But genever’s also smokier and more luscious than London Dry, making this rough but charming spirit an excellent option for people who also enjoy scotch. Gin has been around for centuries, but it’s impossible to say with absolute certainty where and when gin began. This resulted in a prohibitive movement against the beverage. Gin’s a more complex beverage than vodka, both in terms of how it’s made, what it’s made with, and the diversity of flavors it offers. The most common type of gin, London Dry Gin derives its name, unsurprisingly, from its origins in old London. We suggest searching through Gin Observer’s interactive brand directory to find one that suits your tastes and expectations. You can also go for a fruity combination by mixing the peels of lemons, oranges, and grapefruits with star anise pods, caraway seeds, and juniper berries. Some contemporary gins may be more peppery or floral notes; others may rely on citrus or earthen herbs. While it does not command a sizable market share in its native market, its largest market is in the United States, where it is the highest-selling gin import, followed by southern Europe. Juniper is what gives gin its signature piney, herbaceous flavor, although there are different styles of gin. Gin is found all over the world, but many people, even those who love gin, don’t understand what makes gin such an exceptional, versatile, and internationally renowned spirit. Gin has been around for centuries, but it’s impossible to say with absolute certainty where and when gin began. While there can and often are other ingredients in gin, many of which we describe below, and while juniper’s sometimes barely detectable, the berry is the cornerstone of true gin. No two gins are completely alike and they’re made … The best way to find the “right” gin for you is to try a variety of brands and gin cocktails. This process provides barrel-aged gin with the profound smoky quality most often associated with scotches, but with a smoother finish than the genever option – and all with that juniper-rich flavor that’s a beacon for gin lovers. (For more on gin and music, please visit our Gin Observer playlist.). Lemon’s signature tartness may make it seem like a one-note ingredient, but lemon’s far more profound than many realize: It brightens the infusion, creating a more delicate and docile spirit by toning down the juniper that puts many people off gin. As we hinted above, there are different ways to expose the alcohol to the botanicals. The origins of Gin of the dry Gin that London distillers eventually developed is very different from the Holland or Geneva Gin still made by the Dutch, which is heavy-bodied and strongly flavored with a pronounced malty taste and aroma. Beefeater is a classic London dry gin, with a juniper- and citrus-forward recipe that dates … Furthermore, gin may feature other ingredients including cubeb berries, yarrow, caraway seeds, orris root, angelica root, citrus peel, and elderflower. It can be tricky to give a definitive answer to how gin is made, just because of the sheer diversity of the gin industry. Tanqueray is a brand of gin produced by Diageo plc and marketed worldwide. Whichever alcohol the distiller prefers, genever’s fermentation creates a heavier, more malty gin than London Dry. However, brands may have varying flavours by using different accompanying ingredients. According to regulations, its predominant flavour must be juniper. While there are only a few widely available aged gin brands – Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve and Bluecoat Barrel Finished Gins, for example – these are ideal for those who appreciate a vivid and kaleidoscopic beverage that makes an impression. Gin Observer Playlist: 26 Essential Tracks for Summer 2020, The Ginologist Cook Book – 150 Recipes With Gin, Getting To the Root Of Chicago’s KOVAL Gin, Gin Books: Our top-10 favorites books about gin, Gin Botanicals: The Spices That Create The Flavor Profile. But a method and usage similar to the Greek was found in the Netherlands circa the 16, “Genever” became increasingly popular in the United Kingdom in the years after that conflict, though by this point it was sometimes referred to as “Geneva,” and later, “gen” and, finally, “gin.” In fact, the first usage of “gin” dates to the 1714 book, The Fable of the Bees, or Private Vices, Publick Benefits. Today, Old Tom is often flavoured using honey or sugar with an increased use of sweeter herbs and spices. By clicking "OK", you agree to allow cookies to be placed. In fact, it was introduced by Plymouth distillery in 1993. We will therefore break down the two most popular processes to give you an idea of how gin is made.