Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/126443
G'VINE GIN DE FRANCE Jean Sébastien Robicquet Jean Sébastien Robicquet's family history is grounded in the French vineyards of Cognac. Generations of his ancestors have lived and worked in this wine region, dating back to the 16th century. "The story of vines and wines was always there," explains Robicquet. "I was born and raised in vineyards." It's no surprise that he began in wine, but his interest in spirits lead him to combine the two industries in a unique and exciting way. In 2001, he formed EWG Spirits & Wine in Cognac. What transpired was a portfolio of ground-breaking, quality products, led by a team of 15 experts with varied backgrounds in wine, spirits, perfumes, cosmetics and food engineering. His subtle and smooth G'vine Floraison Small Batch Gin is the world's only gin to incorporate the essence of the vine lower from Ugni Blanc grapes. A neutral grape spirit is infused with vine lower, and a separate distillate is made from nine botanicals including coriander, cubeb berries, juniper and ginger. The distillates are combined, and there is a inal, fourth distilling before the inish. David Eliasen, VP/Distiller, and Diane Paulson, CEO/Top Bottle Washer are co-owners of Cascade Peak Spirits Distillery, home of Organic Nation Gin. ORGANIC NATION GIN David Eliasen As the Vice President and Distiller of Cascade Peak Spirits Inc., Eliasen brings his background in water quality to the foreground in great gin. His resumé includes working for the City of Ashland Water Department in hydrology for ten years and also holding the role of Water Master for a community water system in Jackson County, Oregon. He became enamored with distilling in 2006, visiting distilleries around the world with his wife, Diane Paulson, and opening his own micro-distillery with the help of training from Master Distiller Thomas Mckenzie. Eliasen's life as a distiller now focuses around the purity and beauty of water in a spirit and the fun of whimsical chemistry, resulting in his Organic Nation Gin debuting in August of 2008 to much acclaim. This unique savory gin with a notable, smooth finish is fashioned from the finest organic botanicals. Hints of black pepper, coriander, angelica and basil, to mention a few of the 12 varied botanicals, interplay for a distinctively complex nose and a slight citrus taste on the palate. FORDS GIN Simon Ford Kris Roth, Jason Kosmas, Simon Ford, Malte Barnekow and Dushan Zaric. 106 / the tasting panel / may 2013 Simon Ford is the Keith Richards of the beverage industry. Famous for his insane brand parties and for being the mastermind behind the official closing party of Tales of the Cocktail each year, he's also man with a serious resumé—especially in gin. His work includes a start in marketing at Seagram's in 1998 that transitioned into roles with some of the world's largest spirit brands, launching Plymouth Gin in more than ten countries and directing strategy for Absolut Vodka in the U.S. and U.K. Ford stepped out from under the corporate umbrella this past year to launch The 86 Co. with fellow industry maverick Dushan Zaric of Employees Only. While The 86 Co.—which