Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin. 3 Badge Beverage Corporation, Sonoma, California a small-batch botanical gin inspired by the Tuscan kitchen garden philosophy of Zio Valerio, built on five distinctive botanicals juniper, cucumber, lemon, sage, and lavender that double as both cooking ingredients and gin botanicals.

Uncle Val’s takes its name and philosophy from Zio Valerio a fictional Italian uncle whose love of cooking with fresh-grown botanicals inspired the brand. The concept is simple and elegant: what if the botanicals in a gin were the same ones a devoted Italian gardener would grow for his kitchen? Juniper, cucumber, lemon, sage, and lavender are all common in Italian herb gardens, and each plays a specific role in the gin’s flavor architecture rather than simply being exotic additions to a long list.

The five botanicals are all-natural with no artificial flavors, colors, or additives. The gin is gluten-free and built on a clean neutral base. Juniper provides the essential gin character. Cucumber adds a cooling freshness that softens and lengthens the profile. Lemon delivers citrus zing and crispness. Sage the most unusual of the five contributes an herbal depth that is both savory and aromatic, historically prized for calming and restorative properties. Lavender provides a gentle floral finish that rounds everything together. The result is a gin that is exceptionally approachable complex enough for enthusiasts but accessible enough to convert gin skeptics.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Crisp aromas of sage and juniper lead immediately. Fresh, herbal, and inviting. Lemon zest and a subtle floral lift from lavender in the background.
• Palate: A bright lemon taste arrives first, then the piney juniper asserts itself continuously throughout. Sage provides an herbal, slightly savory warmth. Cucumber delivers a cooling effect and subtle freshness. Each sip bolsters the botanical flavors.
• Finish: Warm, spicy lavender finish, softened by the coolness of cucumber. Juniper lingers pleasantly into the close. Long and smooth for a gin at this proof.

Specs

• Producer: 3 Badge Beverage Corporation, Sonoma, California
• Style: Contemporary American Gin
• Botanicals: Juniper, cucumber, lemon, sage, lavender
• Certifications: Gluten-free; all-natural ingredients; no artificial flavors, colors, or additives
• ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin taste like? Crisp sage and juniper on the nose with lemon zest and lavender. The palate opens with bright lemon, then piney juniper, a savory sage warmth, and a cooling cucumber freshness. The finish is warm and lavender-spiced, softened by cucumber, with lingering juniper.
• What is unusual about sage as a gin botanical? Sage is rarely used in gin most botanical lists lean toward sweet, citrusy, or floral ingredients. In Uncle Val’s, sage adds a savory, herbal depth that gives the gin its distinctive character and separates it from cucumber-forward gins that tend toward sweetness.
• Is Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin good for non-gin drinkers? Yes the cucumber and lemon profile makes it exceptionally approachable, and the restrained juniper level means it reads more like a sophisticated flavored vodka to first-timers while still being recognizably gin to enthusiasts.
• What cocktails is Uncle Val’s Botanical best in? Outstanding in a Gin & Tonic with cucumber garnish and a squeeze of lemon. Also excellent in a Gimlet, Tom Collins, or any citrus-forward shaken cocktail where the cucumber and sage character can complement the sour elements.
• Is Uncle Val’s gluten-free? Yes Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin is certified gluten-free, made with all-natural ingredients, and contains no artificial flavors, colors, or additives.

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