Product Reviews and Awards

Our products have won a variety of prestigious awards and great reviews - here are some recent comments and tasting notes.

Distiller's Gin No. 6

• Best-rated among a variety of artisan gins by Time Out Chicago - "This floral spirit is rife with unusual (and unusually delicious) flavors for a gin, like lavender." Feb 2008
• "A modern-style gin ... smooth and refined" - New York Times, Nov 2007
• Rated Best Gin by Chicago Magazine over Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's and Tanqueray 10, Jan 2007 (.pdf)
• Gold Medal/Exceptional Rating - Beverage Testing Institute, 2006
Tasting notes: "Clear. Lime peel, cinnamon stick, and herbal juniper aromas are intense. A round, vibrant entry leads to a dryish full-bodied palate with robust juniper, cinnamon bark, sweet lemon peels, cloves, and peppery spice. Finishes with a lingering fade of sweet herbs and a touch of minerals and honey. Super fresh, three-dimensional juniper, cinnamon bark, and spice character really jumps out at you. Wow!"
• Bronze Medal, 2007 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
• 4.5 out of 5, a "damn good gin" - Gin Reviews Blog, Dec 2007

North Shore Vodka

• Highly rated among a variety of artisan vodkas by Time Out Chicago - "Straight from Lake Bluff, this beauty drinks clean and finishes cleaner, remaining cool and alcohol-free (at least in flavor) all the way down." Feb 2008
• "[A]n admirable job... smooth and elegant and would make an excellent martini." - New York Times, Nov 2007
• 5 Stars - Backlit Vodka Lounge, online spirits rating site, April 2007
• "Amazingly smooth, crisp and clean... great straight out of the freezer" - Epicurious.com, August 2006

Tahitian Vanilla Vodka

• "Like vanilla vodka? Prepare to have your mind blown..." - Time Out Chicago, Jan 2007
• "The depth of vanilla flavor was outstanding…" - Forest & Bluff Magazine, Oct 2006

Aquavit Private Reserve

• Gold Medal, 2007 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
• “Crisp and smooth... the flavors were complex and well-balanced. I highly recommend North Shore Aquavit." - Pro Bono Baker Blog, March 2007