Westford Gin
is a delectable London-Dry Gin created by Master
Distiller Louis Chatey at Westford Hill Distillers, his distillery
in Ashford, Connecticut.
Licensed to distill in 1998, Louis and his wife Margaret, are
known for their award-winning spirits including eau-de-vies and
apple brandy and have broadened their spirit line with an organic vodka,
gin, and other tasty spirits at Westford Hill Distillers.
Louis and Margaret Chatey
Westford Hill Distillers
We visited Louis and Margaret
Chatey at Westford Hill Distillers to learn more about their extensive and
award-winning spirits made at their distillery in Ashford, Connecticut. Taking
a tour and tasting with Master Distiller Louis was like getting a PhD in hand-crafted
spirits. Knowledgeable, fun, and engaging, the charming Chateys educated us on
their spirits focus and the Westford Hill Distillers style.
One of the many exceptional
products we tasted during our tour was their Westford Gin. Louis Chatey
described London-Dry formula gin as having predominant juniper, cardamom,
coriander, angelica root, and dried citrus rind. Louis makes Westford Gin with
3 types of citrus zest, as opposed to typical London-Dry formulas which use
citrus rind. Secret botanicals including a blend of Italian and Macedonian
juniper go into his mix, which is distilled to 190 proof, then cut to 100
proof, before bottling at 86 proof. Westford Gin is a gin-lovers gin, with
layers of rich botanicals on the palate that will inspire many a cocktail or
culinary recipe. We loved the gin and brought some home with us to create a few
hand-crafted cocktails and culinary recipes that allow Westford Gin to sing.
Product Information:
Westford Gin, 43% Alcohol by Volume, 100% grain neutral spirits. Hand-distilled
with fresh botanicals and citrus distilled to Meetinghouse strength. With a nod to the bottle notes, the packaging
for Westford Gin is gorgeous; an antique green bottle like the original
Westford Glass Company made with a medallion homage and attractive cream label
bearing the legend of Westford Hill.
Bottle Notes: "In
1765 the colonial government granted a petition to build a meeting house atop
Westford Hill. As much discussion was given to the type of liquor deemed
needful for the occasion as was given in choosing a ministerial candidate.
Charge was given to procure a keg of Gin, along with 2 shillings per day as
wage to erect the structure. Today, 250 years later, that's still the spirit on
Westford Hill. We submit this unique Westford Gin for your consideration.
Source: E. Larned's History of Windham County."
Tasting Notes: The
nose is richly aromatic with spicy floral notes, with citrus and juniper notes
on the palate, that create a very regal, elegant, gin.
Luxury Experience was "In the
kitchen and behind the bar®" creating some incredibly special handcrafted cocktail
and culinary recipes to tempt your palate and inspire your own creations using
Westford Hill Distillers - Westford Gin.

Louis Chatey, Master Distiller
Luxury Experience Cocktail
and Culinary Menu
The Cocktail Menu
Luxury Experience - What's Up
Doc?
Luxury Experience - Hello Aloe
The Culinary Menu
Luxury Experience - Roasted
Carrot Soup
with Carrot Goat Cheese Crostini
The Cocktail Recipes
Luxury Experience - What's Up
Doc? is our playful reference to Bugs Bunny and carrots. This tasty
cocktail begins with Westford Gin, adds fresh carrot juice, dill simple
syrup, Fee Brothers Celery Bitters, and fresh lime juice. Garnish with fresh
dill. The carrots and dill simple syrup play up the flavorful notes of the gin,
and the lime juice and Fee Brothers Celery Bitters round out and balance the
cocktail. Although we juiced carrots in our juicer, bottled carrot juice works
as well. This cocktail pairs well with Luxury Experience - Roasted
Carrot Soup with Carrot Goat Cheese Crostini.
Luxury Experience - What's Up
Doc?
Yield: 1 Cocktail
Glass Used: Martini Glass
Cocktail Ingredients:
2
|
Ounces
|
|
1.5
|
Ounces
|
Fresh
Carrot Juice
|
0.25
|
Ounce
|
Dill
Simple Syrup
|
0.25
|
Ounce
|
Lime
Juice
|
3
|
Dashes
|
|
1
|
Sprig
|
Dill,
garnish
|
Dill Simple Syrup Ingredients:
1
|
Cup
|
Water
|
1
|
Cup
|
Sugar
|
1
|
Cup
|
Fresh
Dill
|
Method for the Dill Simple
Syrup: Add water, sugar, and dill to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and
boil until the liquid is clear and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let
cool. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator until ready to serve. May be
made 1- week ahead. Simple syrup is a great addition to cocktails, to sweeten
iced tea or lemonade, brush on cake layers before frosting, and can also be
used in dressings or marinades.
Method for the Cocktail: Chill
a Martini glass and set aside. In a large shaker, add all ingredients along
with four ice cubes. Shake hard until metal shaker is frosty to dissolve the
ice. Strain into Martini glass and garnish with a sprig of fresh dill.
Luxury Experience - Hello Aloe
lets the bright mélange of juniper and botanicals to shine and are deftly
balanced with Noilly Prat Extra Dry Vermouth and Goya Aloe Vera Drink Original.
Shake hard with ice and garnish with a generous lemon peel for a refreshing Gin
Martini.
Luxury Experience - Hello Aloe
Yield: 1 Cocktail
Glass Used: Martini Glass
Cocktail Ingredients:
1.75
|
Ounces
|
|
0.25
|
Ounce
|
Noilly
Prat Extra Dry Vermouth
|
1.5
|
Ounces
|
Goya
Aloe Vera Drink Original
|
3
|
|
Ice
Cubes
|
|
|
Lemon
Peel, garnish
|
Method for the Cocktail: Chill
a Martini glass and set aside. In a large shaker, add all ingredients along
with three ice cubes. Shake hard until metal shaker is frosty to dissolve the
ice. Strain into Martini glass and garnish with a lemon peel.
The Culinary Recipes
Luxury Experience - Roasted
Carrot Soup with Carrot Goat Cheese Crostini
Servings: 4
Roasted Carrot Ingredients:
2
|
Pounds
|
Carrots,
peeled, chopped
|
1
|
Head
|
Garlic,
peeled, separated into cloves
|
1
|
Teaspoon
|
Fresh
Rosemary, chopped
|
0.5
|
Teaspoon
|
Sea Salt
|
0.25
|
Teaspoon
|
Black Pepper
|
3
|
Tablespoons
|
Extra Virgin
Olive Oil (EVOO)
|
Method for the Roasted Carrots:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Toss carrots and
garlic, with salt, pepper, and EVOO. Place vegetables in a roasting pan, cover
with foil, and bake for 1-hour or until carrots are tender. Remove foil and
roast for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set side. Remove
one-half cup of carrot mixture for the carrot goat cheese crostini.
Roasted Carrot Goat Cheese
Crostini Ingredients:
0.5
|
Cup
|
Roasted
Carrot Mixture
|
4
|
Ounces
|
Goat Cheese
|
1
|
Tablespoon
|
|
Method for the Crostini: In
a food processor, puree carrot mixture, goat cheese, and Westford Gin until
smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, toast or grill baguette
slices.
Roasted Carrot Soup Ingredients:
|
|
Roasted
Carrot Mixture
|
3
|
Cups
|
Chicken
Bouillon or Chicken Stock
|
3
|
Ounces
|
|
Method for the Soup: Add
the remaining carrot mixture to a blender, then add chicken bouillon and
Westford Gin. Puree until smooth.
Presentation: Serve soup
hot or chilled, garnished with fresh rosemary. Grill or toast the sliced
baguette and spread with the Carrot Goat Cheese.
If you can visit Westford Hill
Distillers, do visit, as the location is postcard-perfect New England. Located on 200-acres that have been in Louis'
family for over 100 years, Westford Hill Distillers is stunningly charming with
its rock wall that leads up to the bright red distillery barn, an inviting
front porch to sit and enjoy a cocktail or a bite to eat or sit at a table out
back overlooking the rolling hills and pond. Margaret and Louis Chatey are
gracious and knowledgeable hosts, and their gift shop is a shopper's dream.
Cheers, its cocktail time!
Westford Hill Distillers
Exceptional Product Line: Pear
William, Poire Prisonniere (Pear William with a whole pear presented in
the bottle), New World Aged Apple Brandy, Kirsch (Cherry), Fraise
(Strawberries), Framboise (Raspberry), Gin, and Rime Vodka.

Westford Hill Distillery antique bottles
For additional information
as well as purchasing and touring information please visit their website: www.WestfordHill.com. Westford Hill Distillers spirits are sold onsite as well
domestically and internationally.
Location and Tour Hours: Westford
Hill Distillers is located 30 miles east of Hartford, Connecticut and 82 miles
southwest of Boston. They are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through
Christmas from 12:00 am until 4:00 pm.
The tours last approximately 45 minutes and are limited to 4 persons per
tour, so be sure to call ahead and reserve your tour. The cost of tour and
tasting is $12 per person.
Read more about Westford Hill
Distillery's exceptional spirits and get more recipes in the Liquor Cabinet
section: Westford Hill
Distillers Pear William and Westford
Hill Distillers New World Aged Apple Brandy
Westford Hill Distillers
196 Chatey Road
Ashford, Connecticut 06378
United States
Telephone: +1-860-429-0464
Email:
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Website: www.WestfordHill.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/westordhilldistillers
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