Barr Hill Gin Takes Fourth in “USA Today” 10Best

MONTPELIER —Barr Hill Gin, crafted by Caledonia Spirits, was awarded fourth place for 2024 in the annual USA Today 10Best competition.

Barr Hill Vodka, Gin and Tom Cat Gin rest on a beehive with a swarm of bees. Barr Hill began as an agricultural initiative between a beekeeper and a distiller.
courtesy photo

“USA Today” asked a panel of experts to nominate their top craft gin distilleries, then readers voted for the 10 best.

In announcing the fourth award for Caledonia Spirits, based in Montpelier, “USA Today” said, “Barr Hill Gin uses pure grain spirits infused with juniper berry, and raw northern honey is added just before bottling to impart a subtle floral quality. Their Tom Cat Gin gets barrel-aged for four to six months in charred American oak to give it a whiskey-like smokiness.”

Three other Vermont distilleries received 10Best awards in the competition: Third place for best craft vodka went to Vermont Spirits Distilling Co. in Quechee; Smugglers Notch Distillery of Jeffersonville was awarded third place for the best spirits tasting room and eighth in both the best craft specialty spirits and best craft vodka categories, while Saxtons River Distillery in Brattleboro placed ninth for best craft specialty spirits.

The annual 10Best rankings are awarded in categories for travel, food and lifestyle brands.