Coit Spirits Caravan Gin is a contemporary American gin distilled with Russian Caravan tea, whose Lapsang Souchong leaves are dried over burning pine needles for a gentle smoke, bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV).
Coit Spirits comes from long-time Napa Valley vintners, lovers of spirits and enamored by gin, who have bottled more than 48 vintages of wine in three countries. Their brand pays tribute to the undaunted courage and daring boldness of San Francisco's Lillie Hitchcock Coit, and the see-through bottle incorporates Coit Tower into its shape.
Caravan tea has a storied past. Its leaves are dried over burning pine needles, a 17th-century process that imparts a smoky note in place of traditional air-drying, and the readied tea was carried by camel, with other spices, along the Silk Road to the Russian tsars.
Coit puts the tea in the still, and the distillation captures the rich notes of the Lapsang Souchong leaf. Companion botanicals of green cardamom pods, lavender and Indonesian long pepper carefully frame the tea, giving the gin a titillating smoke note akin to smoke-peated whisky, balanced by aromatic spice.
A gin that dares to be different, it makes a fascinating smoky Negroni or Martini, and a Gin & Tonic with a twist of orange shows off its tea and spice.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Smoky Lapsang Souchong tea, cardamom.
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Palate: Tea, gentle smoke, long pepper, lavender.
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Finish: Smoky and aromatic.
Specifications
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Producer: Coit Spirits, California
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Style: Contemporary distilled tea gin
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Tea: Russian Caravan (Lapsang Souchong)
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Botanicals: Green cardamom, lavender, Indonesian long pepper
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Proof / ABV: 94 proof (47% ABV)
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Stir a smoky Negroni or a Martini, or mix a Gin & Tonic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the smoke come from?
The tea leaves are dried over burning pine needles.
What is Russian Caravan tea?
Tea once carried by camel on the Silk Road to the Russian tsars.
What does it taste like?
Smoky tea framed by cardamom, lavender and long pepper.
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