Gin has a rich history. It started as a medieval remedy and has now become a modern staple in bars and homes worldwide, thanks to its intricate blend of botanicals. This guide dives deep into the fascinating world of types of gin.
We’ll explore five distinct styles of gin: London Dry, Plymouth, Old Tom, Genever, and New American. Each style offers unique flavors and aromas. They also carry a rich history and a distinct method of production.
London Dry Gin: The Gold Standard of Gin
London Dry Gin, a quintessential type of gin, is the epitome of classic gin. It’s not merely a style; it’s the backbone of countless cocktails.
- Characteristics: London Dry is known for its crisp, dry taste with a dominant juniper flavor. The botanicals used are all natural, with no artificial flavors or preservatives allowed. Commonly used botanicals include coriander, angelica root, orange peel, and lemon peel. These botanicals are added during the second or third distillation processes, allowing for the essential oils and aromas to infuse the spirit.
- Origins: The style originated in England in the 19th century as a refinement of earlier gins. It was during this time that Aeneas Coffey invented the continuous still. This invention allowed for a purer distillation process and, consequently, a more refined gin.
- Best Enjoyed: London Dry Gin is famously versatile. It’s the preferred gin for a classic Gin & Tonic and serves as an excellent base for a dry Martini. Its robust juniper and citrus profile cut through with refreshing clarity, making it ideal for a range of cocktails.
Plymouth Gin: Smooth and Subtle
Plymouth Gin provides a softer alternative to London Dry. This unique style of gin holds a geographical designation, similar to Champagne in France.
- Characteristics: This gin is slightly less dry than its London counterpart, with a rich, earthy taste and a smooth finish. It often features botanicals like lemon peel, orange peel, cardamom, and orris root. The water used comes from Dartmoor, which is reputed to be soft and adds to the smoothness of the spirit.
- Origins: Distilled in Plymouth, England, since 1793. Plymouth Gin was once the most widely used gin in the Royal Navy, becoming a staple aboard British ships.
- Best Enjoyed: Plymouth Gin is excellent in cocktails that require a more subtle gin flavor. It is perfect in a Martini or a Negroni, where its smoothness complements the vermouth and Campari beautifully.
Old Tom Gin: The Sweet Middleman
Old Tom Gin acts as a bridge. It connects the malty sweetness of Dutch Genever with the botanical sharpness of London Dry Gin. This makes it a distinct type of gin, perfect for various cocktails.
- Characteristics: This gin is known for its sweeter taste and often richer body. It can be produced through various methods, including aging in barrels, which imparts additional vanilla and wood notes. The inclusion of licorice or sugar post-distillation differentiates it from London Dry.
- Origins: Old Tom Gin was popular in 18th-century England and is experiencing a revival today. It was the gin used in the original Tom Collins cocktail in the 1870s, which helped popularize it in the United States.
- Best Enjoyed: Old Tom Gin is ideal for sweeter gin cocktails. It’s perfect in a classic Tom Collins, where its sweetness balances the lemon’s sourness. It also complements the richness of vermouth beautifully in a Martinez.
Genever: The Ancestral Spirit
This type of gin is often referred to as the original gin. Genever was crafted long before the gin craze took over England.
- Characteristics: Genever has a noticeably malty and slightly fruity profile. Made from a malt wine base, it’s much richer than most gins. This spirit comes in two main styles: oude (old) and jonge (young). These styles differ in their botanical load and distillation process.
- Origins: Genever originates from the Netherlands and Belgium in the 16th century. Genever was initially a medicinal liquor, distilled with juniper to mask the taste of the medicinal herbs.
- Best Enjoyed: Genever is best sipped neat to appreciate its complex flavors. However, it also works well in simple, classic cocktails. For instance, in a Dutch Negroni, its rich flavor profile perfectly complements the Campari’s bitterness.
New American Gin: Creative and Bold
The New American style of gin allows distillers to experiment beyond the traditional juniper-forward profile, creating innovative and unique botanical mixtures.
- Characteristics: New American Gin can vary widely in taste, but they generally feature innovative botanicals such as cucumber, hibiscus, or even Szechuan peppercorn, which provide a modern twist on the traditional gin base. This style emphasizes the distiller’s creativity and often features a less dominant juniper presence.
- Origins: Emerging from the American craft distillery movement, this style has gained popularity over the last few decades, with small-scale distilleries experimenting with local flora and new distillation techniques.
- Best Enjoyed: Due to its diverse nature, New American Gin is perfect for experimental mixology. It can be used in a modern cocktail like a gin cucumber smash or a floral gin and tonic, allowing the unique botanicals to shine through.
Conclusion
The world of gin is as diverse as it is fascinating, with each style offering something different to gin enthusiasts. From the traditional to the contemporary, these types of gins provide a window into the historical and cultural nuances of their origins. Whether you’re crafting a crisp G&T or a complex cocktail, understanding these styles will enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of gin. As the popularity of gin continues to rise globally, its potential for variety and innovation remains boundless.