To all of my gin-loving friends, you need to know about this Texas gin made right in the heart of Austin at Still Austin Whiskey Co.!
The Naturalist is a 100% handcrafted gin made from Texas grain which highlights and reflects the Texas terroir.
The Naturalist American Gin is the first rye gin made right here in the Lone Star State. It is made from the custom base of 70% Brasetto rye and 30% non-GMO white corn provided by Texas farmers. At this local distillery, the spirit is milled and distilled in the 42-foot-tall custom column still with a bounty of 12 botanicals which includes allspice berries, coriander seeds, cinnamon, citrus peels and elderflowers.
The Palate
What sets this American made gin apart from others is the creamy mouthfeel and earthy characteristics imparted by the Texas-grown rye and white corn. The rich rye spice and cinnamon flavors are very clean and crisp on the palate with delightful peppery hints and grapefruit on the finish. It is distilled to a lower ABV which makes this Texas gin approachable and well-balanced. The Naturalist is perfect for all of your favorite gin cocktails as well as straight from glass for sipping.
The new custom gin label, second in the series, is commissioned from the internationally acclaimed artist and native Texan Marc Burckhardt. Burckhardt’s art can also be found on The Musician whiskey label. Each label honors the Texas Terroir and and celebrates the innovative people who make Austin what it is using archetypes of the “new Austin mythology.”
“The Naturalist,” becomes the second in the series. The woman in the picture is content: surrounded by lush landscape, inspired by majestic beauty and satiated with the Earth’s raw treasures, including the spirit’s multitude of botanicals hidden among the verdant surroundings.”
The small batch grain-to-glass philosophy embraced at Still Austin allows for the highest quality whiskey and gin to be produced using Texas-grown products as well as sustainable practices which further drives home it’s unique Texas beginning and identity for all to embrace and enjoy.
Gin has always been my preferred spirit for cocktails and The Naturalist has become one of my favorites and makes one of the best grapefruit cocktails I’ve had. I absolutely adore the refreshing quality of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice making the tart, sweet|sour flavors the perfect pairing for the botanicals in The Naturalist as well as highlighting the grapefruit finish.
Now that we are warming up here in Texas, The cocktail named The Outdoor Type, has quickly become my evening and weekend cocktail and I can’t wait to share this with my friends.
- 1.5 oz “The Naturalist” Texas American gin
- 1 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 0.5 Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.75 oz Simple Syrup
- Slice of grapefruit
- Fresh Rosemary Springs
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until very cold.
- Pour into a coup glass.
- Garnish with rosemary and grapefruit slices.
- NOTE: I added a sprig of rosemary to the cocktail shaker as well as a garnish.
About Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Founded in 2015 by three Austin families, Still Austin Whiskey Co. is a true grain-to-glass
Distillery, located at 440 East St. Elmo Road in the heart of Austin, Texas. All spirits are hand crafted using grains grown by Texas farmers. Still Austin’s collection of spirits includes the flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey (aka “The Musician”) and American Gin (aka “The Naturalist”). Still Austin places a high value on sustainability, with a focus on cutting carbon emissions through local sourcing, increasing the biodiversity of the region through heritage grains, returning spent grains to local ranchers to feed their animals, and operating a distillery that is designed for energy efficiency and water conservation.