Madison’s distillery’s Feb. 1 release bridges whiskey complexity with botanical versatility
MADISON, WI, Jan. 23, 2026 — Smoked gin is emerging as a significant subcategory within craft spirits, and State Line Distillery positions itself at the forefront of the trend with the Feb. 1 release of its Lapsang Smoked Gin. The expression represents a growing movement among craft distillers to challenge traditional botanical profiles by introducing savory, smoky notes typically associated with aged spirits.
The release reflects broader shifts in American spirits preferences, where consumers increasingly seek complexity and cross-category flavor experiences. State Line’s Lapsang Smoked Gin incorporates Lapsang Souchong tea, a Chinese black tea traditionally smoked over pinewood fires, creating a botanical spirit with depth that appeals to both gin enthusiasts and whiskey drinkers. The expression predates the distillery’s single malt whiskey in development, establishing smoked botanicals as a core competency in State Line’s production philosophy.
“We’re seeing consumers who appreciate the depth of whiskey but want the versatility of gin,” said a State Line Distillery representative. “Smoked gin bridges that gap by offering familiar smoky complexity through a completely different spirit category. The Lapsang tea creates a foundation that works in everything from martinis to Old Fashioned-style preparations.”
The distillery developed the expression to serve dual audiences: gin drinkers seeking more robust flavor profiles and whiskey enthusiasts exploring botanical spirits. The smoked character provides familiarity for customers who enjoy State Line’s single malt whiskey program while maintaining gin’s botanical versatility in cocktail applications. Bartenders can use the expression in classic gin cocktails for added depth or in whiskey-style preparations for a lighter, more aromatic alternative.
Smoked gin represents part of a larger trend in craft spirits toward flavor innovation that challenges category boundaries. Where American gin historically emphasized citrus and juniper brightness, contemporary craft distillers are exploring savory, earthy and umami-forward profiles that reflect broader changes in American palates.
The Lapsang Smoked Gin release follows State Line’s January educational campaign, Give Gin a Chance, which introduced weekly specialty cocktails designed to reshape customer perceptions of gin’s versatility. The smoked expression provides a natural continuation of that educational mission, demonstrating how far contemporary gin has evolved from traditional profiles.
For more information about State Line Distillery and the Lapsang Smoked Gin, visit statelinedistillery.com.
About State Line Distillery
State Line Distillery is a Madison-based craft distillery dedicated to producing premium spirits and creating educational experiences for customers. The distillery operates a cocktail lounge where innovation and tradition intersect, offering both classic preparations and experimental creations through programs like its Rare Riffs series.
For more information about State Line Distillery, visit statelinedistillery.com.
