Aviation Gin

Aviation is the original "American Dry" gin — a category that's softer and more floral than London Dry. The recipe leans on cardamom, lavender, sarsaparilla, and Indian coriander rather than the juniper-forward backbone of Tanqueray or Beefeater. Aviation is distilled in Portland, Oregon, was launched in 2006, and is now famously co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds. It's bottled at 42% ABV.

Floral and savory rather than piney. The cardamom and coriander come through first; the lavender lifts on the back end; the juniper is present but not dominant. There's a soft, almost vanilla-like finish that's unusual in a London Dry — it makes Aviation a friendly choice for drinkers transitioning into gin from vodka, and a versatile cocktail base across the modern gin canon. Aviation runs at $34.09 — among the most accessible price points in the premium American gin tier.

The Aviation cocktail is a pre-Prohibition classic — gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette — that gets its name and its sky-blue color from the violet liqueur. Aviation Gin was named after the cocktail (not the other way around) and was specifically designed to make a great Aviation cocktail. The recipe: 2 oz Aviation Gin, ¾ oz fresh lemon, ½ oz maraschino, ¼ oz crème de violette. Shake, double-strain into a coupe, garnish with a brandied cherry. The cocktail is a strong showcase for the gin's floral profile.

Both are non-traditional, character-driven gins, but the profiles are different. Hendrick's ($45.99) is built on cucumber and Bulgarian rose; Aviation is built on cardamom and lavender. Hendrick's drinks more savory-cool; Aviation drinks more floral-warm. In a Gin & Tonic, Hendrick's gets cucumber as the garnish; Aviation gets pink grapefruit or lemon. Drinkers who already own Hendrick's often pick up Aviation as their second premium gin, and vice versa. Both bottles are featured in our spring gin guide.

It's one of the easiest gin gifts to give. The bottle is striking (the deep blue label and silver foil read elegantly under any kitchen light), the floral profile is almost universally well-received, and the price tier sits right in the comfortable gift bracket. Pair it with a small bottle of crème de violette and you've gifted both a great gin and a complete Aviation cocktail kit. Our Mother's Day gin cocktail guide is the right companion for the gift recipient.

Three logical next bottles in the same floral, character-driven lane: Hendrick's Gin for the cucumber-and-rose Scottish style; Monkey 47 ($79.99) for the German Black Forest 47-botanical approach; and Hendrick's Flora Adora ($49.99) for a softer peony-and-sweet-flag profile. The broader gin collection covers the full landscape, and the Aviation Gin 6 x 50ml mini set ($23.99) is a way to share or sample the bottle before committing to a 750ml.