits in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
In our November/December 2022 concern, we discover the Albuquerque drinks scene, and, in consequence, a bottle of the Excessive Desert Gin crossed my desk. Having additionally grown up within the excessive desert of the southwest (Flagstaff, Arizona—a vacation spot price visiting), I used to be instantly struck by the gin’s distinctive aroma. Whereas the juniper is outstanding, it additionally leans closely into earthy botanicals like sage and anise. “When mountaineering in the summertime months, heavy, transient rain will usually move by means of the mountains on scorching afternoons,” explains assistant winemaker and distiller Djuna Benjamin, of her inspiration for the gin’s botanical invoice. “The notes from sage, juniper and earth co-mingle with transient humidity—a particular scent that I discover distinctive in regards to the desert in New Mexico.”
Each a vineyard and distillery, Vara crafts the Excessive Desert Gin with grape distillate, quite than grain, making a crisp and delicate medium for the botanicals to shine. A pop of shiny citrus and a slight creaminess steadiness the gin’s earthier scents and flavors. I’d preserve the preparation easy, like a Gin & Tonic or crisp martini, to understand the evocative aromas. $46, varaspirits.com
