Your Gin?

Bryce_K · September 12, 2019, 12:56am

I just made a G&T with Eden Mill’s oak gin and Q tonic water. Really nice, even if missing some of the bolder botanical flavors.
My wife and I did a tonic taste off earlier this summer and found that we preferred Q to Fever Tree. Do not buy the Whole Foods brand tonic - it was over-sweet and unpleasant.

Scott_Butler · September 13, 2019, 5:25pm

Traditional favorites for me are Hendricks and Plymouth Navy Strength, but just bought my first bottle of Aviation and I like it. The price is quite nice as well.

Scott_Brunson · September 13, 2019, 10:09pm

Plymouth Navy Strength+Fever Tree+a properly ripened Key Lime=Perfection.

Chris_G_l_a_r_n_e_r · September 13, 2019, 11:00pm

My wife and I brought a few bottles of this back after visiting the distillery in 2015. We aren’t gin drinkers but we bought a print of the painting featured on the front of the bottle and thought it would be cool to have the bottle too. Turns out we really like this gin, even on the rocks. Really smooth and as you said, a unique flavor.

The original painting is hanging at the Dingle Whiskey Bar at Fraunces Tavern in NYC.

Andrew_Kotowski · September 13, 2019, 11:00pm

In a pint glass

Scott_Brunson · September 13, 2019, 11:07pm

^You gotta come visit

We won’t discuss college basketball.

Sarah_Kirschbaum · September 14, 2019, 12:39am

My husband’s G&T vessel is a pint mug decorated with Simpsons characters. It lives in the freezer so it’s always nice and frosty.

Mike_Rodgers · September 15, 2019, 6:28pm

Indeed

Russell_Faulkner · September 15, 2019, 6:37pm

Local G+T, call me a heathen but I think I prefer my normal Tanq and Schweppes at less than half the price.

Bryce_K · September 20, 2019, 2:35am

Because of this thread, I picked up some Monkey 47 and No. 209. Both are excellent and I have great enjoyed making G&Ts with them this week. 209 was more citrus and the monkey had some more herbal flavors. Also I really enjoyed the negroni with the Monkey 47. We are out of town this weekend, but I will be doing some martini testing with the new bottles and may need to buy a third one to complete the test.

ToddFrench · October 19, 2019, 4:42am

I definitely have to dig up a few more gins mentioned here, as I can’t imagine a better one than The Botanist, particularly for a dry martini

LMD_Ermitano · November 14, 2019, 11:51am

Botanist is one my go-to gins for G+Ts (with Fever Tree as much as possible). It makes for a fun all-day/night session fun drink. Monkey 47 for a more “serious” drink. I also like London No. 3. ¡Salud!

Tyler_F · November 16, 2019, 1:59am

The Bontanist is probably one of the most balanced gins I’ve had. It’s sufficiently complex and there’s not any single descriptor/element that dominates more than the next. I think that is the appeal for most people.

Kris_Patten · November 16, 2019, 11:58pm

If you haven’t tried it Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin is worth a shot.

Mike_Rodgers · November 24, 2019, 3:15pm

Monkey 47 is too good to mix with anything

K_John_Joseph · December 10, 2019, 10:19pm

Alkkemist Gin - Gin and tonic with a lemon wedge. Interesting gin. Fairly dominated by citrus fruits and fennel. Finishes long with a nice citrus and juniper finish with some floral notes. Fairly complex and very smooth. Would be good in a martini with a twist, and held its own very well in a G&T.

For those making their way to downtown Dallas, The Mitchell has the best gin selection I’ve ever seen at any bar anywhere, and crafty bartenders. A wonderful find for a cocktail with my wife before my firm Christmas party.

Milton_Hudson · December 18, 2019, 3:24am

Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin I don’t like this gin. I learned after the fact that this is a compound gin. London Dry gins are distilled with botanicals, and cannot have any flavoring or additional botanicals added after the distillation process. The result is an infusion of flavors, and typically a lighter less heavy handed flavor. Then you have distilled or concentrate gins that are distilled with botanicals to make a concentrate then cut back to reduce the labor intensity. Then you have compound gins, which basically just add natural and artificial flavors (plus juniper) to neutral spirits. It’s the cheapest way to mass produce gin. The thing is, it’s basically flavored vodka.

That’s what Val’s Botanical gin is according to this pretty big call out article by Gin Foundry:

Ginfoundry.com: Spirits Beacon Gin And Recipe

It’s corn liquor compounded with with some botanicals, then filtered and bottled. There appears to be some dispute about whether this is actually re-distilled after it is compounded with the botanicals.

I didn’t know any of that when I was drinking it and my takeaway was that it was brutally heavy handed on the citrus peel. Bitter and overbearing citrus peel with some sage and juniper. Too much of a bad thing. The “gin” lacked balance. I would avoid this.

Actually Uncle Val’s makes a really good bloody Mary. The heavy handed cucumber and vegetal characteristics really perk it up.

Milton_Hudson · December 18, 2019, 3:27am

I really like it. I have to ration it a bit as i have to drive to New Orleans to get more.

adam_landa · December 18, 2019, 4:45am

I was in charge of buying booze for firm holiday party and went with The Botanist for gin…well received. I typically go with Hendricks or Bombay Sapphire…your description as balanced is spot on.

K_John_Joseph · December 18, 2019, 3:41pm

Cotswold’s Gin - Really pretty aromatic with distinct lavendar florals and grapefruit peel. Fairly heavy citrus notes go well with the florals, with just a hint of spice. Nice and complex. Probably better in a gin and tonic or gin cocktail than a martini. Might go with a blood orange or grapefruit slice over a lime here.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin - I really want to like this, but am struggling. Gin and tonic, fever tree tonic, lime wedge. Lime is dominating the gin and I can’t help but think this would be much better with a small sprig of rosemary and a lemon twist. Will try that this weekend. The gin has bright citrus notes, some warm spice, maybe cardamom, and then an herbaceous note on the back end that is fairly distinct and overrides a firm juniper element. I’m assuming that’s the tea. It’s fairly distinct, I just don’t really love that flavor. I’ll try it with lemon and rosemary and see of that’s a better fit.