6 Exquisite Gins To Celebrate “National Gin & Tonic Day” With
Coming up in a few weeks, the next National Gin & Tonic Day is set for April 9, 2019. In turn, what better way to prepare for a day of G&T’s than with gins from all around the world? Each carrying its own distinctive flavors and botanicals, below is a mix of acclaimed gins spanning five nations on three continents, as representing Ireland, India, California, Canada and England alike.
Award-winning Empress 1908 Gin — as made in Canada by Victoria Distillers — is micro-distilled in small batch copper-pot stills and handcrafted using eight signature botanicals: tea, juniper, rose, coriander seed, grapefruit peel, ginger root, cinnamon bark, and butterfly pea blossom. The butterfly pea blossom, which they discovered in one of the Empress tea blends, imbues the gin with distinctive earthy notes and a vivid indigo hue. Enhanced with the simple addition of citrus or tonic, Empress 1908 Gin reveals a beautiful secret: the transformation of its color from deep indigo to a soft pink.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is slow distilled by hand with eight botanicals (Juniper Berries, Angelica Root, Orris Root, Caraway Seed, Coriander Seed, Meadow Sweet, Cardamom, and Star Anise) in the copper pot still. Four additional botanicals (Oriental Lemon, Oriental Lime, Fresh Grapefruit, and Gunpowder Tea) are vapor infused in a vapor basket. The vapor rises through the unique shape of the medieval head, which allows maximum copper contact. This helps to clean and purify the spirit. The recommended perfect serve includes ice, tonic and a large wedge of grapefruit.
Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin is as royal and spectacular in its lineage as the name suggests. A triple-distilled neutral grain spirit, re-distilled in a traditional copper pot still; the recipe handcrafted in a time-honored way. Of the 11 botanicals used in the distillation, seven of them have been sourced from all four corners of India. The Coriander and Vetiver — a complex spice with intriguing peppery notes — are grown in the fields around Jaisalmer in Northern India. The sweet orange peel, which complements the citrus and floral tones of the gin, comes from Central India. Cubeb Berries and Lemongrass from Southern India, Darjeeling Green Tea leaves from Eastern India and Lemon Peel from Western India. Other botanicals included within Jaisalmer’s offering include angelica roots, liquorice and caraway seeds lending a spicy, slightly anise-tinged flavor to the gin.
Aviation Gin has been referred to by actor and producer Ryan Reynolds as “the best gin on the planet.” Aviation Gin is the world’s highest-rated gin with 97 points from Wine Enthusiast. Aviation helped establish a new style of American gin — softer and smoother, with juniper in the background and both citrus and floral notes in the front — resulting in more balanced cocktails. Aviation is distilled using a proprietary maceration process that produces a pure medley of botanical flavor. Its gin is handcrafted in small 100-case batches and distilled using a proprietary maceration process that produces a pure medley of botanical flavor. Aviation is made at the House Spirits Distillery in Portland, Oregon by master distillers Christian Krogstad and Andrew Tice. Oh, and the aforementioned Ryan Reynolds became the brand’s new owner as of early 2018.
Bold, rich juniper artfully balanced with fresh citrus, Benham’s Gin is a Sonoma Dry-style gin that is infused with 12 botanicals, each individually vapor-distilled. Produced in Northern California, the popular spirit utilizes locally grown Meyer Lemon and Buddha’s Hand, both painstakingly hand-zested to showcase vibrant, fragrant citrus characteristics that are ideal for refreshing G&Ts.
GB Gin is crafted by copper pot, distilling Chase Potato Vodka with 10 carefully-selected botanicals; juniper (the buds and the berries), coriander seed, bitter almond, cinnamon bark, ginger, cloves, angelica root, liquorice root, lemon peel kibbles, and cardamon to create their GB extra dry gin.
About the Author
Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."
Related Posts
15 New Cocktails From Top Brands & Mixologists To Make At Home →
Have You Seen Aviation Gin’s New 2019 Holiday Offerings Yet? →
