Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery, which closed in Union after being wiped out by a fire last September, recently brought its acclaimed gin back to Maine shelves.

Sweetgrass’s 20-year-old production facility was destroyed in last fall’s fire. But Sweetgrass owner Keith Bodine has since partnered with Mossy Ledge Spirits of Etna to produce Sweetgrass’s Back River Gin, available in Maine grocery and liquor stores starting last week.

“This is more than the return of a product,” said Bodine in a press release. “It’s the continuation of a brand that has been embraced by Maine customers for years. We’re grateful to Mossy Ledge Spirits for helping make that possible.”

Back River Gin was named Best American Gin by “The Spirit Journal” in 2009, and in 2022, was named to Forbes magazine’s list of the 15 best gins in America.

“Sweetgrass Winery & Distillery is the creator of this uniquely American London Dry-style gin,” the Forbes writeup reads in part. “Their not-so-secret special ingredient? Locally sourced fresh blueberries. This isn’t a sweet gin, though. The blueberries give a wonderfully rounded-out finish to a fairly traditional mix of botanicals. I highly recommend seeking out this gin and trying it in an aviation cocktail.”