Maine is producing a surprising array of gins today. Portland is the home of New England Distilling, producers of Ingenium Gin, and Cold River Gin comes from just up Route 1 in Freeport. You have to go a bit further, to Union, to find the elusive Back River Gin.
Portland is also home to Maine Craft Distilling, producers of Alchemy Dry Gin and Chesuncook Botanical Spirit (made with carrots!?), which I have not yet tried.
About that Alchemy...
It is another of that pungent tribe, like its brothers from Maine Cold River Gin and Ingenium. It has good floral notes to accompany the spicy punch. The distillers recommend it in sours and dirty Martinis. I can gladly endorse the former, but I am not so sure about the latter. Like the Ingenium and Cold River Gins, I found it excellent in cocktails with Sweet Vermouth and bitters. Break away from the Martini and the G&T and try this in the 3:1:1 family of cocktails, a Last Word, a Corpse Reviver #2 Cocktail, or a Monkey Gland.
I found Alchemy Gin at the excellent and proudly locavore Bow Street Market in Freeport.