Barrel Aged Gin Cocktails - A Guide to This Trending Craft Spirit

The Rise of Barrel Aged Gin Cocktails

In recent years, there has been a growing trend among craft distilleries to age their gins in wooden barrels. This process imparts the gin with flavors and characteristics from the wood, resulting in a bolder, more complex spirit. While barrel aged gin is often enjoyed neat or on the rocks, it also shines when used in cocktails. The woody, spicy notes pair beautifully with other ingredients, creating a nuanced drinking experience. In this article, we'll explore the origins of barrel aged gin, examine the flavor profile, and share some classic and creative cocktail recipes to make at home.

The Origins of Barrel Aged Gin

Although gin has traditionally been a clear, unaged spirit, the rising popularity of craft distilling has opened the door for experimentation. Small batch distillers are often looking for ways to distinguish their products, leading them to finish gins in barrels previously used for wines, whiskeys, and other spirits. This technique likely originated with whiskey distillers, who would sometimes store unused gin in used bourbon barrels between productions. They found the gin absorbed pleasing notes from the wood over time.

Eventually, distillers realized this was an effective way to add depth of flavor and began intentionally aging their gins. Barrel aged gins are now found across the globe, with popular brands hailing from the United States, Europe, Australia, and beyond. The next time you visit a local distillery or craft cocktail bar, don't be surprised to find a barrel aged gin on the menu!

How Barrel Aging Changes Gin's Flavor

When gin interacts with the oak barrel, both the juniper-forward spirit and the wood have an influence on each other. The gin pulls out flavors from the barrel like vanilla, caramel, spice, and dried fruit. Meanwhile, the spirit softens the wood's natural tannins. The duration of aging impacts the intensity of these flavors.

Typically, a barrel aged gin is rested for anywhere from 3 months to 2 years. Longer aging periods result in a darker color and more pronounced wood flavors. The botanicals used in the gin also play a role, as woody notes like juniper, angelica, and orris complement the barrel aging process. Overall, a barrel aged gin strikes a balance between the aromatic botanicals and the deeper flavors absorbed from the wood.

Tasting Notes for Barrel Aged Gins

When tasting a barrel aged gin for the first time, you'll immediately notice its rich golden hue, which can range from pale straw to deep amber. On the nose, expect a woodsy aroma with hints of caramel and spice. Juniper is still detectible, but it's dialed back compared to a London dry style gin.

Take a sip and you'll find it surprisingly smooth, with a velvety mouthfeel. The juniper taste is still present but more restrained. Instead, toasted oak, vanilla, and dried fruit notes move to the forefront. The finish is long with lingering caramel, cinnamon, and peppery spices. A higher proof bottle may offer an enjoyable subtle heat. These complex flavors make barrel aged gin a fantastic choice for sipping neat or elevating craft cocktails.

Choosing a Barrel Aged Gin

When buying a barrel aged gin, start by looking at bottles from local craft distilleries. This allows you to taste how the local climate and wood impart unique flavors. There are also larger gin brands releasing barrel aged expressions, often at a higher price point. While aging duration often correlates to cost, it doesn't necessarily mean more complexity. Focus on your taste preferences and the flavor notes described on the label.

Consider the ABV, as higher proof gins will taste hotter and spice-forward. Make sure to store opened gin in a cool, dark place and consume within a year for the best quality. With so many options available, it's fun to sample different barrel aged gins to find your perfect match.

Barrel Aged Gin Cocktail Recipes

Now that you have a bottle of barrel aged gin, it's time to put it to use in some delicious cocktails! The complex flavors pair beautifully with botanical liqueurs, fresh citrus, and other spirits. The oak and caramel notes also stand up well in bold, spirit-forward drinks. Here are some classic and creative barrel aged gin cocktail recipes to mix up at home:

Barrel Aged Martinez

This riff on a Martinez cocktail swaps the traditional gin for its barrel aged cousin. The woodsy, caramel gin melds seamlessly with vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz barrel aged gin
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1⁄4 oz maraschino liqueur
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Orange twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with an orange twist.

Desert Sunrise

This tropical cocktail combines barrel aged gin with pineapple, lemon, and ginger beer for a fruity, spicy kick. The caramel gin notes complement the pineapple perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz barrel aged gin
• 1.5 oz pineapple juice
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• 1.5 oz ginger beer
• Pineapple wedge, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add the gin, pineapple juice, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled.
2. Strain into an ice filled highball glass. Top with ginger beer and give a brief stir.
3. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Barrel Aged Negroni

The Negroni gets an oak-aged upgrade with this recipe. The bittersweet Campari and herbal vermouth balance beautifully with the vanilla and spice notes of the aged gin.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz barrel aged gin
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Orange twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a rocks glass filled with ice. Stir gently until chilled.
2. Express the oils from an orange twist over the drink before dropping into the glass.

Barrel Aged Bee's Knees

The Bee's Knees is taken to new heights with barrel aged gin and a dash of absinthe. The anise and botanicals play nicely with the honey and lemon.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz barrel aged gin
• 3⁄4 oz lemon juice
• 1⁄2 oz honey syrup
• 1 dash absinthe
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients except the garnish to a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously.
2. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Experiment with Barrel Aged Gin Cocktails at Home

Barrel aged gin opens up a world of flavor possibilities to enhance both classic and innovative cocktails. With its intensity and woody complexity, it adds a sophisticated edge. Next time you're playing bartender at home, grab a bottle of barrel aged gin off the shelf to give your drinks an upgrade. Just follow our recipe guides to craft a smooth Martinez, tropical Desert Sunrise, herbaceous Negroni, or vibrant Bee's Knees.

Every brand of gin and barrel will offer unique characteristics, so part of the fun is tasting and experimenting. Try aging your own gin at home with mini barrels or oak infusion spirals. Mix up these recipes with your homemade barrel aged gin for a truly personal twist. Just be sure to document your gin's transformation from clear spirit to caramel colored elixir as the wood flavor develops. Cheers to embracing barrel aged gin as an exciting new addition to your home bar lineup!

FAQs

What is barrel aged gin?

Barrel aged gin is a style of gin that has been aged in wooden barrels after distillation. This extra step imparts flavors and color from the wood into the spirit, resulting in a bolder, more complex gin.

What types of barrels are used?

Some common barrels used for aging gin include bourbon barrels, wine barrels, and sherry casks. The previous contents will influence the flavor - for example, bourbon barrels impart notes of vanilla and oak.

How long is gin aged for?

There’s no set aging duration, but it’s typically aged from 3 months to 2 years. Longer barrel aging results in more pronounced wood flavors and a darker color.

Does the ABV change?

Most barrel aged gins are bottled at a similar ABV as unaged gin, around 40-45%. However, some expressions may be slightly higher or lower proof after absorbing flavors from the barrel.

What cocktails work well with barrel aged gin?

The bolder flavor profile makes barrel aged gin excellent in spirit-forward cocktails like the Negroni or Martinez. It also pairs well with citrus, honey, and ginger beer in drinks like the Bee’s Knees and Desert Sunrise.