Pemberton Distillery Schramm Gin

Pemberton Distillery
Schramm Gin
Pemberton, BC

$50-55 for 750ml  +770628  available at distillery and select private liquor stores

Locally, Pemberton is known by another name – Spud Valley. Rightfully renowned for the quality of its potatoes, this small farming community north of Whistler is a world supplier of both seed and high grade table potatoes. And now, home to a premium gin.

Pemberton Distillery leapt to the top of the local distillery movement with their Schramm Vodka, and have recently released a sister spirit, Schramm Gin. The recipes were created by Master Distiller, Tyler Schramm, who completed his Masters in Science on the complex art and science of potato vodka distillation. Of course, this all began with the famous spuds. In the summer of 2002, Tyler Schramm and his brother, Jonathan, were discussing possibilities for Jonathan and his wife’s small potato farm in the fertile Pemberton Valley. The brothers realized that Pemberton’s fine potatoes and the pristine glacial waters from the mountain creeks would provide the perfect ingredients for premium spirits. Now, buoyed by a couple of years of critical success with the Vodka, Tyler has perfected and released his gin.

Schramm Gin is one of a few rare gins produced using a potato base spirit. Eight organic herbs and botanicals infuse the spirit before completing the gin distillation. Traditional elements like juniper and coriander are included, along with local originals like rosemary and hops. The blend changes with each batch number, as Tyler tinkers with the recipe and the availability and seasonality of ingredients (currently on batch #02). Each batch run yields approximately 250 bottles, and no sugar or colouring agents are added following distillation to preserve the purest essence of the finished spirit. Pemberton is currently the only craft distillery in Canada producing gin from a base spirit that they’ve made themselves, meaning they control the entire production – from mash and fermentation right through to the slow distillation and hand bottling.

Remarkably, the terroir of Spud Valley shines through. There is a definitely savoury, earthy element to the Gin, with perfumed rosemary, cinnamon and juniper folded into a feint bitter citrus, cold potatoes, dew-in-the-early-morning freshness. An interesting dusky headiness permeates, leading my mind down a path of savoury cocktail delights. The hefty bottle and catchy label would make a fine addition to any back bar – professional or amateur.

Pemberton Distillery has also released a line of artisan extracts and cocktail elixirs, including Artisan Tonic Elixir and Rosemary & Ginger.

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Pemberton Distillery Schramm Gin

Remarkably, the terroir of Pemberton (aka Spud Valley) shines through. There is a definitely savoury, earthy element to the Gin, with perfumed rosemary, cinnamon and juniper folded into a bitter citrus, cold potatoes, dew-in-the-early-morning freshness. An interesting dusky headiness permeates, leading my mind down a path of savoury cocktail delights.