Founded in Chicago by bartender Brenton Engel, Letherbee Distillers operates as an independent, "anti-craft" craft distillery, driven by a passion for creating spirits that challenge traditional boundaries. The Tropical Vernal Gin / Redux is a triumphant ten-year anniversary re-release of their most celebrated seasonal spirit. Originally crafted to honor bartender Paul McGee and his role in the modern tiki movement, this gin serves as a "tropical time machine." By blending classic gin botanicals with the fleshy, vibrant profiles of pineapple, papaya, and toasted coconut, Letherbee has created a spirit that defies categorization. With additional nuances of vanilla, pink peppercorn, and ripe persimmon, it offers a lush, malolactic finish that acts as a seamless bridge between the worlds of gin and white rum. It is a bold, rambunctious, and refined expression of what happens when a distillery prioritizes liquid quality over convention.
This summer, as planetary shifts and cosmic intensity create a sense of chaos, we are finding our balance with a glass of calm: The Saturn. A rare masterpiece that boldly swaps traditional rum for the sophisticated botanical complexity of gin, this cocktail is the perfect antidote to the season's complexities. Invented in 1967 by J. "Popo" Galsini—a Filipino-born bartender who mastered his craft in Hollywood’s golden age of tiki—the drink was a timely tribute to the Saturn V rocket. After nearly fading into obscurity, this celestial treasure was saved by historian Jeff "Beachbum" Berry, ensuring its place in modern mixology. Traditionally blended with crushed ice for a slushy, refreshing texture, the drink is defined by its iconic garnish: a lemon twist wrapped around a cherry to mimic the planet’s famous rings. For our Q3 Gin Club, we are elevating this classic with the Letherbee 2025 Tropical Vernal Gin, a seasonal spirit offering notes of toasted coconut, pineapple, and exotic rambutan. We harmonize this "tropical time machine" with the zesty, aromatic depth of Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, the rich floral notes of El Guapo Orgeat, and the spicy, velvety finish of El Guapo Falernum. It is a sophisticated, structured, and refreshing alignment of flavors designed to ground your summer. Join us for a cosmic reset that proves even in the midst of intense astrological tides, the most stellar experiences are found right in your glass.
