Sarticious gin
Posted on Feb 25, 2008 under Santa Cruz, Wines and Spirits, sarticious by stett | No Comment
I’m not a gin drinker, but after a taste of Santa Cruz-made Sarticious gin I think I’ll become one. The highly aromatic, spice-infused gin is good enough to drink straight up. The liquor is perfumed with flavors of coriander, juniper, cardamom, cinnamon, and other spices. It’s flat-out delicious. I can’t wait to make a martini with it.
As intriguing as the gin is, the man behind the booze is a piece of work, too. Jeff Alexander built the Los Gatos Brewery and later turned to wine making. He runs Alexander Cellars in the same space as his distillery. (His oaky, but non-buttery chardonnay and powerful zinfandel are great). He also put in time at Alameda’s St. George Spirits, makers of the revered Hangar One vodka. Intrigued with making spirits, and gently nudged out the door of St. George, he starting making his own liquor. I asked him what got him into the wine and spirits business and his answer was simple: “I like to drink.”
