In a place synonymous with bourbon, Phillip Scott Ginkins chose to become a master distiller of gin. Winning multiple awards in the four years since its launch, Ginkins Gin recently expanded distribution of its flagship Louisville Dry Gin to several local spirits shops and is working with a dis tributor to expand its availability statewide in the coming months. With SevenFiftyDaily flagging that Gen Z gravitating to gin is a top trend to watch in 2026, this unexpected spirits brand may play an increasingly important role in the local spirits scene. Louisville Manufacturer Turned Distiller Saw Potential in Gin A Louisville-area native, Ginkins spent years working in manufacturing, where he focused on process improvements and efficiency. Always fascinated by how products are made, Ginkins gravitated to bourbon distillery tours. This sparked his passion for precision and entrepreneurial spirit. Never one to follow the crowd, Ginkins saw an opportunity beyond bourbon for Kentucky distilling in the bright, botanical world of gin. Despite being a staple in classic cocktails, gin has long been dismissed by the American drinking public as the spirits’ equivalent of Pine-Sol thanks to the ubiquity of bad gin. But where others were deterred, Ginkins knew a good gin had untapped potential. “It’s versatile, you can have really sweet drinks, you can have bitter drinks,” he said. “There’s so many different cocktails they make with gin.” But his fascination with gin wasn’t just driven by its multifaceted nature; it also appealed to his interest in experimentation and continual improvement. The botanical distillation process offered Ginkins the ability to explore various flavor profiles. While studying gin distilling in Edinburgh, he learned the science behind the art of distilling. He discovered how the chemical makeup of botanicals and how to adjust variables to find a bold, perfectly balanced gin with a clean taste. Nevertheless, getting to the ideal formulation was a long, iterative process. Before anyone even tried a sample, Ginkins had identified the nine core botanicals for his gin and how much of each he wanted to use. He experimented multiple times on each step of the distilling process until he identified the steps that gave him the right profile for the gin. Then the taste testing began. Ginkins had multiple groups of five to six people at a time trying different prototypes, and would get their feedback on what they liked and why. Once he’d identified the strongest formula of the prototypes, “Then we started doing blind tastings of Ginkins versus other gins…and I never lost a taste test.” Louisville’s Infrastructure, Community, and Culture Support Distillers While formulating, Ginkins saw the benefit of Louisville’s supportive distilling community and beverage scene firsthand. Whether conducting taste tests at Darling’s or sampling at local events and stores, “Everybody in the alcohol industry has been very helpful and very nice. I find it a very welcoming community, even though we’re not bourbon.” The region also offers distinctive advantages for entrepreneurial distillers. The limestone-filtered, low-iron water famous for making great bourbon is just as important to crafting a quality gin, or any other spirit. Furthermore, the Commonwealth’s many bourbon distilleries have resulted in an outgrowth of supportive manufacturing infrastructure, such as bottling plants and warehouses. With gas prices rising and tariffs impacting international trade, close proximity to these facilities is a valuable asset for both new and established distillers. Screenshot Booming bourbon tourism and an inquisitive spirits community are perhaps Kentucky’s greatest assets for entrepreneurs who want to get into the spirits world. Those who travel to Louisville for the Bourbon Trail are already interested in how bourbon is made. They also are primed to learn about other types of distilling, with major producers like Buffalo Trace and Castle and Key featuring their vodka and gin offerings alongside their well-known bourbons. With so many visitors and locals seeking spirits-focused experiences, there’s low resistance to trying an $8 to $12 a pour while out on the town, especially if it comes with an interesting story. All of this makes Louisville an ideal place to grow the distilling industry outside of bourbon.  Gin that Celebrates Local Pride and Hospitality At the beginning of his journey, even Ginkins assumed Kentuckians might not gravitate toward gin. He thought he’d find a more enthusiastic market for his product on the coasts. After launch, he’s been pleasantly surprised by how eager locals are to support quality, homegrown gin. His experience sampling his product has convinced Ginkins that Louisville has a larger market for gin than expected. He believes bourbon’s dominance overshadows the market for gin, saying, “People here will buy gin if we give them something worth buying.”  While curiosity about distilling is what drew him into the spirits world, community is what keeps Ginkins there. The people he has met on his evolution from manufacturer to master distiller have reinforced that his journey could only happen in Louisville. The city’s hospitality inspires his vision for Ginkins gin, which he sees as playing a vital role in encouraging and fostering connection. Ginkins Gin Shines in a Gin and Tonic During our interview, Ginkins made me a gin and tonic (1 part Ginkins, 2 parts Q Tonic, and a lime peel twist). In my opinion, gin and tonic is a make-or-break drink. It leaves nowhere for bad gin to hide, so this cocktail is my go-to for determining whether I truly like a brand. I’ve tried everything from Hendricks to Niemand, a small-batch German brand, and Ginkins gin didn’t disappoint.  It was bright, refreshing, and the smoothest gin and tonic I’ve had in ages. I’m eager to try Ginkins in my Aviation next! Find, Sip, and Connect With Ginkins Gin Where To Find Ginkins GinCocktail RecipesGinkins InstagramGinkins Facebook Latest Stories Homegrown Distiller Produces World-Class Gin in the Heart of Bourbon Country How AI Drug Discovery Software Brings Safer Medicines Faster The World of HYROX Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day Wyld Ryde Is Ready To Give You One Wyld Nyght. The post Homegrown Distiller Produces World-Class Gin in the Heart of Bourbon Country appeared first on LEO Weekly | Louisville Eccentric Observer. ...read more read less