Spirit of the Dao: Exploring MoonBird Gin and GOATz Rum

The Spirit of the Dao: A New Era of Craft Spirits

The craft spirits world is constantly evolving, and a brand making a splash with its innovative approach and exceptional liquids is Spirit of the Dao. Embracing both the ancient philosophy of harmony and the modern Web3 concept of decentralized communities, they are the sole distillers of two distinct, cocktail-first offerings: MoonBird Gin and GOATz Rum.

With eye-catching packaging and augmented reality features on the bottle, these spirits are designed to be conversation starters before you even pour a drink. Let's explore what makes them stand out on the back bar.

MoonBird Gin: A Traditional London Dry

MoonBird Gin is built for connoisseurs and cocktail fans who appreciate a spirit with history and structure.

Heritage and Distillation

This gin is based on the oldest known recipe for recreational gin, dating all the way back to 1495. It is distilled in Holland by a seventh-generation family of fine spirit crafters with roots tracing back to 1777.

MoonBird utilizes ten individually distilled botanicals, anchored by a strong backbone of European juniper in a base of pure wheat neutral spirit.

Tasting Notes

Bottled at a sturdy 42% ABV (84 Proof), MoonBird holds its own beautifully in mixed drinks.

• Nose: Bright citrus zest and a citrus-forward nose, backed by classic juniper aromas.
• Palate (Front): Crisp and layered, featuring angelica and orris root accented by fresh orange, lime, and coriander.
• Palate (Mid): A warming, spiced mid-palate showcasing clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
• Finish: Exceptionally smooth, impeccably clean, and dry, with delicate floral notes emerging.

How to Enjoy: The makers recommend it in an ice-cold Martini, a refreshing Gin & Tonic, or a bittersweet Negroni.

GOATz Spiced Rum: Bold, Assertive, and Complex

While MoonBird leans into European tradition, GOATz Spiced Rum looks to the Caribbean for a complex, blended expression.

The Blend

GOATz is an intricate blend of exceptional rums from three iconic producing nations:

• Barbados: Pot and column-stilled rum aged 3-5 years.
• Dominican Republic: Column-stilled rum aged 3 years.
• Jamaica: A mix of unaged and 3-year-aged pot still rum to bring a touch of that famous Jamaican "funk".

All aging takes place in used Bourbon barrels, and they purposefully use a minimal amount of sugar to allow the quality of the rum to shine through.

Tasting Notes

Also bottled at 42% ABV (84 Proof), GOATz earned an impressive 95 points at the 2024 IWSC.

• Nose: Warm vanilla, rich cinnamon, and lush herbaceous aromas entwined with poached spice.
• Palate: A perfect balance of velvety vanilla and sweet cinnamon. Traditional spices like clove, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, star anise, and orange are prominent.
• Finish: Warm and lingering, with an unexpectedly bright, subtle citrus finish, a pinch of sweet cola spice, and a hint of dry sugar cane.

How to Enjoy: GOATz is strong enough to stand up to your favorite cola, elegant enough to sip over a large ice cube, and perfect for spicing up a traditional Daiquiri or Dark 'n' Stormy.