Liquor & SpiritsNuetral Spirits
The name "gin" comes from genievre, French for juniper, and
the one characteristic all gins share is the presence of the juniper berry
as a major flavoring ingredient.
Modern gin was introduced in the latter half of the 19th century when several
London distillers began to make a refined, non-sweet gin quite unlike the
heavy-bodied Dutch genevers or the English "Gin Lane" types which
were heavily flavored and sweetened to mask their obvious flaws The new
style became known as "London Dry", the prototype of gins now
produced in the U K and the U.S. Gin's popularity was enhanced by its mixable
quality: it quickly became an ingredient in many of the new cocktails that
came into fashion at the turn of the century, and reached new heights during
prohibition.
Gin begins with high proof spirits usually distilled from grain. They are
then re-distilled with or over various botanicals that include juniper bernes,
citrus peels, cassia bark, angelica root, anise, corriander seeds, and others.
Like vodka, gin needs no aging, nor does it usually receive any. Once the
gin has been reduced to bottle proof with distilled water, it is ready to
be sold.
Gordon. - The number-one-selling gin in the world. It has a pronounced juniper flavor and is a good mixing gin. 80 proo£
Beefeater - one of several high quality London dry gins. The soft water of London lends itself to the making of fine gin and Beefeater is clean, balanced and has a pleasing, subtle citrus juniper flavor. 94 proof.
Tanqueray - similar in character to Beefeater but less subtle, with more pronounced junipers and a silky body. 94.4 proof.
Boodles - a little more esoteric than the rest, Boodles is citrusy, silky and very smooth. An excellent martini gin. 90.4 proof
Bombay - more distinct botanical notes than the other London gins. Very dry. 86 proof
Bombay saphire - "high-test " Bombay in an attractive package. Intense juniper flavor with the addition of "Grains of Paradise" from West Africa and berries of the cubeb bush from Java 94 proof.