Skip to main content

Review: Philly’s Patriotic Spirit, Bluecoat Gin

Bluecoat-Gin-4
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Available since 2006 and named for the American Army’s uniforms in the Revolutionary War, Bluecoat Gin is a Philadelphia-based distillery that has, as of February, just opened a brand new production facility and tasting room.

Recommended Videos

Their flagship product (they also make a barrel-aged version) is an American Dry Gin that will appeal to London Dry gin drinkers while offering something (somewhat) completely different. In the true spirit of rebellion and independence, Bluecoat Gin has taken a British style and changed up the flavor, making it wholly American in the process.

Created in the traditional (and hand-hammered) copper pot stills, Bluecoat Gin is distilled five times and made from a base of four different grains—barley, corn, rye, and wheat. From there, juniper and other herbs (the entire list is kept a secret) are added to fill out the bouquet and flavor profile.

Bluecoat-Gin-2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Appearance: Clear with a little bit of viscosity to it. Has nice legs after a swirl.

Nose: Citrus in the form of orange peel (three types of organic citrus peel are used in the production of Bluecoat gin, including orange and lemon) and juniper come through immediately and these are backed by subtler notes of some of the other herbs in the blend, including a little bit of coriander.

Palate: Citrus and juniper again come through first, followed by what tastes closest to Angostura bitters and cardamom. This immediately brings to mind some of the possibilities for mixing—that is, citrus-forward cocktails that also have a solid, bitter backbone. There are vegetal notes that come through closer to the end that also call to mind the possibility of more garden-style cocktails (as pictured below).

Bluecoat-Gin-Cocktail
Penn’s Woods, which contains Bluecoat American Dry Gin, dill, basil, coriander, lemon, and club soda. Image used with permission by copyright holder

Finish: A medium length finish that maintains the herbaceous notes from the palate. Slightly warming on the tongue and gums as the flavor recedes.

Final Thoughts: For the price (around $35), Bluecoat Gin is a steal. When you consider the beautiful blue bottle that it comes in, it might seem like you’re getting away with some trick. A wonderfully flavorful gin with a great presentation, for half the price of many other high quality gins. It’s no joke, thankfully. The product in the bottle is worth every penny, especially if you like bright, citrusy gins.
Bluecoat Gin is 47% ABV.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Buffalo Trace Distillery announces the 2025 release of the Van Winkle Whiskey Collection
Buffalo Trace

In the American whiskey world, there’s no bigger name than Van Winkle. There are no more sought-after whiskeys than those made by Buffalo Trace and Old Rip Van Winkle. Recently, the distillery announced the 2025 release of the beloved Van Winkle Whiskey Collection. But good luck getting your hands on a bottle.

The 2025 Van Winkle Whiskey Collection

Read more
Fellow just dropped 3 gorgeous new colors for its award-winning coffee maker
Three new neutral colorways in this best-selling coffee maker just dropped
aiden precision coffee maker

Fellow, the creator of counter-worthy kitchen tools and coffee appliances designed to bring joy and magic to daily rituals, has released three new neutral colorways for its award-winning Aiden Precision Coffee Maker. Starting today, this coffee maker is available in three stylish shades: Malted Chocolate, Sesame, and Woodland.

The best-selling coffee maker, which was once available in only white or matte black, can now add a splash of color to your countertops with classic, neutral-inspired tones to add a bit of extra joy to your coffee brewing process. Each new Aiden Precision Coffee Maker features the same award-winning design and professional-grade brewing that fans have come to expect from Fellow's coffee products, delivering a cafe-style coffee with a pour-over brewing method from the comfort of your own home.

Read more
Garrison Brothers is releasing a new rye whiskey barrel-finished bourbon
Garrison Brothers

Garrison Brothers is well-known for award-winning flagship and limited-release bourbons like the popular Cowboy Bourbon, Balmorhea, and Guadalupe. Recently, the Hye, Texas-based brand announced the launch of a new bourbon hitting shelves this October.

Garrison Brothers Sonora Texas Straight Bourbon

Read more