The Guardian has a great article on gin:
“Gin, the drink that once seemed terminally unfashionable, is undergoing a revival and is once again the darling of cocktail aficionados.”
Dorothy Parker:
“I love to drink martinis,
Two at the very most
After three I’m under the table
After four I’m under my host”
With the arrival in Australia of Hendrick’s a few months back it looks like there could be a gin resurgence coming, perhaps to rival vodka. A while ago my post on my top ten gins was popular so I thought it may be worth voting upon. I suspect people are much more passionate about gin rather than vodka because the taste is so complex. With vodka the choice is really about the purity you are prepared to pay for.
For the record I’m told that locally Hendrick’s is available from The Prince Winestore, The Wigs Cellar and from Dan Murphy’s and Vintage Cellars from this month.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m trying to vote for Tanqueray 10 . . . but the poll seems to be having a hissy fit – keeps on telling me I haven’t voted . . .
There’s something up with it. I’ll try and fix it. give me half an hour.
Just as an FYI, Hendrick’s has been around since 2002 and won it’s first award in 2003.
Also, it’s the best gin on this list (though I’d like to see Bluecoat and Bulldog on here as well).
.although it has only been officially imported to Australia since this year…
Fixed!
Just a tip for globe-trotting Hendricks fans: Hendricks is now being stocked in the duty-free part of Kuala Lumpur International Airport for RM60 (about US$20) a bottle – possibly the cheapest place on the planet to get your booze on.
My mother in law drinks the Coles house brand, Old Lions.
I call it Old Loins.
i’d like to leave a vote for junipero gin (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/about_us/junipero.htm)
“Calling Dr Bombay …Dr Bombay?!” The Bombay Sapphire bottle conjures up thoughts of Endora on Bewitched, all vivid eye makeup and lurid caftans, sucking down dry martini’s.
I grew up on Tanqueray, but find myself calling for the good Dr these days.
Bulldog is great. Very strong on the aroma, smooth on its finish. Gotta love the dragon eye (sexual stimulant from the orient!)
Coincidentally Ed, we’re now stocking the Hendricks at Ye Olde Commoner…the missus told me the other night that she was extending the spirits list and I mentioned a gin that was made in Scotland but I couldn’t remember the name off the top of my head and she, thinking I was being overly patriotic as usual, said “Well, we’re getting Hendricks” and my response…”That’s it!” Very scientific eh?
Beefeater remains my favourite. I think it is the only true London Gin on the list. Hendricks is fun, but not for mixing. I am a fan of Bulldog and the new boutique gin, Sipsmith’s. But still think Beefeater and Plymouth wipe the floor with all the others in a Martini
Simon
Tough decision. Spilt between Tanqueray & Hendrick’s. But had many fond memories with Bombay. Arrr… but I love my martinis so it has to go to Hendrick’s.
Simon, there are a few more I’ve discovered since this post, many pretentious and exotic, but I quite like Aviation as well as Hendricks for martinis. But I’m becoming radically local and Larks distillery in Tasmania is making an amazing gin with pepperberries. Worth a look if you can find it although it is probably wasted with tonic. I recently was sent a bottle of the Plymouth 100 proof which is great in a G&T.
Penny, I have fond, or maybe not so fond, memories of them all. Was back atDer Raum last nightand had an Aviation martini. But as I said the Simon I think I’m going to be on Larks for a while.