Gin with a Touch of Avalon
Carolyn and Don Avellino inside Brandywine Branch Distillers.
Two years ago, a man who looked oddly familiar walked into The Whitebrier and asked if I would like to taste-test some gins from his new craft distillery. Being the open-minded imbiber that I am, I hastily agreed, and ended up in the quirky predicament of sipping room-temperature gin in the middle of the day. Though it was warm and uninviting, the true flavors of a spirit come out when you drink it neat, and I found that Don Avellino was on to something new and exciting in the world of craft spirits.
Originally more of a craft-beer and bourbon guy, Avellino came up with the idea to open a distillery during a walk on the beach in Avalon with his wife, Carolyn, a lifelong summer resident. In the midst of selling his previous company, Avellino wanted to get into a business where people were excited to buy the product. He had toyed with the idea of opening a craft brewery, but already the market had appeared saturated and the opportunity past. That’s when he saw an article in the paper about craft distilling, and how the industry was poised to prosper with the passing of legislation that would allow craft distilleries in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It took more than a year’s worth of investigation, research and education in the field to take the leap of faith into the virgin industry, but his decision to pursue his dream has worked out for the best.
After selling his company in 2012, Avellino purchased an historic 8-acre farm in the heart of Chester County, at 350 Warwick Road in Elverson, Pa. An 1880s building with thick stone walls and original exposed beams makes for a barnyard chic setting for the tasting room and bistro, open Thursday-Saturday. Brandywine Branch Distillers will be home to many events in the coming year, from concerts to charity events to cooking classes. For now, you can visit the tasting room and experience a top-notch list of craft cocktails paired with delicious food.
When Avellino started the distillery, he procured 125 charred seasoned white oak barrels from a cooperage and immediately hired a distiller to fill the barrels will whiskey spirits (100 bourbon and 25 rye). After four years in the barrel, the first batches of the bourbon and rye are finally ready to bottle, and the barrels will be refilled with new self-distilled whiskeys and new barrels filled with more bourbon. In the meantime, Brandywine Branch Distillers has become known for its eclectic line of gins branded as Revivalist. Named for the seasons, Equinox, Summertide, Harvest and Solstice reflect the spices and flavors of each season in their respective gin recipes. Clear spirits can be produced much more quickly than brown ones, and Brandywine used this strategy to make it through the first few years to great success. Revivalist gins are distributed in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York, with Florida coming soon and more states in the near future.
“Getting people to break their mold and give gin a shot has been the most challenging thing,” Avellino says, “but once they try it they always say the same thing: ‘This is gin?’ ”
Gin is a category of spirits that is wide-open to interpretation and expression. Essentially, it is vodka that has been seasoned with herbs, fruit and spices.
“One of my favorite things about this new venture is talking to people about the product. People are so passionate about bourbon and gin and conversations about them can go on for hours,” Avellino says with a smile. “I look forward to waking up and going to work every day.”
When not working at the distillery, Avellino, his wife and their three kids enjoy spending time at the Seven Mile Beach. The Avellinos served as commodores of the Avalon Yacht Club in 2008, and their children have been sailing instructors and served on the Avalon Beach Patrol over the years.
Revivalist gins can be purchased at both Fred’s Liquor Stores as well as several bars and restaurants around town. Look for the bourbon and rye to come out in the coming months, or if you are feeling fiery, pick up a bottle of Dragon Dance jalapeno-infused gin (Avellino’s favorite).
