Not a Gin Drinker? Try Double Gold Port of Entry Gin

If we had a dollar for every time someone walked into our tasting room and said, “I’m not really a gin person,” we could probably fill another barrel room. And we get it. For a lot of people, their first taste of gin was a harsh, pine-heavy pour that tasted more like a Christmas tree than a cocktail.

Here’s the good news: that’s not what gin has to be. More often than not, the folks who tell us they don’t like gin leave with a bottle of Port of Entry Gin under their arm.

What Makes a Gin Approachable?

Every gin starts the same way: a neutral spirit infused with juniper and other botanicals. Juniper is what legally makes gin gin. But how much juniper you use, what you pair it with, and what spirit you build on makes all the difference.

When juniper is allowed to dominate, you get that sharp, piney bite. When it’s balanced with citrus, spice, and florals, you get something crisp and inviting, a gin you can sip, shake, or stir without bracing yourself first.

That balance is exactly what we set out to create.

Port of Entry Gin bottle on a bar table with warm string lights in the background

Meet Port of Entry Gin

Port of Entry is the line of spirits that launched End of Days, named for Wilmington, the port city where the Cape Fear River meets the coast and new journeys begin. Here’s what goes into every bottle:

A 100% corn base. Corn tends to create a softer, rounder spirit than many other grains, giving Port of Entry its super smooth foundation. It also means our gin is naturally gluten-free.
Seven distillations. Distilled seven times so what you taste is clean and bright.
Balanced botanicals. Juniper leads, supported by cardamom, lemongrass, and rose hips for a delicate blend of citrus and soft florals.
82 proof. Bold enough to stand up in a cocktail, gentle enough to enjoy over ice.

The result is a gin that’s balanced, light, and crisp. It’s approachable for gin skeptics and still interesting enough for the gin lovers in your life.

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It

Port of Entry Gin has earned international recognition over the years:

Double Gold, Best Gin – The Fifty Best, 2024
Double Gold, Best Gin – The Fifty Best, 2021
Double Gold – Bartender Spirits Awards, 2022
Silver – London Spirits Competition, 2024
Consumers’ Choice Award – SIP Awards, 2021

Two Double Golds for Best Gin, a Double Gold judged by bartenders, and a Consumers’ Choice Award voted on by everyday drinkers. We’re pretty proud of those awards.

How to Try It If You’re a Gin Skeptic

If you’re still on the fence, here’s the path we recommend, from easiest to boldest:

Start with a Gin & Tonic. 2oz Port of Entry Gin over ice, topped with about 4oz of good tonic and a squeeze of lime. Clean, bright, and the easiest introduction there is. Want to take it up a notch? Try our house-made Restoration Tonic Syrup instead. Bright citrus, lemongrass, and a gentle bitterness from cinchona bark were built to pair with Port of Entry. Our perfect serve: 1.5oz Port of Entry Gin, 1oz Restoration Tonic Syrup, and 3oz club soda over ice.
Move to a sour. Citrus and a little sweetness let the botanicals shine without any sharp edges. Tilley’s Club, below, is a great place to start.
Try a Martini. Once you’re comfortable, a classic Martini shows off just how smooth a 100% corn, seven-times-distilled base can be. Stir it over ice in a mixing glass with a bar spoon for about 30 seconds, then strain it into a chilled glass.
Go bittersweet with a Negroni. Ready for something bold? Our Negroni post walks you through the classic and a few of our favorite variations.

Port of Entry Gin bottle on a stack of books beside a classic gin martini with olives

However you pour it, we hope Port of Entry changes your mind about gin, or gives you one more reason to love it. Come see us in the lounge and let us make you a cocktail, or order a bottle online with flat-rate shipping, the same cost whether you order one bottle or a full case.

Build Your Home Bar

Great cocktails don’t require a professional bar, just a few good tools. Our Mixology Bartending Set includes a two-piece shaker, muddler, bar spoon, and jigger, everything you need to shake, stir, and muddle at home. Add a Hawthorne strainer and you’re ready for every recipe below.

Recipes

Tilley’s Club

Bright and floral with notes of raspberry and lemon.

Ingredients

2oz Port of Entry Gin
1oz Raspberry Thyme Syrup
.25oz Dry Vermouth
.25oz Lemon Juice
Egg White
Garnish: fresh raspberries and thyme

Directions

Measure all ingredients with a jigger and add them to a shaker without ice. Shake until the cocktail is frothy (dry shake).
Add ice and shake again (wet shake).
Double strain through a Hawthorne strainer into a chilled Nick and Nora glass.
Garnish with fresh raspberries and thyme. Enjoy!

The Hangar

Our take on the classic Aviation. Well balanced with notes of floral and citrus.