Styles of Gin

As gin brands continue to rise, so do the many labels now staring back at you. It can be overwhelming. Which one to choose? Do you choose by price, colour, label (we have all done it), celebrity or flavours.

Ideally, the best way to start is to narrow down which particular style you like. But first, what is gin? It is a distilled spirit; it must be infused with at least 51% juniper berries. Now for the variety of styles available.

London Dry - Despite its name, it does not need to be made in London. No artificial flavours or colours may be used. It must be juniper based. Thus, giving you that beautiful bouquet of Juniper, orris root, coriander and angelica, that we all know and love.

Plymouth - Plymouth gin, may by law only be made in Plymouth. It is a little less dry than your London gin however its botanical recipe is made up of more root ingredients such as angelica and coriander, hence giving you those lovely earthy flavours.

Genever - It was the original style of gin and is made from malted grain mash, somewhat like whiskey. Its region specific to Holland, Belgium and a few select areas in France and Germany.

Pink - It is typically a dry gin flavoured or infused with red fruits. A relatively new invention or so we think, but it has actually been around since 1824 when a German doctor created a remedy for stomach ailments, known as Angostura bitters; These bitters, were just that, bitter but this medicine was a staple on British Royal Navy Ships, where they would add a little gin to it, making it more palatable and by default they created the first ‘cocktail’. Pink gins ‘Ginaissance’ in 2013, highlighted this pretty spirit and put it firmly back on the market.

Navy strength - By definition Navy strength gin has to have an abv (alcohol by volume) of at least 57%. Its name dates back to the eighteenth century and again involves the Navy. It would be stored next to the gunpowder, and if for whatever reason the barrel leaked or broke the high alcohol content did not spoil the gunpowder.

Old Tom - Is a slightly sweeter gin with a less botanical version of gin. It tends to be lighter, softer and malty than a London Dry gin. Old Tom gin is definitely one to try and is favoured by many mixologists for their cocktails.