Ryan Cashman 

I want to take some time this month to talk about my favorite spirit: gin. 

To some, gin may be nothing more than bad vodka infused too heavily with juniper berries, leaving nothing behind but the taste of pine pitch. I understand this criticism. 

I just believe it’s completely wrong. 

Yes, bottom shelf, Poland Spring Gin that comes in a dust covered plastic bottle and is specifically designed to be hidden behind massive quantities of mixers is terrible. However, one bad gin does not speak for all gin. 

And, if you’re a budding gin aficionado like myself, the bottom shelf is not somewhere you’ll be looking. No, you’ll be looking at the middle to top shelf, where Gordons, Beefeater, Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire live. 

These are all large, very well-respected brands. But here at PulseBrew, we’re aiming for something a little more local. So, here are two excellent Massachusetts gins distilled in two of the state’s summer playgrounds: Cape Cod and the Berkshires. 

We’ll start down the Cape, in the town of Truro. South Hollow Distillery is an extension of Truro Vineyards and is the first distillery on Cape Cod since Prohibition. South Hollow is dedicated to making the finest, small batch spirits that burst with flavor and are surprisingly affordable. They started with Rum, but have continued on to what I believe is their superior product: Dry Line Cape Cod Gin. 

Dry Line is distilled with local botanicals, making it a truly Cape Cod drink. It’s a blend of Eastern Red Cedar juniper berries, organic angelica root, and sugar cane. The result is a gin that is smooth and slightly peppery. It’s not offensive in any way. Each botanical sings its own song. Dry Line has been distilled to near perfection and is affordable at under $40 for a 750ml bottle. 

Now, we head out west to the village of Sheffield, home to Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Inc. and their masterful Greylock Gin. In 2012, the New York Times named Greylock Gin the #1 Craft Gin in the entire country. 

High praise for a small, Massachusetts distillery. And it is not misplaced praise either. 

Greylock is absolutely bursting with flavors that are correctly tuned to hit your taste buds at timed intervals. First, you taste the juniper and some of the floral notes. As it sits on your tongue you begin to feel the pull of the citrus and licorice that turns the gin sweet as it makes its way down your throat. It’s one of the few spirits that chills rather than warms. Which is what makes it perfect for sipping on a hot summer’s eve. And at $30, Greylock Gin is perfectly priced too. 

Both of these distilleries have other, outstanding products that I encourage all of you to try, but for me the true stars are the gins. Peppery, piney, citrusy and floral. Nothing beats a cold gin and tonic in the summertime. 

Thanks for putting up with my ginny tangent. Back to beer next month!