gin no. 019 – Nautical American Gin

• Nautical American Gin is distilled at Berkshire Mountain Distillery in western Massachusetts.
• The botanicals, including seaweed, are sourced from all around the world.
• I got my bottle as a gift but still remember my first time trying Nautical in Nashua, NH.

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I very clearly remember the first time I had Nautical American Gin. It was July of 2017, the day of Tina’s wedding, and Sophorn and I stopped to have a drink. We were at the bar at Michael Timothy’s in Nashua, NH when I saw the curious flat-backed bottle (so it won’t roll around on a ship’s deck). I liked it from the start but never bought one. It wasn’t until years later that I got mine as a gift.

When Nautical first appeared it was a locally focused gin, distilled in Massachusetts and marketed to Boston with a Cape Cod and Islands campaign. But they are owned by Vertical Spirits in New York, and their social media is now focused on Florida. I reached out and they still make their gin at Berkshire Mountain Distillery, when their supply runs low. They aren’t hanging out at the distillery. That combined with their international collection of botanicals, and their current marketing strategy, makes it hard to call Nautical a local gin.

Although I don’t consider Nautical local, I do like it. I think it makes a very nice gin and tonic, with a bright fresh flavor. They use fifteen botanicals from all around the world: Juniper Berries and Elderberry from Croatia, Pacific Kombu from China, Rosehips and Lemongrass from Egypt, Angelica Root from Bulgaria, Orange Peel from Spain, Cinnamon from Indonesia, Orris Root from Morocco, Lemon Peel and Spearmint from the United States, Cubeb from India, Allspice from Guatemala, and Black Pepper and Coriander Seed from India.

The use of Kombu, seaweed, is particularly enjoyable and provides a subtle briny flavor that balances nicely with the citrus of the lemon peel. Additionally, the rosehips, lemongrass, and elderberry lend both sweetness and tartness. The low alcohol level, 42% ABV, makes for a light drinking gin and tonic.

I still remember fondly my first Nautical gin and tonic. It’s a good gin, a nice bottle, and I’m glad to include it in the collection. I only wish it remained a locally focused Massachusetts gin.

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