Barr Hill Reserve Old Tom Gin 750ml

Barr Hill Reserve Old Tom Gin represents the pinnacle of the distillery's honey-forward philosophy, combining their signature raw honey and juniper base with extended barrel aging to create something approaching alchemy. This limited expression pushes the boundaries of what gin can become when time, wood, and exceptional ingredients converge.

The journey begins with Caledonia Spirits' acclaimed gin made from just juniper and raw honey from their own beehives. For the Reserve edition, selected barrels receive extra attention and longer aging, allowing deeper integration of flavors. The Vermont honey, which changes subtly with the seasons based on what flowers the bees visit, adds layers of terroir that become more pronounced with extended aging. Each batch is slightly different, reflecting the natural variations in both honey and barrel character.

In the glass, the Reserve presents a beautiful amber hue deeper than the standard Tom Cat. The nose is intoxicating - raw honey mingles with juniper while the extended barrel aging contributes notes of toffee, dried fruit, and warming spices. On the palate, the texture is remarkably rich, almost liqueur-like, with the honey's sweetness balanced by wood tannins and the persistent juniper backbone. Complex flavors unfold with each sip - wildflower honey, vanilla, caramel, and a hint of leather from the extended aging.

This is sipping gin of the highest order, best enjoyed neat or with a single ice cube to open up its complexity. While it can elevate classic cocktails, many find it too precious to mix. For collectors and connoisseurs, Barr Hill Reserve represents American craft distilling at its finest - a gin that challenges preconceptions and rewards contemplation. Each bottle is a snapshot of Vermont's seasons, captured in honey and transformed by time.