In the Summer of 2005 fate, not too mention, a small tiki party held in West Seattle, created connections and pathways, that in less than a years time, would evolve into one of the most unique and dynamic stories in modern spirit history. It was here that future Aviation Gin Co-Founder Ryan Magarian of Liquid Relations, first experienced the magic of craft distilling in the form of a complex summer botanical infusion shared with him by a friend from his hometown of Portland, OR. Finding it unlike anything he had ever tasted, both conceptually and palatially, he quickly sought out its makers Lee Medoff and Christian Krogstad of Portland’s House Spirits Distilling. From there, it wasn’t long before the fellas were having their first cocktail together and discussing an uncertain, but very bright future together.
It was the perfect late summer afternoon, the kind of day where dreams become reality, and the trio hit it off instantly, recognizing a mutual passion for not only their individual methods of liquid flavor delivery, but a common interest in spirit, cocktail, and food interactions, along with the development of regionally inspired spirits and cocktails. From there, Lee and Christian shared with Ryan a very raw idea they had for developing a renegade regional gin style, at which point, the three put their heads and palates together in the hopes of bringing this bad boy to life. In June of 2006, after nearly 30 rounds of trials and adjustments, their vision became reality when the trio felt they had finally captured the essence of their obsession, and Aviation Gin was unleashed upon discriminating imbibers worldwide, resulting in what many believe to be the first brand partnership between distiller and bartender in American History.