I can get pretty passionate about my gin, so when I saw an article recently noting that British gins were really all you should reach for when mixing a cocktail I was skeptical. What about my beloved St. George's from California? Or how about Oola, distilled right here in Seattle?
The point of The Washington Post article wasn't to take anything away from all of the incredible domestic gin producers, but rather to point out the general differences in flavor profiles and why one is clearly better suited for cocktails than another. The main difference between many American gins and British gins? Writer Jason Wilson discusses how the British gins are far more botanical or "juniper-forward" whereas many American gins are either fruitier or more floral, "which can get lost when bitters and liqueurs are added".
In our house, we often have this very debate in a roundabout way, not so much in terms of British or American gins but in terms of our nicer gins vs. mixing gins: what's the point, really, of using a really floral, special bottle of gin if you're just watering it down with tonic? So we always have at least two bottles at home: one for mixing and one for making "real" cocktails.
I haven't thought much about the British vs. American debate, but I think Wilson has a point, really: if you're going to add competing flavors to gin in a cocktail, you've got to use a gin that's big and bold enough to stand up to them. Many British gins are so juniper-forward that this isn't a problem; many of the American gins that I quite love may struggle to hold their own in this way.
→ Read the Article: Navy Strength Gins are Perfect for Cocktails by Jason Wilson
Related: DIY Booze: The Homemade Gin Kit
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We also have two types of gin at home,depending on what I'm doing with it. Tanqueray Rangpur is for G&Ts and Hendricks is for martinis. Wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm recently discovering martinis and love using gin because of the juniper notes it provides... (recently posted a mini-tini recipe http://tinyurl.com/asm68hw) Admittedly I'm not a gin-connoisseur, but I do love hearing about the different flavor profiles of the ingredients. It's generally tougher to understand these differences when bottles are $30+ a pop. I would love to hear more about differences between brands. Thanks so much for posting!
We typically just keep a bottle of Tanqueray for everything. We'll pick up a bottle of Beefeater when we want to really taste the gin. Bombay Sapphire is also a good strong flavored gin.
It really depends on what you like. I prefer the subtle flavors of my gin. I don't really mix gin with much (gin+soda is my drink)
Normally when something British is preferred over American, I agree with a nod and a benevolent smile. But in this case you are selling yourself short - I've been a G&T lover for years and my favourite gin to use is Rogue Brewery's spruce gin. It has a beautiful smooth taste and its flavours still come across clearly through the bitterness of tonic.
And British horses make a better burger.
I do this with all of my alcohol, not just gin. I have the mixing ones, which tend to be something milder, blended, less expensive, etc. and the "real" drinking ones, which means I don't mix it, add ice, etc. This was something my dad did too, especially because we're a whisky drinking duo :)
Uhh, I didn't know there was another type of gin. American gin?? Is it more expensive?
Where is the little hat that always comes on Brokers? I initially bought it *just for the hat.* Turns out it's fantastic, and it runs about $16 in my local liquor emporium.
I'm putting the hats on all my other bottles and soon I will have a nice little army of Magritte's Sons Of Man on my bar.
I like Beefeaters too, and Hendricks when my garden is pumping out cucumbers.
Boodles is tasty too.
A fond memory of childhood is hot Aussie summer afternoons with my Great Aunt drinking Tonic water or Mint Juleps (without the Gin). When I drank Tonic water the bonus is less mosquito bites. My favourite Gin is Bombay Saphire otherwise I will use Gordon's or Plymouth as a mixer.
Tanqueray is my go to gin but when I can get it, I love Cork Irish gin. So unbelievably delicious ....
@playminxie: Thanks so much for the tip -- I'll have to try it!