Review: Pilot House Distilling Gin & Tonic and Astoria Mary

To date we’ve only reviewed one offering from Astoria, Oregon-based Pilot House Distilling, its Painted Lady Gin. Now we’re back with a pair of ready-to-drinks — both very familiar cocktails made with Pilot House’s own spirits.

Both are sold in 12 oz cans (2 servings each) and hit a reasonable 10% abv.

Pilot House Distilling Gin & Tonic Review

Painted Lady Gin with tonic, plus natural and artificial flavors. That last bit raises an eyebrow, but I can’t argue with the results. There’s lots of bitter quinine here leading the way to a gently gin-heavy midsection. The heavy florals of Painted Lady aren’t as overwhelming in the cocktail, though you certainly won’t miss a potpourri element that lingers in the glass. A twist of lime is welcome and not overly dominant, nor does it come across as heavily artificial, though from the sound of it… B+

Pilot House Distilling Astoria Mary Review

A Bloody Mary made with Pilot House’s jalapeno lime vodka and its own mild Bloody Mary mix. It’s a credible rendition of the cocktail, though it comes across on the sweet side, the tomatoes feeling closer to something I’d use for pasta sauce than for beverage use. Meanwhile plenty of black pepper and cracking jalapeno provide a strong layer of spice over the top — and creeping its way to the back of the throat. The two elements never quite come into balance with each other, though there’s nothing particularly off about the experience. It’s just that what’s lacking are much in the way of the nuanced flavors of Worcestershire, garlic, and onion — the stuff that makes a “good enough” Bloody great. B

each $16 per four-pack of 12 oz cans

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