Jettywave’s California Botanical Gin quickly became a favorite, an effortless escape to Half Moon Bay in a glass. As its first year came to a close, a few barrels remained from our whiskey program, inviting an experiment with our favorite gin. We filled one with a fresh batch and set it to rest, allowing the spirit six months to settle into its new home. Time softened the edges, yielding an exceptionally smooth and refined gin. This spirit is equally suited for quiet fireside sipping or watching the sun dip below the horizon. Distilled from organic, non-GMO corn and infused with California’s bountiful botanicals, this expression is graced with nasturtiums harvested from our own Jettywave garden.
 
Recipe/Approach:
Tanya, one of our co-founders, began developing the recipe, drawing inspiration from her background and her everyday life working in and around agriculture.  As an avid home cook and entertainer, Tanya is known for layering fresh herbs and edible flowers into nearly everything she makes. She approached the gin the same way, less like a formula and more like cooking. Juniper forms the backbone, as it must, supported by familiar gin botanicals like coriander and cardamom. From there, the recipe becomes distinctly Californian: pistachio for subtle creaminess, nasturtium blossom which are abundant year-round in Half Moon Bay for a gentle peppery bite, and a selection of Tanya’s personal favorites including Meyer lemon, shiso leaf, ginger root, and thyme, all finished with a touch of black pepper. Tanya likened the process to making a rick stock, deciding which botanicals should “cook” in the still to build depth, and which should be “sprinkled on top” in the gin basket to preserve their brightest aromatics. The result is a gin that is layered, expressive, and unmistakably coastal California. 
 
Tasting Notes: 
At its core, Jettywave’s California Botanical Gin is a reflection of the place it was created, Half Moon Bay. By resting it in brand new, American Oak Barrels, its usually bright citrus notes linger behind in the barrel, leaving us with creamy pistachio, earthy ginger root, and charred oaky softness. This gin is perfect for enjoying on a big ice cube, fireside, or in a negroni cocktail. It’s classic juniper flavor harmonizes with the barrel oak, and leaves you with an elegant sipping gin.

Aroma:
On the nose, this amber liquid is piney and subtly floral. More notes of pepper and black pepper on the nose over the citrus element. Some notes of sweet oak and vanilla in the background, but not overwhelming the floral notes.