Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin – Rochester's Floral Spring Masterpiece

Updated → October 2025

This limited-edition 84-proof Rochester gin captures spring with hand-picked lilac petals, earning 95/100 from experts. Released annually during the Lilac Festival, this $32-36 craft spirit showcases ten botanicals in a unique floral profile no other commercial gin replicates.

The Craft Gin Renaissance and Floral Innovation

Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin arrives at the perfect moment in spirits history. The craft gin segment leads all craft spirit categories with a remarkable 12.25 percent compound annual growth rate through 2030. Within this boom, the super-premium segment where this gin sits at $32-36 per bottle expands at 10 percent annually, driven by millennials and Generation Z consumers seeking authentic craft stories and distinctive botanical experiences that reward exploration.

The botanical gin revolution has transformed how consumers approach this classic spirit. While traditional London Dry gins demand juniper dominance, contemporary American and New Western style gins allow other botanicals to take center stage. Floral botanicals particularly captivate modern palates—lavender, rose, elderflower, chamomile, and hibiscus lead innovation across premium brands. Yet lilac remains exceptionally rare as a commercial gin botanical, giving Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin nearly unique market positioning.

Ten Botanicals Creating Lilac Magic

At the heart of Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin sits fresh lilac petals, hand-picked during Rochester's brief late April through May bloom window when aromatic compounds reach peak concentration. These fleeting aromatic molecules—beta-ocimene and unique lilac aldehydes—require immediate processing to capture their essence before they dissipate. The complete botanical roster creates layered complexity: juniper provides traditional gin foundation, coriander adds spice structure, rosemary brings herbaceous depth, lavender and rose petals offer complementary floral notes, hibiscus contributes subtle tartness, lemon peel delivers brightness, angelica root grounds with earthy complexity, and a touch of peach rounds out the profile.

Each botanical undergoes individual steeping and distillation before recombination, preserving the most flavorful components while creating aromatics that professional reviewers describe as evolving like fine perfume—distinct top notes of lilac, a heart of lavender and bitter orange zest, and long green dry-out notes that linger pleasantly.

Tasting Notes: Spring in Every Sip

The sensory journey of Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin begins before the first sip. Sweet aromatic notes of lilac and lily blooms immediately transport you to Highland Park during peak flowering season. This initial floral burst gives way to rose, lavender, and touches of spice as the gin breathes in the glass. The aroma demonstrates remarkable evolution, with green notes and herbaceous elements developing after moments of air exposure.

On the palate, lilac dominates the front, followed by rich lavender and subtle rose petals. The floral notes never become cloying due to careful spice scaffolding—hints of ginger, grains of paradise, even touches of clove provide structure. A subtle herbaceous juniper note ties everything together, reminding you this remains fundamentally a gin despite its floral-forward profile. The texture impresses with good mouthfeel and pleasant weight at 42 percent alcohol by volume. The finish extends gently with mild floral characteristics and leafy green notes lasting long into the back of the palate.

Rochester's Flower City Legacy

The story behind Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin connects deeply to Rochester's identity as the Flower City. This nickname emerged in the late 19th century when seed companies flourished following the decline of flour milling. Highland Park, designed by legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, features nearly 500 different lilac species and varieties, making it one of North America's premier lilac collections. The Rochester Lilac Festival, celebrating this heritage since 1908, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to witness the spectacular botanical display.

Black Button Distilling founder Jason Barrett launched Rochester's first grain-to-glass craft distillery since Prohibition in 2012, seeing an opportunity to honor this heritage. The distillery name itself pays tribute to Barrett's family history—four generations of button manufacturers in Rochester. Unable to join the family business due to colorblindness that prevented him from sorting colored buttons, Barrett channeled his grandfather's entrepreneurial spirit into craft distilling after apprenticeships across multiple distilling schools prepared him to create products showcasing New York State agriculture and Rochester's unique cultural touchstones.

Grain-to-Glass Craft Production

Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin distinguishes itself through grain-to-glass production using a base spirit crafted from locally sourced New York State wheat. As a licensed New York State Farm Distillery, over 90 percent of ingredients come from within 50 miles of the distillery. The custom-designed column-to-pot-to-column distillation system preserves only the finest hearts of each distillation run, resulting in exceptional clarity and purity that allows the delicate lilac character to shine without harsh alcohol notes overwhelming the botanical expression.

This meticulous approach earned the gin a remarkable 95 out of 100 rating from The Gin Is In, with reviewers declaring that among floral gins, it has few equals. The quality reflects not just excellent botanicals but also masterful distillation technique that preserves and enhances each component's contribution to the final spirit.

Limited Release Creates Anticipation

The first Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin release in 2015 produced just 600 bottles, which sold out in ten days. Production has scaled significantly—by 2021, the distillery released 5,400 bottles, representing a 20 percent increase over the previous year—yet the gin remains genuinely limited. The constraint isn't artificial scarcity for marketing purposes but authentic seasonality: fresh lilac petals must be harvested at peak bloom, which lasts mere weeks each spring. This constraint creates anticipation and urgency while ensuring every bottle captures lilac at its most aromatic moment.

The annual release typically occurs in early May to coincide with Rochester's Lilac Festival, creating a cultural event around the product launch. Interested buyers monitor availability starting in April, contact retailers to request notification when new inventory arrives, or visit the Black Button Distilling tasting room in Rochester during release periods.

Premium Positioning in Growing Segment

Consumer preferences increasingly favor small-batch, locally sourced, uniquely flavored spirits from craft distilleries leveraging regional ingredients. The number of active craft distillers in the United States reached 3,069 by 2024, an 11.5 percent increase reflecting growing consumer appetite for artisanal spirits. Premium gin consumers specifically value authenticity, craftsmanship, transparent production methods, and compelling origin stories—all attributes that Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin delivers naturally through its Rochester heritage and seasonal production model.

New York State's craft distilling infrastructure supports this growth through recent direct-to-consumer shipping legislation allowing distilleries to ship spirits nationwide, matching privileges wine producers have enjoyed since 2005. The New York Distillery Trails App launched in 2025 promotes discovery and tourism across Brooklyn, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, and Catskills distilling regions.

How It Compares to Premium Botanicals

Within the premium botanical gin landscape, Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin occupies a distinctive niche. Hendrick's, the category leader in floral gins at $30-35, built its reputation on rose and cucumber botanicals with widespread year-round availability. Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin at $36-40 competes directly on price but emphasizes visual appeal through color-changing properties. The Botanist at $35-42 showcases 31 botanicals including 22 hand-foraged from Islay, positioning on Scottish provenance and herbal complexity. Monkey 47 at $70-80 occupies ultra-premium territory with 47 botanicals creating overwhelming complexity.

Black Button's competitive advantages stem from lilac's rarity as a gin botanical—no other commercially available gin features lilac as its primary character. The authentic Rochester cultural connection provides storytelling that large corporate brands can't manufacture. The rye-based spirit adds distinctive texture and subtle spice structure versus typical neutral grain spirit bases. Limited seasonal production creates genuine scarcity and collectibility rather than artificial restriction.

Cocktail Excellence Beyond G&T

Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin performs exceptionally well in cocktails highlighting floral characteristics. The Aviation cocktail becomes extraordinary, with reviewers recommending reducing crème de violette to let the lilac notes shine. Floral martinis bring out rose and hibiscus brightness when paired with quality dry vermouth. The Bee's Knees adaptation using lilac syrup alongside the gin's inherent lilac character creates remarkable depth.

Interestingly, classic gin and tonic isn't recommended, as tonic's quinine bitterness overwhelms delicate floral notes. Premium Mediterranean or elderflower tonics work better, especially with added lilac syrup for enhanced floral emphasis. The Lilac Gin Fizz combines four ounces gin with two ounces fresh lemon juice, one ounce lilac syrup, and six ounces soda water, garnished with fresh lilac flowers or lilac ice cubes.

Proper Serving Maximizes Experience

To fully appreciate Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin, proper serving techniques enhance the botanical experience. For neat appreciation, serve well-chilled in a coupe glass or small tulip-shaped glass that concentrates aromatics. The delicate floral notes become more pronounced when cold, and no mixer competes for attention. Over ice with a lemon peel twist provides refreshing simplicity while highlighting the gin's complexity as it gradually dilutes.

For gin and tonic service, use a one-to-one or one-to-two gin-to-tonic ratio rather than heavily diluted long pours. Premium tonics without corn syrup—particularly Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic with its oils from Mediterranean fruits and flowers—complement rather than overwhelm the lilac character. Use copa or balloon glasses that allow aromatics to develop fully. Garnishes significantly impact the drinking experience: fresh lilac flowers add crucial aroma dimension, citrus peels provide bright contrast, fresh herbs like rosemary complement herbaceous botanicals, and edible flowers reinforce floral themes.

Food Pairings Enhance Botanicals

Food pairings enhance appreciation of Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin. The floral, citrus-forward profile pairs exceptionally with seafood—smoked salmon on blinis, grilled prawns with ginger and lime, or fresh oysters. Aged cheeses like cheddar or blue cheese provide nutty richness that balances botanical notes. Soft cheeses such as brie or goat cheese mellow the gin's complexity. For desserts, lavender shortbread, lemon drizzle cake, or floral-infused pastries create harmonious flavor bridges that enhance both food and spirit.

The gin also works beautifully in culinary applications beyond drinking. Use it to macerate fresh berries for desserts, incorporate into glazes for grilled fish or poultry, or add to sorbets and granitas for sophisticated frozen desserts that capture the essence of spring.

Where to Purchase This Treasure

Seneca Wine and Liquor offers Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin both in-store and through their e-commerce platform at shopsenecawine.com. Located at 8630 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford, NY 13413, this premier destination has served Oneida County for approximately 40 years and earned recognition as the number one liquor store in Oneida County for seven consecutive years in the Observer-Dispatch Best of the Best poll.

The store maintains an impressive inventory of 100,000 bottles featuring renowned brand liquors and curated wines from global vineyards, with special emphasis on New York State selections. Call (315) 724-8672 to confirm current Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin availability, as the seasonal nature and limited production mean stock varies.

Seneca Wine and Liquor Details

Store hours run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Delivery hours operate Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 8:40 PM, Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:40 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 8:40 PM, and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 4:40 PM.

The store's location at the intersection of Paulevann Place and Routes 5 and 12B provides convenient access. Seneca Wine and Liquor offers multiple shopping options including in-store browsing, online ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery service through DoorDash. They provide free local delivery on qualifying orders meeting minimum requirements. The store stands behind pricing with a 40-mile price match guarantee, meeting or beating any advertised price within 40 miles while honoring all local coupons and discount club promotions. Additional savings include 15 percent off every case of wine and 10 percent off every case of liquor with mix-and-match flexibility.

Craft Spirit Industry Momentum

Beyond Seneca Wine and Liquor, Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin typically releases each May at the Black Button Distilling tasting room in Rochester at 1344 University Avenue, select New York State liquor stores, and through e-commerce platforms shipping to over 40 states. Due to limited annual production that increases modestly each year but still sells out, interested consumers should monitor availability closely during spring release periods or contact retailers directly to request notification when new inventory arrives.

The craft gin market's trajectory favors products exactly like this: small-batch production using locally sourced ingredients, distinctive botanical expressions, authentic regional stories, and seasonal scarcity creating collectibility. The 95 out of 100 expert rating confirms quality matches the compelling story. Whether enjoyed neat to appreciate its perfume-like evolution, in carefully crafted cocktails showcasing floral elegance, or paired with foods complementing botanical complexity, Black Button Distilling Lilac Gin offers a taste of Rochester spring that rewards discovery and invites return visits year after year.