As you probably already know if you’ve visited the site before, I like to talk about adventurous and unusual wines, beers, and spirits. Today we’re going to be talking about a spirit that I think everyone probably knows, but may not appreciate for just how unique and different it actually is.
Gin is a distilled spirit of mixed origins that began hundreds of years ago as something of a cure all, used to treat everything from colds to the plague. More than any other spirit, gin is the product of the distiller’s influence. That’s because gin is essentially nothing more than vodka, a neutrally flavored grain spirit, with flavoring agents, called botanicals, that have either been added to it during distillation or just afterward. The standard botanicals that typically show up in most gins are juniper berries, which make up the dominant, pine-like flavor profile and a variety of citrus fruits. The blend may also include spices, herbs, roots, flowers, as well as other fruits.
Each gin is very different, as no producer’s recipe is quite like another’s. Today we will be talking about three different gins, some are well known, others are infamous, but all are fascinating. Each one could easily be enjoyed on their own, chilled or over ice, as well as in a number of crisp, refreshing cocktails.
Spirit #1: Tanqueray London Dry Gin
Our first gin, like most, keeps its recipe a very close secret. However, the few ingredients that they admit to using include the always expected juniper berry, coriander seeds for spice, and a plant called Angelica, the roots of which are used to impart fragrance to the gin. These ingredients are sourced from throughout the world, with the juniper coming from Italy, the Coriander coming from Russia, and the Angelica root coming from Germany.
The aroma shows distinctly crisp juniper and pine notes, with a heavy punch of dark green citrus tones. Pine needles and minerals combine to create an almost snowy, wintery feeling to the aroma of this gin.
Sweet and smooth on the palate, with a round mouth feel based on grapefruit pith, pine needles, and lemon zest. There is a hint of bergamot and a clean herbal tone that tastes fresh, green, and leafy that appears into the finish. This is a very fresh, lasting gin on the palate, with a good amount of density and complexity. Very nice.
Worth Trying. 92 points.
Spirit #2: Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin
Like our first gin, Bombay Sapphire gets its flavor profile from a complex combination of botanicals that also include juniper berries, Angelica, and coriander. However they are somewhat less secretive about their ingredients and also reveal that added to the blend are Spanish almonds for texture and nuttiness, African Grains of Paradise and Asian Cassia bark for spice and intensity, Spanish lemon peel for citrusy tones, Chinese licorice and Italian Orris root for aroma and earthiness, and Javanese Cubeb berries for aroma and peppery notes.
Sweet, delicate and floral on the nose, this gin is almost somewhat creamy, with faint hints that approach vanilla. Caraway seeds, star anise, and cardamom mingle in a curious spice box aroma that hangs on the edges of a piney, pumelo scented core.
Sweet and enticingly earthy, a round palate is accented by a lightly grassy component on the front that hints at basil and cilantro, with a bright herbal component mixing with vanilla around the edges. This is a fascinating combination of conflicting flavors, coming together beautifully, each expressing something new with each sip.
Worth Trying. 93 points.
Spirit #3: Hendrick’s Gin
Our final gin is a curiosity in a number of ways. Based in Scotland, Hendrick’s is proud to claim that they are “a gin made oddly” and one that is preferred by a select few. Although their recipe is a closely guarded secret, what makes Hendrick’s so unique is the use of rose petals and cucumbers in their blend of botanicals. Made in extremely small batches through a complex process using two types of distillation, Hendrick’s is an oddity to be explored by any gin lover.
The aroma shows an impressive layering of floral, citrus, and green, leafy tones at first. This develops more acutely into pine needles, lemon oil, citrus leaves, and rose bush tones. There is a faint tone of white pepper, a faintly bergamot aroma and an almost jasmine like tone, that blend clearly with cucumber when spun in the glass.
The palate is smooth and delicately sweet, with a fresh cut grass tone showing at first, moving immediately into distinct green tea tones, jasmine, and lemon pith. Rose petals and faintly herbal tones blend with lime leaves and just a hint of white pepper toward the finish. This is an impressively complex gin, with bright citrusy notes balanced by a pleasant floral quality. Enjoyable and very unique.
Worth Trying. 90 points.
Please Leave a Comment:
What’s your favorite gin?
