Complex, slightly bitter, and refreshing, Gin is made for Spring and Summer!
Refreshing drinks include; the Negroni, the Tom Collins, the Gimlet and of course, few cocktails are as easy and refreshing as the Gin and Tonic.... at home in any number of refreshing drinks, gin is perhaps The Perfect Spring and Summer Spirit.
London Dry
London Dry Gin is what most people think of as “gin.” London dry gin doesn’t have to be made in London and most aren’t. They are typically very dry, heavily juniper flavored, light in body, and aromatic. It’s what you typically get in a Gin and Tonic or Martini.
You’re definitely going to get juniper, because juniper is the most dominant flavor within the gin and hence the reason it’s called gin (juniper is genévrier in French). To get the flowery, botanical flavor, this style of gin is typically infused with various aromatic ingredients during the 2nd or 3rd distillation process, giving each brand its own unique taste. Some London Dry gins steep fresh citrus peels or dried peels before distillation and that gives them a bright, citrus flavor—and why a twist of lemon really does magic in a martini, bringing all of that out even more.
London dry gin doesn’t have to be made in London and most aren’t, common brands include Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, and Beefeater. This style is great for classic martinis, gin and tonics, and Aviation cocktails. Sipsmith London Dry, Haymans London Dry
Plymouth Gin
Plymouth Gin is a less dry cousin to London Dry Gin that must be made in Plymouth, England. Infused with more roots, this style of gin has an earthier flavor with softer juniper notes than other styles. Currently, there is only one brand of Plymouth gin produced in the world and, wouldn’t you know it, it’s called Plymouth. "Plymouth was very special because it named in the Savoy Cocktail Book, and it was in 23 gin recipes in the book. It was one of the most significant cocktail books in the world and still is to this day. So to have the actual name physically in it, is very very important. With that, it allowed Plymouth to become very popular in the first part of the 20th century when a lot of gins were coming onto the market." It can be used anywhere a London Dry Gin is used. Plymouth
Old Tom Gin
Old Tom Gin is a sweeter cousin to London Dry Gin and is appropriately named as it was the preferred gin in a Tom Collins. It’s often thought of as somewhere in between a London Dry Gin and Genever. "Old Tom is very good gin, the botanicals are usually distilled, the sweetness in it normally comes from a larger amount of licorice that’s in the distillation; they don’t add flavor after. It doesn’t taste like licorice, in case you’re wondering, but that different balance of ingredients affects the texture and "perception of taste”. It’s richer in flavor than London Dry, which is why Old Tom works better in mixed drinks and pre-Prohibition cocktails, anything that has bitter flavors.” Old Tom Gin is most famously used in the Tom Collins and Martinez cocktails but is also delicious in a Ramos Gin Fizz and in a Martinez (gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, bitters). -Luke O’Neil Hayman’s Old Tom, Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat
Navy Strength
Navy Strength gin is an overproof version of London Dry originally used by the British Royal Navy because it wouldn’t inhibit gunpowder from lighting when damp with gin. Navy Strength gin must be bottled at 114 proof or higher. Distillers must balance the usual flavors at the higher proof, but the taste is essentially the same. Hayman’s Royal Dock of Deptford, Joseph Magnus Vigilant, Edinburgh Navy Strength Cannonball Gin
Genever
Genever or Dutch Gin is the original style of gin, dating back to 16th-century Holland. The base grains are malted, similar to whiskey, giving it a more robust flavor. It’s also flavored with juniper and botanicals, but less so than the other gin types. Less botanical than the English styles, and more sippable, Genever has been revived by craft mixologists who are using it creatively in cocktails (John Collinses, Gin Fixes), but it is just as good for sipping straight or chilled
"Instead of using a neutral grain spirit, Genever distillers actually create a malt wine spirit, which is the predominant flavor of the gin. The grains are left to ferment for five days or so, and then turned into a mash, which is similar to how whiskey is made. Then theyll add different botanicals, including juniper, but the difference here between the dry gins and Genever is that juniper is not the predominant flavor. The actual gin is a lot more malty. Flavors added can be cloves, caraway, ginger, nutmeg. So youve got vaguely different style of taste, and you certainly have way more earth notes within it. If Old Tom is considered "rich" in flavor, Genever is even richer, meaning its best in rich cocktails, with something like sweet vermouth, or stirred with a tiny bit of bitters and a touch of sugar like a gin Old Fashioned. The idea is the malt wine has such a predominant flavor, if youre mixing it with something richer in flavor, its going to work really well," -Luke O’Neil Bols Genever
Sloe Gin
Sloe Gin is a gin-based liqueur flavored with sloe berries (relatives of plums) common in England. Sloe Gin is traditionally made by soaking sloes in gin and sugar (to help extract the flavor), sloe gin must be at least 25-percent ABV by EU regulations, making it an easy dessert sipper and useful cocktail ingredient in drinks like Sloe Gin Fizzes and Bees Knees.
Deep, jammy and tart fruit, like cherries combined with plums on overload. If it’s made with a London Dry base, sloe gin may also have flavors of juniper, citrus, etc. Hayman’s Sloe Gin, Plymouth Sloe Gin
New American or International Style
New American Gin or International Style Gin is an umbrella term used to refer to all of the new styles of gin that use the same base distilling process but are predominantly infused with flavors other than juniper berries. The most common one you might be familiar with is Hendrick’s, flavored with cucumber and rose. These gins tend to put less emphasis on juniper and more emphasis on other aromatics like floral botanicals, citrus, or, as is the case with Hendrick’s, cucumber.There are no legal classifications for the crop of modern craft gin distillers, but the stylistic similarities are enough to group them together. Roku Gin, Bluecoat, Hendrick’s Gin
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2020 Chateau Haut Brion - Pessac
I finished my trip through Bordeaux with the 2020 Château Haut-Brion, and it was certainly a fitting cap to the trip. Revealing a deep ruby/plum hue, the 2020 exhibits extraordinary aromatics of ripe black fruits, scorched earth, cold fireplace, and acaci...
2020 Chateau La Gaffeliere - St. Emilion
The 2020 La Gaffelière is superb. Rich, dense and explosive. Black cherry, gravel, licorice, grilled herbs and menthol race out of the glass. Deep, pliant and explosive, the 2020 is magnificent. At this stage, the 2020 is an infant, but that won't be a...
2020 Chateau La Lagune - Medoc
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2020 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion - Pessac
The 2020 La Mission Haut-Brion is a brilliant effort that exhibits a level of balance and integration that are impressive in such a powerful young Bordeaux. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with burning embers, pencil ...
2020 Chateau La Tour Figeac St. Emilion
The 2020 La Tour Figeac is a gorgeous wine. Aromatic, lifted and superexpressive, La Tour Figeac is all class. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, rose petal, spice and dried flowers are all nicely woven together in this silky, mid-weight Saint-Émilion. I wo...
2020 Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Pauillac
The 2020 Lafite-Rothschild is much more intense and complex compared to the Carruades this year. This First Growth bursts from the glass with beautifully defined blackberry and wild strawberry scents laced with sprigs of wild mint and juniper berries. The...
2020 Chateau Lagrange - St. Julien
The 2020 Lagrange is fabulous, just as it was from barrel. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, cedar and new leather are all amplified in this gorgeous, striking Saint-Julien. Soft and racy, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, Lagran...
2020 Chateau Latour Martillac - Pessac
The 2020 Latour-Martillac has an impressive, quite engaging bouquet with blackberry, incense, graphite and faint touches of black olive. This is very harmonious and well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, very well balanced, ...
2020 Chateau Leoville Las Cases - St. Julien
The 2020 Léoville Las Cases has developed into a powerhouse. Then again, that is Las Cases. En primeur, I thought the 2020 was a bit shy, but its true personality has to emerge. Blackberry jam, gravel, spice, menthol, licorice, espresso and plum all s...
2020 Chateau Lynch Bages - Pauillac
The 2020 Lynch-Bages, the first vintage vinified at the new winery, has a beautifully-defined bouquet with a strong estuarine influence, brine and seaweed infusing the black fruit. It's almost understated at first, but it opens wonderfully in the glas...
2020 Chateau Mouton Rothschild - Pauillac
The 2020 Mouton Rothschild is very clearly one of the great, great wines of the Left Bank in 2020. All the elements are in perfect balance. A wine of total sensuality and nuance, Mouton is all finesse in 2020, all elegance. An explosion of dark cherry ...
2020 Chateau Palmer Margaux
The 2020 Palmer is exceptional. Soft, seamless and ample, the Grand Vin caresses the palate with stunning depth and intensity. Super-ripe black cherry, licorice, cloves, menthol and chocolate meld together in the glass. As always, Palmer is made from b...
2020 Chateau Pape Clement - Pessac
The 2020 Pape Clément is outrageously beautiful. Dark, virile and imposing, the 2020 is a rare vintage of Pape Clément that is vertical and statuesque in feel. Dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves infuse the palate with tremendous d...
2020 Chateau Pavie - St. Emilion
Pure perfection in red wine, the 2020 Château Pavie checks in as 50% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, all raised in 75% new French oak. Absolutely incredible in every way, it has a sensational bouquet of crème de cassis, smoked ...
2020 Chateau Pavie Macquin - St. Emilion
The 2020 Pavie Macquin is sensational. Rich, dark and explosive, the 2020 balances the natural richness that is such a signature of the estate with a level of energy and vibrancy I have not seen here in the recent past. The result is a towering, imposi...
2020 Chateau Pedesclaux - Pauillac
This is very chewy with dusty tannins and blackberry and blueberry character. Some chocolate, too. Full and layered. Such beautiful violet and black-cherry quality at the end with some raspberries, 56% cabernet sauvignon. 34% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and...
2020 Chateau Pichon Baron - Pauillac
The 2020 Pichon Baron is every bit as magnificent as it was en primeur. A wine of vertical intensity and explosive power, the 2020 offers up an exotic mix of dark red/black fruit, espresso, licorice, menthol, gravel and dried herbs. This potent, drivin...
2020 Chateau Pontet Canet - Pauillac
The 2020 Pontet-Canet is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, aging in 50% new French oak barriques, 35% concrete amphorae and 15% in one-year-old barrels. Harvest began on the 14th September for the Merlot...