Russia is known for its vodka, Scotland for its Scotch.
But Ferndale for its gin?
That's right.
The Valentine Distilling Co. of Ferndale is putting the little suburb on the map.
CBS Detroit reports that the company gin won "Best Category -- Gold Medal" at the American Distilling Institute seventh annual Judging of Artisan American Spirits and the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) International Review of Spirits Competition. It also received the prestigious “Best of Class” award.
Rifino Valentine
CBS Detroit reports it was one of 66 American gins entered and judged by a panel of judges in a blind tasting test.
The organization’s website, Tastings.com wrote the Valentine gin is: “Clear. Attractive aromas of peppery cinnamon, honey cardamom pastry, dried citrus, and candied juniper with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a zesty melange of citrus, herbal roots, anise, pink peppercorn, cinnamon bark, and chalk notes on the long finish. A well balanced and spice forward gin for all applications.”
“Our goal from the beginning, has been to bring manufacturing back not only to this country, but to Detroit,” Rifino Valentine, master distiller and owner of the company, told CBS Detroit.
