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So... As a long time non drinker who only started drinking again 3 years ago, I've recently been introduced to Gin. Now I'm not a spirits fan, in fact Cider is pretty much my only tipple, but I must say I've had a few G&T's now so far (was in Italy recently for work, where Cider is a non entity, and got handed a G&T so followed it up with a few more).
What I am after now is a bit more knowledge on the subject. I did what probably any first time gin drinker would do, and pop to the local off license for a small bottle of Gordon's and Schweppes Tonic water. Not as nice as I was drinking when in Italy (dunno what they were serving though), but it's ok. Got a little more of the "engine coolant" about it mind. I've been told there are better Gin's than Gordon's so, please help me out! What else should I be looking for? Does the brand of Tonic make a difference? And can you have too much ice (I've been using lots)?
So, gin drinkers of the forum, knock me out (literally!) please... 😀
[url= https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&safe=off&q=site%3Asingletrackworld.com+gin&oq=site%3Asingletrackworld.com+gin&gs_l=serp.3...3471.3950.0.4509.3.3.0.0.0.0.103.301.1j2.3.0....0...1c.1.64.serp..0.0.0.2Ef0OzQqvD4 ]should get you started[/url]
No hard and fast rules. Tonic from glass bottles is better - fever tree is particularly good. However, plastic bottles Schweppes, Waitrose etc., is fine too. Absolutely nothing wrong with Gordon's. Beefeater gets labelled as a house brand but it's the oldest gin maker I believe. The botanicals in Bombay Sapphire makes it my favourite.
Suggest doing some research the get on a tasting night somewhere. And, Bombay Sapphire have a great distillery you can tour - much like a good old brewery tour.
Also, 3-4 good ice cubes is fine, less and it melts too fast and ruins the drink, more is fine but harder to drink from the glass. And lime slice preferable but lemon is fine - look out for lemon/lime ice cubes, they are fab.
Not keen on Schweppes tonic - Fever Tree is nommy 🙂
My favourite boozer in Reading has an extensive gin menu, full of flowery botanical witterings - I can only tell the difference for the first 2, then it all tastes very similar.
Not sure how to put this, but... is this a good point in your life to be hitting the gin?
Hendrix and The Botanist for a couple of very nice and easy to find Scottish gins. The Botanist being a particular favourite of mine.
Not sure how to put this, but... is this a good point in your life to be hitting the gin?
Cheers for the concern. Not a big drinker though, I don't like getting pissed, I only drink drinks I like the taste of and generally fall asleep before I can drink too much. Generally if I'm depressed, I don't feel like a drink, if I'm happy I often fancy a drink or two to celebrate. So in that respect, I think I'll be ok... 
My favourite boozer in Reading has an extensive gin menu, full of flowery botanical witterings - I can only tell the difference for the first 2, then it all tastes very similar.
That's the thing though. Not sure if I'd like flowery flavours. Thinking from previous posts that actually, a slice of lime would probably make all the difference to my Gordons/Schweppes combo!
Suggest doing some research the get on a tasting night somewhere.
Hmmmm... Gin tasting night! Sounds dangerous... Off to google a local one now! 😛
Plymouth Gin is very nice...
Relatives in Australia have started a craft distillery and make [url= http://inkgin.com/ ]Ink Gin[/url] - haven't managed to try any yet though...!
As others have said, fever tree or fentimans for tonic, also try it with ginger ale or ginger beer.
I've recently discovered Monkey 47 and Sipsmith VJOP gins which are very nice. Gordons is ok, I personally am not keen on Bombay Sapphire.
Just try loads and find the ones that you like, there are loads of gin bars about these days, although you do need to remortgage if you are going to have a few drinks in one I find!
I had 12 bottles of gin for my birthday a few weeks ago, favourite of all is Portobello road, about £25 from Waitrose.
Like you I only started drinking it recently, I tried P. Road at the good food festival, liked the botanicals and fell in love with it.
One thing I like is to try other citrus fruits instead of lime/lemon. Pink grapefruit being a favourite.
Newcastle Gin is very nice indeed served with Fentmans Tonic, ice and a slice of lime.
Get yourself along to one of these....
Absolutely fantastic nights, there'll be over 100 Gins to try and they will recommend a garnish to go with each one. #limeisdead.
I'm a big fan of Brockmans gin. It's got a Parma violet-esque after taste to it. It's so good you can easily drinks it in the rocks.
I think my favourite has to be Tanquerey 10 /Imported..The absolute prince of gins as far as im concerned, the slightly higher alcohol at 47% gives a smoother, less dry feel. Not cheap though
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/2283/tanqueray-gin-no10
Also Blackwoods 60%
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/2246/blackwoods-gin-60#productReviews
Nice scottish gin, with apple
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/10608/caorunn-gin
And this Lidl special is pretty nice
http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/10980.htm?action=showDetail&id=28740
Not sure about that Parma violet-esque gin, i loathed those disgusting lavender sweets as a child...boak.
dutch 'Jenever' is worth trying to track down - its sort of the ancestor of Gin. Oud (old) recipe in particular is very nice (jonge recipe is less flavoursome and a bit more like vodka). Its lighter tasting than regular gin to the extent that its quite nice to drink on its own without tonic.
Tonic Water is so called as it contains quinine which acts againat Malaria. So just remember that, your G&T is keeping you healthy 🙂
Schwepps tonic water for me, quite like the small cans as they keep fresh. I like a nice tall glass with a sensible adult measure !
Lime if available rather than lemon, cucumber I don't like but its increasingly popular
Bombay Safire
Tanquery
Elephant Gin - supports a sanctuary, tastes great
Hendricks
There are so many choices these days. Lots of smaller Artisan producers which is wonderful. Enjoy its a wonderful summer drinks
Tanqueray is my standard but Brecon, Botanist and especially the top-level Williams Chase are also fantastic.
I actually prefer Schweppes tonic over all the fancy ones, but it has to be the slimline one otherwise it's just too sweet.
Sipsmith. Or hendricks if you cannot find it.
Ophir is delicious - distinctive pepper and cardamom. Just enough fever tree to bring it to life, but don't drown it. Pink grapefruit not lime, balloon glass not a straight tall one.
Gin such a varied drink..
Gordons, lemon line and tonic is a standard, Hendrick with some cucumber - remember to eat it at the end, Botanical with well lots of things. Most recently
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with a little tonic ics and a sprig of rosemary
http://shop.fortyspotted.com/product/forty-spotted-gin-winter-release-700ml/
Our Winter Release is barrel-aged in a French Oak port cask with 20 carefully chosen botanicals artfully balanced to integrate during maturation. Its subtle pink hue will dispel all thoughts of gloom. It’s rare complexity will create an inner glow. It rewards sipping neat or pairing with a quality mixer to extend the pleasure. Here’s to darkness, to long winter nights and the joys of an open fire. Here’s to the warmth of sharing something rare with friends.
Second the Lidl "Hortus" gin. Tesco "finest," is really nice too.
I also like Caorun with some tonic and some slices, mmmmm.
I did a gin safari with this chap:
http://www.theotherandyhamilton.com
and have since been experimenting with home made gins & tonics. (No distilling required).
Basic recipes here:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2014/dec/29/make-your-own-gin-tonic-homemade-gandt
And on Andy Hamiltons site.
Also discovered that Negronis are good with the right mixers.
I recently had the pleasure of sampling Manchester Gin, a new small-batch gin that is cropping up in a few bars in the city. It contains dandelion and burdock botanicals that makes it a bit different to most gins... I found it much smoother than the likes of Bombay, not as dry but dry enough! A bit like Tanqueray 10 but with more of the botanical flavours coming through... Quite almondy with a bit of cardamom in there...
Best served with Fever Tree and pink grapefruit...
Not sure about that Parma violet-esque gin, i loathed those disgusting lavender sweets as a child...boak.
Brockmans is our biggest selling premium premium gin atm, followed by Opihr (partly cos it's more affordable). Brockmans is quite heavily perfumed (forest fruits and berries) often served with ginger ale, gin for the alcopop generation. Other ones that score quite highly with customers are Pinkster and Thomas Dakin, we also regularly get asked for Edinburgh Rhubard and ginger.
This is some of my current collection, plus a few bottles that are too tall for the book case.
The Professor Cornellius Ampleforths Bathtub gin is quite something. They do a 57% Navy strength version too!
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not a gin drinker myslef but my better half enjoys a tipple, her top tip is to slice lemon and limes, then freeze them (in pairs) and use them as 'ice cubes' to chill your gin.
That reminds me Mike, I better go & see Big Chris for some of that since it's my bloody port barrels.
Otherwise the pick for me last summer was Le Gin 1&9 from France.
Can you grab me one kiwi? Must do a lunchtime lark tasting too. That and pilgrim and nant will be sticking the bar under the office from September
I've still got the sring release in the cupboard, Negroni special. & half dozen whisky. They're good neighbours.
Try making some pink gin and tonic by adding a splash or two of angostura bitters to your normal g&t.
Also try sloe gin on ice, no tonic, lush.
Gin and coffee, couldn't live without either.
Ferdinand Saar
Martin Millers is great, lots of flavour. Forest Gin is also bloody gorgeous, but it's not cheap.
Absolutely fantastic nights, there'll be over 100 Gins to try and they will recommend a garnish to go with each one. #limeisdead.
IME avoid cucumber - weirdly overpowering.
IME avoid cucumber - weirdly overpowering.
I was talking to the guy who makes Manchester Gin about garnish. Cucumber tends to be used with gins that contain cucumber... If they're flavoured with cucumber, they use oil rather than a true 'botanical' as the quantity needed to impart any flavour would be massive and the results too unpredictable. So when you use a slice of cucumber, it's enhancing an oily essence which is already quite overwhelming.
As a test of the quality, he suggested you always taste both the gin and the tonic on its own. If either makes your teeth curl, don't waste the other trying to make a good G&T!
Kiwi you know I hate you 🙂
A recent birthday present from my good lady wife was a bottle of Bloom Gin and four pack of Fentimans Tonic. Very nice with lashings of ice after a long hot ride.
It's got a Parma violet-esque after taste to it. It's so good you can easily drinks it in the rocks.
And with that you destroyed any reputation you had on taste. That's on par with Captain and his shoes.
Another vote here for Opihr. Delicious Asian spicieness to it. Yum!
Gins to try:
Butlers
Mare
Jensens Old Tom
Tonic:
Fevertree (using Hendricks and ice it's practically impossible to make a rubbish G&T)
1724
Bermondsey Tonic Water aka BTW
Capi if in Australia
Gents
Don't be afraid to leave the fruit salad out altogether and actually taste the gin. Equally don't be afraid to mess around and find the right addition for your gin. It's a highly personal thing but some things just work together. Google for whatever gin you have and give it a try.
Plenty of ice and make sure the tonic is cold.
For a tonic alternative the Fentimans Rose lemonade is really great.
I'm just enjoying a Larios 12 with Fever Tree tonic water.
Aldi own label and Bombay Sapphire are nice as well.
You cant beat some of this...
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/3/2933/14039784495_898cbf1d1f.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/3/2933/14039784495_898cbf1d1f.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/noDyMV ]TheBotanist22[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmygrainger/ ]jimmyg352[/url], on Flickr
Made here...
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7307/9489081504_06a762e144_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7307/9489081504_06a762e144_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/fsw2kw ]Islay 2011 003[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmygrainger/ ]jimmyg352[/url], on Flickr
In this gin still... Ugly Betty!
[url= https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8061/8227955028_9486bae4af_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8061/8227955028_9486bae4af_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/dx5qnA ]015[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmygrainger/ ]jimmyg352[/url], on Flickr
For a tonic alternative the Fentimans Rose lemonade is really great.
Oh yes on hot day.
Also worth dropping the lemon or lime slice, especially if using a quality tonic, let's more taste come through. Especially with the botanical gins.
I'm more of a whisky person, but my wife likes Brecon and Eggegard (Norway).
Visiting the inlaws for a few nights and have this to try later ...
[URL= http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg97/stox_photos/E8831E63-ECE6-4EC6-88BD-2763C4F32290.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg97/stox_photos/E8831E63-ECE6-4EC6-88BD-2763C4F32290.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
My current favorites are Death's Door, Aviation (both American) and G'vin Fleuraison (French, and my favourite ever gin)
OK, I love my gins and throwing a wild card out here, just been introduced to this and it is currently my no1, I challenge you to find better.
Mixed fentimans tonic, mint spring and if you fancy it a few berries in the glass.
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Oh and its Gemran...
I challenge you to find better
Um....you mean you challenge us to find one that you think tastes better? Tricky, given how subjective taste is....
You'll do well to reliably identify different gins, heavily diluted and chilled, with a strongly flavoured mixer. A good tonic makes all the differene, IME.
plenty of ice - keep it cold
garnish the gin (match the botanicals)
good tonic
don't make it too strong - too many people make it way to strong.
newest gin in our house is Gin Mare - from Catalonia with rosemary, basil, olives and thyme - haven't experimented with garnish for this one yet - not as overpowering as it sounds.
cucumber works well with cucumber infused gins - lots of bars chucking it in any G&T - cos they've seen it elsewhere.
Adnam's gin and Fevertree tonic, killer combo.
cucumber works well with cucumber infused gins - lots of bars chucking it in any G&T - cos they've seen it elsewhere.
Cucumber works with many gins, including the Monkey 47 shown above.
BillMC - MemberAdnam's gin
Surprised by that; nice tipple.
So... Discovered Opihr and Fever Tree Tonic last night... Mmmmmm 😛
Will go so far as to say I've not found anything I can't drink yet, but some are definitely more of an acquired taste than others. Definitely need to get on a Gin tasting evening asap!
By far my favourite is this small batch gin from Edinburgh. The key is to finding it when its available though. It's got very popular, very quickly.
[url=
Spirit Co[/url]
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The Botanist is a lovely gin, bought a bottle of Indian Summer at the weekend, £19.99 at Aldi, and it's very nice. Also have a bottle of hortus and portobello road on the go at the minute.
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Opinions of Greenall's? I know it's relatively mainstream, but I'm finding it a fair bit smoother than Gordon's and it's not too badly priced.
Have just found this place...
[url] http://www.cotswoldsploughhotel.com/ [/url]
It's only about 45mins drive from me, offers a few nice little packages for the gin drinker including overnight stays, so thinking of getting me and the GF a night down there soon! 😀
there's some stunning gin suggestions here, so i don't have anything to add to that. However, if you fancy a few hours out of the house and are daarn saarf, check this out: http://distillery.bombaysapphire.com/
In little old boring Stafford we, surprisingly, have had a gin bar open in the town square. Lots of beards on display, natch, but lots of fancy gins and artisan (so it says on the label) beers.
Mrs BigJohn seems to like a dirty Mediterranean, which isn't a barman, but is a Gin Mare with a poncy tonic and a dollop of gravy out of the olive jar. Cheap at £8 a go. FFS. They don't do martinis apparently because they can't get the most important ingredient - good ice. They say it has to be made in a dedicated ice freezer. I suppose the Beefeater Gibsons I make at home (with 2 cocktail onions and 2 cocktail gherkins) would make their scrotums explode in a rage.
We'll probably nip down there tomorrow night for a couple before cycling on to the Railway Inn for a few pints of Bass.
Anyone tried [url= http://www.dyfidistillery.com ]Dyfi gin[/url]?
Visited them yesterday and picked up a bottle of their Pollination gin. Nice guys and they seem to know their stuff.
Just bought a bottle of [url= http://www.martinmillersgin.com/index.php ]Martin Miller's[/url] and some Fever Tree Tonic, and... WOW!
I'm in heaven!!!
This is absolute bliss... I could get very used to this! 😛
Good choice Mboy, I love Martin Millers. I just got a bottle of Forest Gin as a leaving gift, well chuffed. Got a bottle of Thomas Dakin at the airport when we went away. Manchester Gin, also really good
Currently enjoying a Plymouth Gin with Fevertree Sicilian Lemonade, 3 ice cubes and a slice of lemon. Great summer cooler. G&T? Botanist w Fevertree takes some beating.
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Professor Cornellius Ampleforths Bathtub Gin is superb although I have only tried the normal strength version.
Also something very different but beautiful is Pinkster Gin. Serve with some frozen raspberries, fresh mint and decent tonic and you have a fine drink.
The apparent recommendation to garnish Mare is a sprig of thyme.
It makes a g&t something of a grownups drink, but definitely not for everyone.
I don't know how it's taken so long but I've just discovered 6 o'clock tonic water. This is reviving the not so good gins I have and is well worth looking out for.
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Got a bottle of LIDL's Hortus gin in the fridge at the moment, and well... Really really good!
Tried the Bathtub recently, quite liked it but it's almost like it's trying too hard, there's a whole lot going on in there, makes it a little busy in my book.
Still favouring the Martin Miller's of everything I've tried so far, followed by the Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Blackfriar's gin and the Hortus in my fridge right now.
FWIW, I [b][i]may[/i][/b] have developed a bit of a problem! 😳
Tried this local to me Norfolk gin recently and it is really good.
http://www.jarrold.co.uk/departments/the-deli-and-restaurants/the-deli/gift-ideas/norfolk-gin-70cl
it's by far the best. Its been made compliment their own gin (which is also [url= http://www.waitrosecellar.com/mywaitrose-gin/6-oclock-gin ]excellent[/url]) but works very well with other ginsI don't know how it's taken so long but I've just discovered 6 o'clock tonic water.
Not a gin fan myself but the missus swears by Oxley Gin and Fevertree tonic.
I've dabbled with the Eden Mill Oak Gin on ice with a squeeze of orange, which was palatable.
May I suggest you gin lovers download the Ginventory app? You type in the gin you have and it suggests the best tonics and garnishes for it.
It was suggested to me by a gin expert ([url= http://www.thegintleman.com/ ]The Gintleman[/url]) at a tasting I did a while ago and is very, very good indeed.
The partner of a relative makes this. Despite the connection bias this is special.
http://capreolusdistillery.co.uk