Black Button Distilling, Rochester NY’s first 21st century craft distillery, launched their hand crafted, limited edition Lilac Gin on May 6, 2016, to commemorate the first day of Rochester’s annual Lilac Festival and mark the start of the spring season. Following the overwhelming success of the first limited edition Lilac Gin release last year — all 600 bottles were sold in just 10 days — Black Button Distilling expects to produce a limited edition Lilac Gin each year to mark the start of spring and pay tribute to Rochester’s rich botanical heritage as “The Flower City.”

“The ability to use a unique local ingredient and showcase it in our own way is exactly what Black Button is all about,” said Jason Barrett, Black Button Distilling owner/head distiller. “We have received overwhelming feedback from accounts all over the country about our Lilac Gin, and I’m sure if we could produce it year round there would be a market for it,” he said. “But we need to use the flowers at the peak of their bloom – which we can’t do all year.” Black Button’s Lilac Gin is made with hand-picked fresh lilac petals and complimentary botanicals. “This year we made 1,800 bottles and over half of those are already committed to accounts throughout Western NY,” he said.

Black Button Lilac Gin (84 proof)
Visual: Faint violet gemstone.
Nose: Floral sweetness led by a rich juniper nose. Reminiscent of Choward’s scented chewing gum. Almost subtly perfume-like. Unique and intoxicating.
Taste: More florality than on the nose. It floats above the rest of the botanical sachet and lends a delicate, feminine and somewhat Victorian air to the final product. Captivating and instantly engaging.
Finish: Short with a final, slightly bitter edge to the finish which clearly delineates the lilac penumbra from the juniper canvas which it covers.
Overall: A truly unique gin that remains simple, despite its one of a kind flavor. Of many New World reviewed on GSN, this one is top of the class. A sipping gin on its own, rather than one to mix and subdue with too many other flavorings. But, try it in a Lime Rickey or Tom Collins if you are looking for something new. Just remember that this is a highly limited edition and you’ll have to wait another twelve months before you can obtain another bottle once it’s gone!
GSN Rating: A

For more information go to: Black Button Distilling

Filed under: Spirits & Liqueurs