Breckenridge Gin 750ml

Breckenridge Distillery calls itself "the World's Highest Distillery," distilling at 9,600 feet in the Colorado Rockies — and founder Bryan Nolt is genuinely convinced the location itself is part of what makes the gin work. "In Breckenridge, we have fresh snowmelt water that's full of minerals and has its own flavor," he explained. "The pH is perfect and the minerals add taste to our spirits just as salt adds flavor to foods." Head Distiller Hans Stafsholt builds the gin around a genuinely thoughtful juniper selection to start — a particular variety chosen specifically for its vibrancy and berry juiciness, lighter and more approachable than juniper used in many other gins, making Breckenridge a genuinely good starting point for anyone new to the category.

The gin combines a total of eleven carefully selected botanicals, produced through a dual-method process combining maceration with gin basket distillation, using a custom-built Vendome copper pot still. Coriander plays a major role in the recipe — Stafsholt notes it lends "an intense, tart and almost holiday flavor" that pairs especially well with citrus — and the interplay of orange, lemon, and the rest of the botanical bill produces a genuinely distinctive aromatic profile Stafsholt has described, half-jokingly, as smelling almost like "Froot Loops" during distillation. The base spirit is 100% neutral grain spirit, distilled entirely from grain.

The results have earned real, independently judged recognition: World's Best Compound Gin at the 2021 World Gin Awards by Gin Magazine, Double Gold at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Double Gold at the 2019 Sunset International Spirits Competition, and 95 Points at the New York International Spirits Competition. Forbes Magazine named it the Best Gin for Camping, writing: "you'll need a solid gin for the traditional version, and that's where we turn to Breckenridge Distillery's offering. You get all of the traditional botanicals, but mixed in with Rocky Mountain water." The Gin Is In's independent review found "lovely juniper notes on the nose at first," with "hints of traditional gin spice, albeit somewhat mild as far as gin noses go," developing citrus notes as it opened, the palate taking on "a bit more contemporary and botanically complex character" — "coriander and a hint of cardamom on the tip of the tongue ground the initial sensation in spice," with "lemon zest, a slightly creamy, floral tinged spice — hints of black pepper, hibiscus petal" segueing "into a more traditional back-of-the-palate combination of juniper and coriander," closing with "a moderately long finish with fair amount of heat and botanical character. Piney juniper and bitter orange." This is genuinely well-crafted, award-winning American craft gin — juniper-forward, botanically layered, and shaped by real high-altitude Colorado terroir.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Breckenridge Gin is produced by Breckenridge Distillery in Breckenridge, Colorado, distilled at 9,600 feet elevation — a location the distillery has branded "the World's Highest Distillery." The gin is made from a 100% neutral grain spirit base, infused with eleven carefully selected botanicals through a combination of maceration and gin basket distillation, using a custom-built Vendome copper pot still shared across the distillery's full spirits lineup.

The gin's water comes directly from Rocky Mountain snowmelt, mineral-rich and naturally pH-balanced, which founder Bryan Nolt credits with adding genuine flavor character to the finished spirit. The botanical bill leads with a specially selected juniper variety chosen for its vibrancy and berry juiciness, joined by coriander, cardamom, citrus, lavender, and hibiscus among the eleven total botanicals. Bottled at 45% ABV / 90 proof.

Critics Reviews

World's Best Compound Gin — World Gin Awards, 2021 (Gin Magazine)

Double Gold Medal — San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2022

Double Gold Medal — Sunset International Spirits Competition, 2019

95 Points — New York International Spirits Competition

Forbes Magazine — Best Gin for Camping:
"You'll need a solid gin for the traditional version, and that's where we turn to Breckenridge Distillery's offering. You get all of the traditional botanicals, but mixed in with Rocky Mountain water."

The Gin Is In (extended independent review):
"Lovely juniper notes on the nose at first. Hints of traditional gin spice, albeit somewhat mild as far as gin noses go. Rather classic in character, with a slight amount of heat from the base spirit. It takes a moment for some of its character to open up — after a few moments I started to get notes of citrus. The palate takes on a bit more contemporary and botanically complex character. Coriander and a hint of cardamom on the tip of the tongue ground the initial sensation in spice. Mid-palate there's a bit of lemon zest, with a slightly creamy, floral tinged spice — hints of black pepper, hibiscus petal segues into a more traditional back-of-the-palate combination of juniper and coriander. Breckenridge Gin has a moderately long finish with fair amount of heat and botanical character. Piney juniper and bitter orange."

Caskers (official description):
"It features a harmonious blend of eleven botanicals, with a dominant juniper flavor complemented by the bright citrus and subtle spicy undertones. This floral and spicy masterpiece has earned them the coveted title of 2021 World's Best Compound Gin."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Lovely juniper notes lead, with hints of traditional gin spice, opening after a moment into fresh citrus.

Palate
Coriander and a hint of cardamom ground the initial sensation, developing into lemon zest, floral-tinged spice, black pepper, and hibiscus petal, segueing into a classic combination of juniper and coriander at the back of the palate. Subtle lavender adds further floral character.

Finish
Moderately long, with fair heat and genuine botanical character, closing on piney juniper and bitter orange.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Smoked salmon or cured trout
• Goat cheese with honey
• Grilled shrimp with lemon
• Thai green curry
• Dark chocolate with orange peel

Cocktail Suggestions

Gin & Tonic
2 oz Breckenridge Gin · premium tonic water · lemon twist.

Of All The Gin Joints (Breckenridge's own signature cocktail)