Gin Giminey Gin!

What is Gin?

“Gin” is a product obtained by original distillation from mash, or by re-distillation of distilled spirits, or by mixing neutral spirits, with or over juniper berries and other aromatics, or with or over extracts derived from infusions, percolations, or maceration of such materials, and includes mixtures of gin and neutral spirits. It shall derive its main characteristic flavor from juniper berries and be bottled at not less than 80° proof. Gin produced exclusively by original distillation or by re-distillation may be further designated as “distilled”.

                                                                   -by  Code of Federal Regulations 

                                                                   the United States

Genever a.k.a “ The Dutch Courage”

A word derived from French word “genie’vre” meaning juniper. A 17th century Dutch Physician, Dr. Franciscus De Le Boe’ Sylvius is credited to be the inventor of Gin when he added the oil of juniper to a base of neutral distilled spirits in order to find a cure for a stomach and kidney ailments , gout. He dubbed his tonic as a genever. The demand rose so high that Bols firm in Amsterdam started to market commercially.

What is Old tom gin?

Old Tom refers to a wide range of pre-London dry gins. In the early days. The gins used to be sweet and flavoursome botanicals to mask poor distillation technique.

What is Dry/London Dry?

In 1830, the invention of Aeneas Coffey / continuous Still by Aeneas Coffey and Robert Stein led to significant change in the production of much drier and purer gin.

London Dry Gin is the dominant English style of Gin in the United Kingdom, former British colonies, the United States, and Spain .It is a style of gin , has nothing to do with the geographical location, which derives its name from the pioneering work of London Distillers who produced a new style of gin ( back at that time) with a distinctive dry flavor than high in abundance old tom. Thus, it’s a FLAVOUR PROFILE THAN THE PRODUCTION LOCATION .It will tend to be juniper heavy on the flavour.

What is Bathtub Gin?

Referring to the prohibiton era (1920-1930’s) in U.S., bootleggers made a form of raw gin in a bathtub by “ Cold Compounding Process” of infusing the neutral cheap, vicious, vile spirits with juniper.

Navy Strength gin

The gin especially created for great Britain’s Royal Navy, high proof. The traditional navy strength gin had 57% abv.

New western style gin/” Botanicals Democracy”

It won’t have Juniper dominant profile, like newly launched brand ,grapefruit and coconut flavoured Hoxton gin , rose petal and cucumber forward Hendricks and Aviation gin for lavender, cardamom, which started the new classification( New western style gin) on the types of gin. But it MUST contain Juniper to be called gin.

What is Sloe gin?

Blackthorn berries macerated in gin and sugar is all that’s needed to make sloe gin. It’s not really a gin in the classical sense, but more of a liqueur with a gin base.

For more on Gin Bourbon & Chimes