Uncle Val’s Zested Gin
Uncle Val's Zested Gin is a 90 proof (45% ABV), 750mL citrus-forward gin from 3 Badge Beverage Corp. of Sonoma, California — the floral-led Restorative's zest-obsessed sibling, debuted in September 2021 just before Negroni Week. Its official botanical bill is juniper, bergamot orange, coriander, and barley malt, built on a corn-based neutral spirit distilled five times and infused with botanicals post-distillation. Wine Enthusiast gave it 96 points, calling it out for star anise, cinnamon bark, and a citrusy lime-peel finish. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 45% (90 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Botanicals: juniper, bergamot orange, coriander, barley malt
- Producer: 3 Badge Beverage Corp., Sonoma, CA — released September 2021
- Base: corn-based neutral spirit, 5x distilled; botanicals infused post-distillation (compound gin)
- Recognition: 96 pts Wine Enthusiast (Sept 2022)
All Zest, in Tribute to Valerio
The Zested was created as a homage to Valerio Cecchetti's zest for life — and it plays the citrus card hard. Where the Restorative leans floral with rose and cucumber, the Zested goes all in on bergamot orange and coriander, with barley malt adding a rounding grain character. The 3 Badge press release describes crushed coriander and bergamot-tea notes with Crenshaw melon, kaffir lime, white pepper, and allspice on a long finish. It is the Uncle Val's for drinkers who found the Restorative too floral and want their gin with extra peel.
Tasting Notes
Wine Enthusiast reviewer Kara Newman (96 pts) found warm star anise, cinnamon bark, and a teasing whiff of cocoa nibs on the nose, opening on the palate with a sweet, tingly mintiness that winds into a citrusy finish laced with lime-peel astringency. The brand's own tasting notes go more tropical: fresh citrus and crushed coriander, ripe Crenshaw melon, crisp cucumber, tangy kaffir lime, and hints of white pepper and allspice on a lingering finish. Good Spirits News calls it "remarkably orange," with a pith-like bitterness that balances the candy-forwardness — a gin designed for fruity cocktails rather than a standard dry martini.
How to Enjoy
This is a Negroni-built gin — its debut was timed for Negroni Week for a reason, and the bergamot stands up to Campari beautifully. It also shines in citrus-forward gin serves: a French 75, a Bloodhound, or a simple G&T with a dehydrated orange wheel. Compare the citrus-botanical profile against the rest of the Uncle Val's lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Uncle Val's Zested Gin taste like? Citrus-forward — bergamot and orange zest, coriander spice, and a white-pepper warmth, with a lime-peel finish.
What's the difference between Uncle Val's Zested and Restorative Gin? The botanical bills: Zested is citrus-led (bergamot orange, coriander, barley malt); Restorative is floral (rose petals, cucumber). Same 90 proof, same producer.
Is Uncle Val's Zested Gin gluten-free? The producer lists it as gluten-free on Distiller.com — a five-times-distilled corn-based spirit.
Buy Uncle Val's Zested Gin online through Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — a 96-point citrus gin at a working-shelf price.