What is gin?
Gin is a spirit with juniper flavour with a long tradition. Although the existence of juniper spirit can be traced back to the 17th century, the spirit lived in the shadows for a long time in the modern age – until about ten years ago, which is when a new, modern gin boom began. The result: Every year many new gin distilleries open and stir up the world of spirits with their new, innovative creations. Gin is in! To understand the hype about the new cult favourite gins better, it’s worth learning about the history of gin.
The history of gin
When talking about the origins of gin, there is no getting around the term “genever”: This was (and still is) the Dutch term for juniper spirit. Although experiments with the distillation of juniper as early as 1000 AD are proven, François de la Boe is usually credited with inventing gin. The Hessian-Dutch physician lived in the 17th century and is regarded as the founder of scientifically oriented medicine as well as clinical chemistry. To help his patients grappling with stomach issues, he began distilling juniper, and genever was born.
Of course, it didn’t take long before word about the fine aromas and the inebriant effect of the spirit had gotten around. When Wilhelm Orange-Nassau ascended the throne of England in 1669, he brought the juniper distillate to England.
The popularity of gin started rising sharply when England increased taxes on foreign alcohol imports. Since gin could be produced cheaply from grain, it quickly became the most popular drink amongst the poor. Indeed, during this time in England more gin was consumed than beer.
Of course, the high alcohol consumption didn’t have a positive effect on society. In a famous painting by William Hogarth from 1751, which carries the name Gin Lane, the decay of society due to high alcohol consumption is shown in shockingly graphic detail.
After several tax increases, the raising of license fees and several bad harvests, gin prices became so high that the consumption decreased drastically. This also meant that most gin distilleries had to shut down. It took until the beginning of the 19th century for gin to experience its first revival – this time in the upper classes. Many of today’s popular brands were founded during this time.
Gin today
For about ten years gin has been going through another boom. While most traditional gins share a similar selection of botanicals and focus mostly on the classic juniper aroma, most new gins are betting on innovation. Botanicals like spruce needles, olives, basil, cacao beans, raspberries, rowan berries and dandelions are not unusual in modern gins. Additionally, there are many exciting international gins on the market that are often made with exotic, locally sourced ingredients.
What’s London Dry Gin?
London Dry Gin is a more strictly regulated variety of Dry Gin. Dry Gin stands out for its double distillation (once with and once without botanicals) and may not contain any added sugars.
London Dry Gin:
• must exclusively be created from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin.
• must acquire its aromas through a second distillation in which all botanicals are added.
• may not contain more than 0.1 g sugar per litre.
• may not contain any added colour agents.
How to drink London Dry Gin
London Dry Gin can be consumed pure as well as in long drinks or other mixed drinks. Combining with tonic water to create a gin and tonic is especially popular. Other well-known mixed drinks include the Martini, Gimlet, Aviation, Pink Lady, Negroni, Tom Collins and the Breakfast Martini.
What special brands are there?
Among the most popular traditional gin brands are Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray, Gordon’s, Beefeater, Hayman’s, Williams Chase, Cadenhead and Boodles. The most exciting new brands include Monkey 47, Bulldog, Elephant Gin, Koval, Gin Mare, Deux Frères, Berliner Brandstifter, Crafters and Silent Pool.
London Dry Gin at Gustero
At Gustero, you will find more than hundred different gins from all over the world. Besides traditional London Dry Gins from the 19th century, you will also find modern gins from Japan, Germany, Scotland, the US and Switzerland. Try the saffron-infused Duncan Taylor Indian Summer Gin or find out how a Black Forest gin with truffle tastes (Boar Gin). Additionally, we also offer gin tasting sets which will help you discover your new favourite gin.
