Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/455266
january/february 2015 / the tasting panel / 1 13 Persistence Makes Perfect: No. 209 Gin Persistence Makes Perfect: No. 209 Gin 87. That's the number of times Arne Hillesland, "Ginerator" at No. 209 in San Francisco, adjusted the formula for their gin before deciding it was perfect. The recipe for the complex spirit that Hillesland chose features layers of citrus—lemon then hints of orange—bergamot, coriander, cardamom and juniper, leaving the palate with cassia and other warm spice notes. Bottled at 46% alco- hol (92 proof), it's a modern take on a London dry gin. Hillesland insists that No. 209 is "not your grandfather's gin." Or as Wendi Webster Green, No. 209's Marketing Director, puts it: "No. 209 is an ultra-premium spirit that can be enjoyed by both consumers who know they like gin and consumers who don't know they like gin—the latter just doesn't know what great gin can truly taste like. It also makes for a more flavorful and refreshing cocktail." While the gin might be a contemporary offering, the distillery has roots dating back to 1870, when William Scheffler bought the patent for California rights to a new pot still design. He built a small distill- ery at his Napa Valley winery, Edge Hill Estate, in 1882. Fast-forward over a century to 1999, when well-known entrepreneur Leslie Rudd purchased the winery and found the words "Registered Distillery No. 209" painted on the building being used as a hay barn. Since the structure would not fit the new plans for the revitalized Distillery No. 209, Rudd decided to open the distillery on Pier 50 in nearby San Francisco—the birthplace of the gin Martini. Within the walls of the new location rests No. 209's nearly 25-foot-tall, alembic pot still, which was designed based on the 1,000-gallon copper Scottish Glenmorangie whisky stills and was built by Forsyth's, one of the best still manufacturers in the world. This facility also turns out a gin and vodka that are both certified kosher-for-Passover, as well as Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Reserve Gin and Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Reserve Gin—expressions that Hillesland notes "are really appreciated by wine enthusiasts and mixologists alike." It looks like the 87th time's the charm! DISTILLERY NO. 209 rests No. 209's nearly 25-foot-tall, alembic pot still, which was designed based on the 1,000-gallon copper Scottish Glenmorangie whisky stills and was built by Forsyth's, one of the best still manufacturers in the world. This facility also turns out a gin and vodka that are both certified kosher-for-Passover, as well as Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Reserve Gin and Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Reserve Gin—expressions that Hillesland notes "are really appreciated by wine enthusiasts and mixologists alike." It looks like the 87th time's the charm!