Black Button Distilling reintroduces Lilac Gin

Following its “overwhelming” success in 2015, Black Button Distilling has decided to produce a limited edition run of its lilac petal-infused gin every year.

Lilac Gin pays tribute to the Rochester’s botanical heritage as ‘The Flower City’

Based in Rochester, New York, the distillery first launched Lilac Gin in May last year, selling all 600 bottles in just 10 days.

Now Black Button Distilling intends to create a run of the expression each year to mark the start of spring and pay tribute to the city’s botanical heritage as ‘The Flower City’.

“The ability to use a unique local ingredient and showcase it in our own way is exactly what Black Button is all about,” said Jason Barrett, Black Button Distilling owner and head distiller.

“We have received overwhelming feedback from accounts all over the country about our Lilac Gin, and I’m sure if we could produce it year round there would be a market for it, but we need to use the flowers at the peak of their bloom – which we can’t do all year.

“This year we made 1,800 bottles and over half of those are already committed to accounts throughout western New York.”

Black Button’s Lilac Gin is made with fresh handpicked lilac petals, and offers “juniper notes mixed with fresh floral overtones” to create a “clean crisp gin with a fruity essence on the finish”.

From May 6, 600 bottles will be available for purchase in the Black Button Tasting Room, and will hit select liquor stores around the county on May 7.