A botanical-forward gin that balances accessibility with a distinctly Virginia identity.
Part of the Virginia Trio, this gin brings together multiple distilleries to create a terroir-driven expression rooted in both tradition and local identity. Built on a London Dry framework but layered with native botanicals, it aims to bridge familiarity with regional nuance.
Stats
- Age: Unaged
- Proof: 90 (45% ABV)
- Mashbill: Neutral spirits with London dry botanicals (Italian juniper, angelica, coriander, orris root, lemon peel) as well as native Virginia botanicals (pawpaw, rose, sassafras, sumac, cardamom, cubeb, and aniseed)
- Origin: Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distiller (Middleburg, VA), Virago Spirits (Richmond, VA), Vitae Spirits (Charlottesville, VA)
- Release: Limited release (2,400 sets total), blended
- MSRP: $124.99 (Trio pack – VA ABC)
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Bright lemon peel, cucumber, soft sweetness, and a pronounced dill note lead the way, while restrained juniper keeps the profile approachable rather than aggressively pine-forward.
- Palate: Gentle and slightly creamy with balanced sweetness and soft botanical character. Less layered than the nose suggests, but very easy to sip.
- Finish: Citrus and light pepper linger cleanly with a subtle return of dill and herbal spice on the back end.
An approachable, balanced gin that leans into brightness without letting juniper dominate. The dill note adds personality: polarizing for some, but it keeps the profile from feeling generic.
Presentation
The packaging carries equal weight alongside the spirits themselves. Norfolk-based artist Mark Todd (M.C. Todd Design) was commissioned to create a triptych-style design where each bottle contributes to a continuous visual narrative of the James River flowing from Virginia’s mountains to its coastline. A subtle river-shaped window cut into the display box reinforces the connective thread between regions, distilleries, and styles—less three separate bottles than one shared idea expressed three different ways.
Todd’s work feels deeply rooted in Virginia itself. Raised in Suffolk and now based in Norfolk, his background in advertising and illustration informs a design approach that is both highly detailed and story-driven. The artwork captures the Commonwealth’s landscape, history, agriculture, and sense of place without feeling overly romanticized or forced. The deeper you look, the more details reveal themselves.
It’s among the most thoughtful presentations I’ve seen from a modern craft spirits release. My only criticism is practical rather than artistic: the complexity of the label artwork appears to require a thicker application, leading to occasional bubbling that slightly detracts from the otherwise premium feel.
Distinctiveness
A thoughtful balance between classic structure and local expression.
The integration of Virginia botanicals adds identity without straying too far from what makes gin recognizable.
For lack of a better word, absolutely crushable, straight, over ice, or in a cocktail.
“A Once-in-250-Years Collaboration”
— Virigina Spirits
Transparency
Clear botanical breakdown and named collaborators.
The project leans into its multi-distillery identity rather than simplifying it, an appreciated level of openness.
Value
The retail pricing of $125 for the trio breaks down to roughly $42 per 375ml bottle, or about $84 equivalent at full 750ml sizing. On liquid alone, that’s certainly premium territory for gin. Still, the value proposition here extends far beyond what’s in the glass.
This project represents an almost unprecedented level of collaboration between Virginia distilleries across multiple regions, requiring an enormous amount of coordination, blending, and artistic direction to execute cohesively. Add in the locally commissioned artwork from Mark Todd, the collectors-style presentation, and the triptych-inspired display box, and the release begins to feel more like a commemorative piece than a standard bottle purchase.
As a standalone spirit, the gin is versatile and approachable enough to justify revisiting regularly. But much of its value comes from its place within the broader collaborative vision.
Buy if:
- You want a balanced, approachable gin
- You’re curious about terroir-driven botanicals
- You enjoy subtle twists on classic profiles
- You are a collector of limited edition sets, especially locally driven.
Skip if:
- You dislike dill-forward profiles
- You prefer aggressively juniper-heavy gins
- You put value in the liquid alone and don’t care about limited editions, exclusive distillery collaboration or stories.
Verdict
Not a reinvention but a refinement with regional character. Easy to return to, easy to recommend.
For those who prefer numbers, here’s the full score breakdown:
- Nose: 5 / 7
- Palate: 5 / 7
- Finish: 5 / 7
- Presentation: 6.75 / 7
- Distinctiveness: 5.5 / 7
- Transparency: 7 / 7
- Value: 5.04 / 7
Bourbon Bishop Rating: 5.61 / 7 – Divine
Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style.
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable. |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
Disclosure: This bottle was provided to me free of charge for review. All opinions are my own.
The Distilleries Behind the Gin
Mt. Defiance C & D
- Location: Middleburg, VA
- Specialty: Cider, brandy, botanical spirits
- Role: Botanical development & distillation
Virago Spirits
- Location: Richmond, VA
- Specialty: Botanical-forward spirits
- Role: Blending & botanical integration
Vitae Spirits
- Location: Charlottesville, VA
- Specialty: Rum, gin, experimental spirits
- Role: Distillation support & blending
The Distillers & Blenders
The gin project was led by Peter Ahlf of Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery with blending and distillation support provided by Barry Haneberg (Virago Spirits) and Peter Morgner (Vitae Spirits).
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