Aviation Gin is probably best known now as the gin that Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds has a stake in, but there is a lot more to the brand than that and it is definitely more than just another celebrity spirit.
Aviation Gin was founded in 2006 by Christian Krogstad and Ryan Magarian; Christian is also known as the Founder and Master Distiller of Westward Whisky, while Ryan is a hospitality professional and bartender with over 25 years of industry experience. It’s an ideal combination for creating spirits.
Travis Tober, Director of Education and Advocacy at Aviation Gin, explained to Bars and Clubs, just how Aviation Gin came about.
“Ryan was on vacation in Las Vegas when he tasted a classic cocktail called The Aviation at the Bellagio. It was an instant ‘ah-ha’ moment. The world needed a new gin that went well with classic and modern cocktails alike.
“So when he and Christian were trying different batches they always used the Aviation Cocktail as the Litmus Test.”
The pair then set about creating the gin they wanted, one that would work well not just in the Aviation but in all the classic gin creations. Aviation is distilled with a really considered blend of eight different botanicals. This includes cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two kinds of orange peel.
Travis said: “My two favourite botanicals in Aviation are Indian Sarsaparilla and Lavender. Sarsaparilla is a pretty unique botanical in gin, while lavender is used perfectly just to have a hint of floral.”
And while a lot of gins are concentrating on bringing that juniper element to the fore, Aviation focuses a lot less on the juniper taste, and like American Gin in general is significantly less dry than their London Dry-style counterparts, featuring a lot of other opposing flavours, typically floral or citrus.
Travis told Bars and Clubs: “The taste of Aviation is not like the regular juniper-heavy gins that you’re used to, with its richness in floral, citrus and spice tasting notes. The sarsparillia adds a warm, cinnamon flavour which gives the gin an altogether earthy, flavourful taste.
“Aviation was created with versatility in mind. Although delicious when served on its own, Aviation is best prepared in the form of The Aviation, of course, the cocktail it was created and named after. If that’s not your style, Aviation pairs exceptionally with any of your favourite gin-based cocktails, G&T, Negroni, you name it.”
And what makes it such a good gin for cocktails? Travis explains: “Aviation works to push the juniper taste you’re used to, to the background. This leaves room for the stronger tasting notes of floral and citrus to achieve a rich warmth, ultimately taking your cocktails up a notch.
“I love a great well-shaken ‘Southside’ cocktail. Also a ‘Bee’s Knees’ made with a local honey is interesting because it always has a different flavour depending on where you source your ingredients.”
The Ryan Reynolds involvement came in 2018, when the star first tasted the gin and said that once he had tried the gin he “knew he had to get involved with the brand in a big way,” and so he invested in the company.
And Travis says, his involvement runs much deeper than some celebrity drinks, “Ryan becoming an integral part of Aviation was so much more than putting his face on the bottle. Unlike a lot of other celeb-owned brands, Ryan has been at the core of decision making processes behind Aviation.
“Ryan invested in the future of the company, not to boost his status, but because of a genuine passion for the brand and the flavour of the now international spirit.”
Aviation is crafted in small batches in Portland, Oregon and is available now in Australia.
