GIN

Picture this: a mysterious alchemy of botanicals dancing in a crystal-clear spirit. Gin, my friend, is not just a beverage; it's an aromatic journey that tantalizes the senses. It's like the maestro of the orchestra, conducting a symphony of juniper berries, coriander, citrus peels, and a hint of magic. This spirited elixir has the power to transport you to a world where every sip unfolds a story of craftsmanship and flavor. So, if you're ready for a rendezvous with botanical bliss, let the gin adventures begin! Cheers!

A Quintessential Elixir of Botanical Sophistication

What Is Gin Made From?

Gin is produced in different ways from herbal cocktail ingredients, accounting for a wide range of distinct styles and brands. The one ingredient all gins have in common is juniper berries. Gin initially comes from a grain base, usually wheat or barley, before producers add botanicals and water. Spirits must have a predominant flavors of juniper berries to be categorized as a gin. In addition to the grain and juniper berries, producers add botanicals, herbs, and spices to give it a distinctive flavor. Citrus, rosemary, and seeds are common botanicals that make up the ingredients of Gin.

Types of Gin

There are three main types of gin: distilled gin, redistilled gin, and compound gin.

Distilled gin comes from a mash or fermented alcohol base. It's like the technique for whiskey production.

Redistilled gin comes from the second distillation of a neutral spirit. Distilled and redistilled gin both receive their Favours from an infusion of fresh or dried juniper berries and other botanical ingredients.

Compound gin is the third type of gin, which is less common and cheaper. This is a mixture of a neutral spirit with juniper berry extract or essences to achieve flavorings.

Styles of Gin

There are several styles of gin available to enjoy on their own or to mix with other ingredients. Several combine with other additives to produce some of the most popular cocktails, including a martini and gin and tonic. But what are the similarities and differences between each style of gin?

Read on to learn more about each one.

Genever Gin

Genever is the original style of gin that dates to the 16th century in the Netherlands. It's like whiskey in that the grains are malted. The grain starts to germinate, then the process is stopped to give it a robust flavor. Juniper and botanicals provide flavor for Genever gin, but less so than other types. Genever distillers create a malt wine spirit as the predominant flavor of the gin. They let the grains ferment for around five days before turning them into a mash. Next, the distillers add botanicals, including juniper, cloves, caraway, ginger, and nutmeg. The main difference between Genever gin and other types of gin is that the predominant flavor isn't juniper. It has a distinct taste with less citrus and more earthy qualities. Genever gin has a rich flavor and taste, meaning it goes well with similar-tasting cocktails like an Old Fashioned.

London Dry Gin

London Dry Gin originated in England, but worldwide distilleries produce it nowadays. This is commonly used for a Martini recipe or a Gin and Tonic recipe and the one most people associate with gin. Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire, and Tanqueray are London Dry and popular brands for call liquor. London Dry Gin has potent juniper flavors and fresh citrus notes. This is why a lemon twist brings out the citrus notes of a Martini. Some London Dry Gins include fresh or dried citrus peels before distillation that provide the citrus highlights. The term “dry” in London Dry Gin means there aren't any artificial flavors added, only the natural flavoring from the botanicals. Other types of gins with a sweet taste likely contain licorice.

Plymouth Gin

Unlike London Dry Gin, which distilleries produce worldwide, Plymouth Gin exclusively comes from the city where it received its name. Plymouth is a southern coastal city in England where it originates before becoming a prime example of how to ship alcohol to outlets worldwide. Plymouth Gin is like London Dry Gin in some ways but sweeter with more citrus elements. Typical ingredients include juniper, cardamom, dried orange peels, coriander seeds, orris root, and Angelica root. The latter two are the reason it recalls earthy elements.

Old Tom Gin

At the beginning of the 18th century, early versions of Old Tom Gin were known as bathtub gin because they came from residential homes. During those days, it had a reputation for having poor quality and taste. People often added sweetening ingredients like licorice to boost it's flavor. Old Tom arrived in the middle of the 18th century with a standardized sweet taste. The brand got its name from the street term for this style of Gin. Nowadays, distilleries manufacture it and present a higher quality and better taste. Producers use licorice when distilling it to boost its sweetness, but it doesn't taste like licorice. Old Tom Gin is sweeter than other gins and has a more robust flavor than London Dry Gin. This fact makes it ideal for use with bitter types of alcohol and older recipes from the 19th century and early 20th century.

Navy Strength Gin

Navy Strength Gin got its name from its popularity with the British Royal Navy and from its high alcohol content. Navy Strength Gin has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 57% compared to London Dry Gin’s average peak of 40-45% ABV. The British Royal Navy fleet preferred Plymouth Gin but wanted a more potent version. Manufacturers used an ABV calculator method to produce gin with a higher alcohol content for them. As they say, the rest is history.‍

New Western Dry Gin - A fusion of tradition & innovation

In the ever-evolving landscape of spirits, New Western Gin emerges as a captivating expression of contemporary craft distillation. Rooted in the venerable traditions of gin-making yet infused with a spirit of innovation, this category of gin pushes the boundaries of flavor and craftsmanship, captivating the palates of enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

At its core, New Western Gin honors the timeless art of gin production, utilizing juniper as its foundational botanical. However, what sets it apart is its departure from the juniper-forward profile of classic London Dry Gin. Instead, New Western Gin amplifies the role of other botanicals, allowing for a more diverse and nuanced flavor profile.