Bottled at Revelton Distillery, the barrel-rested gin was created specifically for Django. The French restaurant plans to use it in future house and feature cocktails for as long as supplies last. Photo courtesy of Django.
Writer: Karla Walsh
If you’re seeking a new sip to savor, make a reservation at Django ASAP.
That’s because tomorrow (Oct. 13) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the downtown bistro will host a barrel release party at their new, next-door event space called the Reinhardt Room (1430 Locust St.). The event will celebrate the release of a private barrel of gin produced by Osceola-based Revelton Distillery. The gin was hand-selected by Derek Eidson, executive chef/partner at Django.
If you want to get in on tomorrow’s action, tickets ($40 each) to the event are available here. But hurry: Sales close tomorrow at 3 p.m. If you can’t make the tasting, don’t worry; the gin will be featured in Django’s cocktails until it runs out, Eidson says.
Revelton co-owners Rob and Christi Taylor “are great friends of Django,” Eidson says. “Their approach to producing a quality product aligns with our values at Django, and the fact that the distillery is so close to Des Moines is a plus.”
Django has been showcasing Revelton’s standard gin in select house cocktails since the distillery opened in December 2020. This barrel-rested gin (pictured above) was Eidson’s top choice for Django’s private barrel, because it delivers floral and juniper notes up front, but “the finish has an immense amount of candied and caramel orange flavor, with vanilla and a hint of oak. All of these characteristics you find more in bourbon.”
For the past four years or so, Django has featured private barrel picks of bourbon and rye, but this is the first gin. “It’s just so different from any other spirit on the market. We were looking for something that was decidedly gin but with some classic whiskey characteristics that the barrel imparts,” Eidson says.
For upcoming tasting events, keep an eye on Django’s website, Facebook page and Instagram account (@djangodsm). “We will continue to do gin as well as whiskey and rye barrel selections with Revelton in the future,” Eidson says.
