Distillery No. 209

One of the best gins in the market just happens to be in our own backyard!If you haven't had a Negroni (gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari) made with Distillery No. 209 gin, then you're missing out on one of life's simple pleasures. Hell, even a Gin & Tonic made with 209 is a refreshing treat on a hot day. I highly recommend visiting their distillery on Pier 50 (next to AT & T Park), which, coincidentally, is the birthplace of the gin martini (true story). In the past, they've offered private tours and tastings at the facility. I remember a few years back, they hosted a fun cocktail making class. A group was divided into to teams of 4 people and given a medley of ingredients, and they all competed to make the best tasting gin libation. Believe me when I say, in competitions like these, EVERYONE is a winner.The next time you're at an upscale bar and in the mood for a tasty gin beverage. Be sure to ask for 209 gin. Trust me, you'll thank me for it.

I love gin. I love it when I mention gin because "The Others" look at me in horror (!) ... while I just smile knowingly. I love drinking gin with my best girlfriend who introduced me to the finer points of a real god damn martini... and her 70-something year old dad who taught her such. I only wish I got to meet her mom before she passed, who was a gin drinker too. Go, mom. Knowing that.. trust me when I say 209 is a very worthy gin. I was first introduced to it at AP Stumps in San Jose. I sought it out for home and had a a beautiful martini last night... all frosty and silver. I'll be keeping this on hand from now on. Thank you 209.Please.. stir gently... don't shake. I don't like icebergs watering down my martini. Please put a little vermouth in... just a splash... and an olive or onion. Now pass me a steak, or an oyster on the half shell. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......................

I used to think I didn't really like Gin - I mean I wouldn't turn down a G&T if that was the only cocktail being offered, but I never ordered it from a bar. Distillery 209 has totally changed my opinion of Gin. Now I know that I just don't like most Gin but I really really like Distillery 209 Gin. Why is so much better? I don't have the palate to understand or the vocabulary to explain if I did. See mynameisdavid's review, Monica's review, Stephanie's review.... or better yet just drink some and see for yourself. PS Thanks Distillery 209, more kinds of booze I like to drink is just what I needed in my life.

An automatic 3-4 stars for any new boutique gin to come on the market, and this one is extra good. More of a clean tasting style along the lines of Leyden's, not a botanical bomb like Sapphire. If you are in the mood for botanicals, you can mix your 209 with Vya dry vermouth for a delicious martini. Enjoy in moderation, and always remember to heed Martyn Jacques' woeful words of warning:To him remarked his fiance As he was set to go away,"Whatever peril you are in Swear you won't resort to gin".Once he arrived in regions far He went to visit the bazaar.Against the fearful native din He thought to take a sip of gin.When he, arrayed in khaki pants, Would go out hunting elephants.The sun would make his head spin, He took a thermos full of gin.As fierce uprisings were put down. Time after time inside the townHe celebrated every win By toasting all his troops in gin.He mumbled "I'm awfully tired", Then shortly after he expired,But not before one last tin Of something that was labelled gin.His fiance came with a wreath Where he was laid six feet beneath,Abandoned by his kith and kin Because he had succumbed to gin.

Nasty Bathtub Moonshine.I hate to look a gin horse in the mouth, but after drinking free gin from Distillery 209 all night last night, I was less than impressed, and I am not usually one to bite the hand that imbibes me.I love gin. I really love gin. I am happy just drinking it straight, but the Formula 209 I was drinking last night was not good gin. Aside from the complex flavors and unique mouth feel of a good gin, what I love is the clean drunkenness it provides and the minimal after-effects it has on my body. This gin was not smooth going down, nor did it settle well and I woke up with the closest thing to a hangover I have ever had, and I don't get hangovers. This stuff will not be finding its way into my liquor cabinet.

What a gem! I'll be honest. I've never been a huge gin fan and ever since the "incident" in 2005, I've steered clear of the stuff. When the opportunity to check out the digs and still at 209 came up, I decided to put my ill will aside, and I'm so glad I did! 209 is located at pier 50, and if you're lucky enough to get in, you can check out where they keep the botanicals, learn a touch about how gin is made, "nose" the ingredients, and sip the final product. Surprisingly, I liked it - it didn't have the overly perfumed flavor that most Gins seem to have.Check it out if you can, this is a blast!

Wow, so much good to say about this brand! You know the best Vodka and Gin in SF! I work on the board of a non-profit Folsom Street Events we have a couple of small fairs each year. One for 15,000 and the other for 250,000 and I wouldn't serve my guests anything but the best! This is why I keep coming back year after year to Distillery 209! If you see it in your local pub give it a try. You might be writing the next amazing review for them! Cheers Jessie VancielDirector of BeveragesFolsom Street Events

I'm in the bar business and always a bit skeptical about new spirits being pitched my way (I hit a wall with mint chocolate vodka). However, I accepted an invitation for a tour and tasting at the 209 distillery. Any doubt I had quickly disappeared upon entering the facility. The distillery is pristine with an enormous copper kettle as it's centerpiece. There are flavor development areas where Arnie, the Master Distiller, mixes cardamon, bergamot, cassia and other components to create a beautifully smooth & aromatic gin. There's even a mini bottling line where Arnie and his assistant bottle and package the gin themselves. As a bartender I often suggest substituting 209 in traditional vodka based cocktails to add more complexity. I'm not a pitchman for 209. Just inspired by their creativity and focus on creating the best product they can. Oh, and one extra star for helping San Francisco defend it's title as the Food and Beverage Heavyweight Champ

I've heard about 209 gin for a while, but I have not had the occassion to try it. I love gin (I know, shocker, Blake loves alcohol...), but when I go to make my gin purchase at the store I go for standards like Tanq or Bombay. Last night at the Yelp Elite event they were pouring complimentary G&T's with 209 gin. My first thought, "how dare you." I couldn't be helped not to have one. I ended up have 4. They were terrific. I have yet to have this gin in pure (read: Martini) form, but all signs point to it being a clean and tasty gin. And you have to love the local boys. I went home after the event and noticed that my stock of gin was dwindling--you can bet that I will be looking to purchase a bottle of 209 in the near future.

Very smooth, drinkable, clean gin. I'd rate it as being a bit better than Tanqueray.Honestly, it's probably much better, but my personal preference goes toward the more aromatic, herbal gins - Sapphire, Tanq 10, and especially Citadel which is hands-down my favorite - so the clean flavor of 209 doesn't do all that much for me.