Best new Minnesota-made booze - Far North's Solveig Gin - 2014 Best of MN

Minnesota-made whiskey is on the way, but in the meantime we're doing just fine with Far North's Solveig Gin. Actually, it's barely made in Minnesota, as the distillery's home, Skane Township, is in the state's far northwest corner. The husband-wife team of Michael Swanson and Cheri Reese uses winter rye grown on the family farm, and all the work from harvest to bottling is done by hand. The 87-proof beauty starts creamy and finishes crisp, with layers of herb, spice and grain flavors in between. 612-720-3738; farnorthspirits.com