Blinking Owl Dry Gin

Blinking Owl was Orange County's first craft distillery since Prohibition — founded in Santa Ana by Brian and Robin Christenson and Ryan Friesen with a grain-to-glass philosophy that almost nobody in Southern California was practicing: they made their own base spirit rather than buying neutral grain alcohol. The gin starts from a house-distilled neutral spirit of organic California wheat with a touch of organic malted barley, then carries twelve botanicals led by juniper, hibiscus — the official flower of Santa Ana — lemon peel, orange peel, and sage, producing what the distillery called a delicate, complex California botanical-style gin. Expect bright citrus and a soft floral hibiscus note on the nose over clean juniper, opening into a full-bodied palate with sage's savory herbal edge, a gentle sweetness from the wheat base, and a smooth, rounded finish. It was built to be full-bodied enough to hold up in cocktails yet delicate enough for a classic Martini — the distillery's favorite way to drink it was simply up. The tasting room on East Washington Avenue was a beloved Santa Ana hangout, its custom copper stills on full view; the distillery has since closed, which makes remaining bottles a genuine piece of Orange County craft history. Superb in a Martini, a Gimlet with fresh lime, or a G&T with a grapefruit twist. Southern California gin from a distillery that helped start the scene.

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