The Juniper berry. The most distinguishable ingredient in gin. In fact, it’s a requirement. Gin without juniper isn’t gin. So why isn’t there more gin made in Arizona? After all, the native juniper tree is a common site for many outdoors folks across our beautiful state. This includes Ryan Lawrence and Thomas Giddings, two-thirds of Suncliffe Gin, an up-and-coming local spirits brand out of Sedona. On a hike, they spotted the familiar tree and thought about the missed opportunity. This experience combined with their joy for gin martinis and the addition of their friend/business partner Clare Byrne, Suncliffe quickly snowballed into an instinct classic.
The additions of ponderosa pine bark, manzanita, and western elderflower create a gin that is unlike any we’ve tried. Truly Arizona Gin. With a vibe and flavor that seems like it’s been around forever, this local brand is set to add to the growing list of top-tier spirit makers in Arizona.
Join in as we still down with Thomas and Ryan to explore the journey of Suncliffe Gin!