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

The History of Alchemy

Alchemy refers to an ancient practice that that seeks to prepare the elixir of longevity and ultimate wisdom. Alcohol has played important role in religion and worship. It has been widely used for medicinal, antiseptic, analgesic properties, enhancing enjoyment and quality of life,social lubricant.

Alcohol – the generic term,originated from the Arabic word "Al-Kuhl" refers to the Arabic practice of producing a black powder by condensing vapour of the metal antimony. The powder was used as eye make-up which was eye-liner still occasionally known as Kohl. It wasn't until 16th century that alcohol was used specially referring to distilled spirits.

The discovery of the late stone age beer jugs has established the purposely fermented beverages existed at least as early as 10000 BC.

Egypt - the brewing dates from the beginning of the civilization in ancient Egypt. Osiris, the Egyptian god of afterlife, the underworld and the dead, depicted as green skin man with pharaoh's beard, partially mummy-wrapped was worshiped and often depicted along with alcoholic beverage.

Greece - the first alcoholic beverage to obtain widespread popularity in Greece was mead,i.e.-a fermented beverage from honey and water. Used in religious rituals,hospitality,medicinal purpose and integral part of daily meals. The Symposium, gathering of men for an evening of conversation, entertainment and drinking typically ended in intoxication. Xenophon(431-351BC) and Plato(429-347 BC) both praised the moderate use of wine as beneficial health and happiness. Hippocrates(cir.460-370 BC) identified numerous medicinal properties of wine, which has long been used for its therapeutic value.

Rome - Bacchus,the god of wine, for the Greeks - Dionysus. He is patron deity of agriculture and theater also known as the liberator (Eleutherios),freeing one from ones normal-self, by madness,ecstasy wine.

Babylon- As early as 2700 BC the beer was the major beverage among the Babylonians. They worshiped wine goddess and other wine deities. Babylonians regular used both beer and wine as offerings to their gods. In 1750BC, the famous Code of Hammurabi devoted attention to alcohol.

China - the earliest evidence of alcohol in china are wine jars from Jiahu which date to about 7000BC,making China the first in the world to develop alcoholic beverage early drink was fermenting rice, honey,fruit. A variety of alcoholic beverage was used in china since Paleolithic time. Alcohol known in Chinese as "Jiu" was considered a spiritual food for religious life. Alcoholic beverage were widely used in Chinese Society,were used as a source of inspiration,were important for hospitality,an antidote for fatigue.

India-Alcoholic beverages in the Indus Valley Civilization appeared in the Chalcolithic Era. The beverage were in use between 3000BC-2000 BC,a beverage distilled from rice mead wheat sugarcane grapes and was popular among the Kshatriya Warriors and peasant population. Hindu Ayurveda texts describes the benefits from alcoholic beverages.

Pre-Columbia America-Several native American civilization developed alcoholic beverages. Pulque or Octli, Balche,Tepache, Tejuino, Chicha.In 1000AD in Aztec Empire,the spirit called Pulque was so highly valued that human sacrifices were made to guarantee the steady supply of the drink

Sub-Saharan Africa-Thin gruel like alcoholic beverages have existed in the traditional societies all across the African Continent, which was created through fermentation of Sorghum, Millet or in modern time, Maize or Cassava.