Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/760410
w i n t e r 2 0 1 7 | 4 3 The Revivalist Gins constitute a grain-to-bottle collection of four innovative and handcrafted expressions—Equinox, Summertide, Harvest and Solstice—hailing from rural Pennsylvania. Created by Riannon Walsh, noted whisky expert and longtime consultant to the spirits indus- try, these distinctive gins make up the inaugural portfolio of small batch spirits from her new micro distillery enterprise, Brandywine Branch Distillers, located in Chester County. Produced exclusively at the distillery and crafted by hand, each of the gins is a refined, full-flavored spirit. Labeled seasonally, they reflect different taste profiles and echo the natural progression of the seasons and their scents. Distilled entirely on-site, each gin expression is created from carefully selected barley and wheat grains and botanicals. The botanicals are highly curated, composed and macerated by Walsh, with each gin having a foundation of juniper, angelica and coriander. Equinox has notes of citrus mélange, a touch of mint and meadowsweet and hyssop to finish; Summer- tide whispers of jasmine, rose, meadowsweet and cooling citrus; Harvest offers tastes of lemon, nut- meg, cinnamon, elderflower, orange and clove; Solstice exhibits infusions of dried cherry, anise, orange peel and ginger and is barrel rested in French oak barrels that were recently emptied of red varietal wines. Brandywine Branch Distillery, located in a huge old barn. She opened the facility to the public in the summer of 2016, showing a collection of gins under the Revivalist label. In her early '50s, wafer-thin and about five feet tall, Walsh is still in her riding gear, with spurs on her boots. "I've given up eventing," she says, referring to the more rigorous equestrian sport, "but I still do dressage." In addition to her horse, she also has two cats—Travis ("my Siamese/Bali- nese cross who's a mixture of fierce jungle hunter and snuggle bunny") and Griffin ("a ginger tabby who's a mama's boy")—two bullmastiffs, a 31-year- old Shetland and the recently acquired Sofia ("a miniature donkey with the personality of a stand-up comic.") The Revivalist A few years ago, Walsh felt she was at a crossroads. "I had sold my whiskey event, I had finished my cookbook, Whiskey Dreams, and, although I was doing some consulting, I wanted to travel less," she says. "I wanted to enjoy my farm." At about the same time, her attorney introduced her to another client of his, a successful businessman who wanted to switch careers. Thus, a financial partnership was born to launch a gin distillery in the Pennsylva- nia countryside. The distillery started operations in January 2016, Walsh says, "when we shook down the stills." It opened for business a few months later with a bistro and tasting room, and the gins are already into regional and limited national distribution. "I don't make the gins," Walsh says, "I have two distillers for that. We have a grain-to-bottle operation using Carl stills from Germany." But if she doesn't make the gins, she certainly gives them flavors and aromas. "I'm the creative end," Walsh says, working with combinations of botani- cals. "It's so much fun—I'm a cross between a perfumer and a chef." Riannon Walsh, Director of Production and Master Blender at Brandywine Branch Distillers. "This is the age of the gin revival," she explains. "The range of possibilities with gins, from mash to macera- tions, is limitless and we are thrilled to release this exceptional portfolio and bring something unique and truly special to the marketplace." For more information, go to www.brandywinebranchdistillers.com. Suggested retail price is $49.99. ■cr