Letherbee

Few gins unfold like Letherbee's flagship tipple — a Chicago-made, grain-neutral spirit distilled by hand with a clean yet robust blend of 11 botanicals. Juniper berries spearhead a mélange of spices, including coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon, while cubeb berries evoke a touch of pepper and a hit of ginger in the finish. Dried lemon peel and orange pith lend the dry, balanced concoction a bit of

room for keen drinkers to pick up subtle notes of licorice and almond. At 96 proof, Letherbee Gin shines in all contexts, whether sipped straight, louched with a few drops of water until slightly cloudy, or mixed in a refined cocktail. Letherbee's Barrel-Aged Absinthe draws its caramel hue from a six-month stint in unused, charred-oak casks. A straightforward white absinthe recipe mellows in the aging process, softening the anise notes to let sumptuous floral and spice layers resonate. Besides the color, the full-sized barrels also imbue the Absinthe Brun with toasty hints of vanilla and caramel. Bottled at 126 proof, the spirit-forward drink is an addictive sipper that can also add depth to a variety of cocktails. Just as Letherbee Distillers concocted a limited-run Autumnal Gin in the waning months of 2012, the Chicago crew now honors Spring with a similarly rare Vernal Gin. It's fresh, fragrant, and softly layered — upfront notes of chrysanthemum flower resonate amidst hints of chamomile, arnica flower, and jasmine. And while juniper and coriander remain at its backbone, the Vernal sipper plays with the basic concept of gin. Within each 96-proof bottle, a sprig of buffalo grass soaks in the un-chill filtered spirit, adding a touch of vanillin sweetness and a subtle green hue. Franklin for a refined rendition of wormwood liqueur called Bäsk Brännvin. The violently bitter shot initially hits with flavors of grapefruit before an onslaught of wormwood herb alongside earthy gentian root — an effect that lingers on the palate for quite a surprising while. Beneath the acrid din of the more acute tasting notes rests more gentle traces of juniper, star anise, and elderflower musk. Bottled at 100 proof,Letherbee's Bäsk Brännvin remains an esoteric shot for adventurous drinkers, but the bitter liqueur can be gracefully incorporated into sophisticated cocktails.