3 Badge Beverage Corp. Debuts Uncle Val’s Zested Gin

3 Badge Beverage Corporation expanded its reach in the growing ultra-premium gin category with today’s debut of Uncle Val’s Zested Gin.

Handcrafted with a refreshing touch of natural citrus, Zested Gin (SRP $39/750ml; 45 percent ABV) is a smooth, sipping gin that is as perfect enjoyed on its own or in simple cocktails.

Arriving just in time for Negroni Week (September 13-19), Uncle Val’s Zested Gin is distilled five times and infused with Bergamot orange, coriander, barley malt and juniper, making it the ultimate gin to refresh the classic three-part Italian cocktail recipe.

“We are thrilled to welcome Zested to our flagship Uncle Val’s portfolio of handcrafted gin,” said August Sebastiani, president of 3 Badge Beverage Corporation. “As our newest entry into our portfolio, Zested is inspired by my Uncle Valerio’s undeniable zest for life. Together, the bottle, labels and, of course, the gin itself, all evoke a dedication to craftsmanship that is still very much alive in the old world of Uncle Val’s Italy.”

August Sebastiani developed the entire Uncle Val’s line as an homage to his late uncle, Valerio Cecchetti, a physician with an affinity for gardening in his quaint Italian town outside Lucca, Italy. The herbs Uncle Val grew were not only perfectly suited for the local cuisine, but also happen to make exceptionally unique and smoothly delicious gin.

Zested evokes the bounty of Uncle Val’s summer garden and is perfumed with fresh citrus and crushed coriander with underlying notes of Bergamot tea, mandarin peel and clove. Energizing flavors of ripe Crenshaw melon, crisp cucumber and tangy Kaffir lime are lifted with hints of white pepper and allspice on a long, lingering finish.

With its delicate juniper presence, Zested is the ideal base spirit to add a refreshing touch of natural orange citrus to classic cocktails such as a negroni, mimosa or breakfast martini, though its graceful nuances enable gin purists to enjoy it neat or with a splash of natural soda.

Gin has been one of the fastest growing categories in the global spirits industry over the last few years. Zested is the fourth expression to join the Uncle Val’s Gin portfolio, which also includes the Botanical, Restorative and Peppered labels. In 2020, Uncle Val’s outpaced category growth of 20% with an increase of 35% in dollar sales over the last year. The Botanical Gin ranked #14 in the ultra-premium gin category with an impressive 36% growth in sales last year alone.

Inspired by bitters bottles from the 18th and 19th century, Uncle Val’s bottles are made in Italy with strong, tapered shoulders and a dark green, antique hue. The design is reminiscent of old-world spirits labels, featuring an ornate cursive font, a tastefully understated color palette and a Roman coin styled illustration of Uncle Val. Made in small batches, each bottle is numbered and has one of three bottom labels featuring some of Uncle Val’s more notable sayings, like “A closed mouth catches no flies.”

Crafted by and for epicureans, Zested is meant to be enjoyed with fresh seasonal cuisine under the Tuscan sun surrounded by friends and family – just as dear Uncle Val would have preferred. For more information about Uncle Val’s Gin, please visit unclevalsgin.com