The Tasting Panel magazine

January/February 2015

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104  /  the tasting panel  /  january/february 2015 Ship Shape: Plymou Gin Plymouth Gin continues to be made where it originated over 200 years ago, at England's oldest, continuously operating gin distillery, the Black Friars Distillery. The small batch gin is crafted in the distillery's copper pot still according to the original 1793 recipe that calls for using pure grain spirits, soft Dartmoor water and seven hand-selected botanicals. It is bottled at the 19th century strength of 41.2% alcohol (82.4 proof), which is thought to bring about the best harmony between the botanical flavors and alcohol. Plymouth Gin is characteristically complex—dry, aromatic and brimming with long- lasting flavor. It has an expansive citrus, spice and juniper bouquet and a lightweight, seamlessly smooth body. The gin immediately fills the mouth with a balanced offering of juniper, coriander, orange and lemon. The exuberant flavors linger on the palate for an agreeably long time. "The bartending community has embraced Plymouth and kept it front and center on their bars," says Brand Director Juli Falkoff. "A unique and versatile gin, Plymouth can be enjoyed in complex cocktails or as a classic Martini. In fact, Plymouth has long played a role in the cocktail culture. The first published recipe in 1904 for the Marguerite, which we now know as the Dry Martini, called for Plymouth Gin by name. When the renowned Savoy Cocktail Book was published in 1930, the brand was the only referenced gin and the second most named spirit." Plymouth is the homeport for the British Royal Navy and for over 200 years, Plymouth Gin was taken aboard the Royal Naval fleets as they sailed across the world. The distillery also markets the gin at the Navy Strength of 57% alcohol (114 proof). PERNOD RICARD Beefeater London Dry Gin is a natural choice to feature in Gin & Tonics, but rest assured, this is a spirit that knows no creative limits. According to Brand Director Juli Falkoff, consumers seeking a more flavorful and sophisticated white spirits naturally gravitate to a classic gin like Beefeater. "It's the quintes- sential London Dry Gin—citrus forward with a juniper backbone and softer tasting notes that definitely open up a wide range of cocktail possibilities." First produced in 1820 by British pharmacist James Burrough, Beefeater London Dry Gin is made according to the same family-held recipe using time-honored production tech- niques. The botanicals called for in its recipe include juniper berries, coriander, angelica root, licorice, cassia bark, dried Seville orange peels and Spanish lemon peels. They are steeped in the neutral spirits for a full 24-hours before being redistilled in an alembic still. Beefeater is bottled at a lip-tingling 94 proof. A quick sniff is all that's needed to fully explain Beefeater's enduring popularity. The famous gin has a lavish bouquet laced with floral, spice and juniper. It immediately fills the mouth with waves of crisp, exceptionally dry flavors, notably juniper, citrus, lavender and spice. The persistence of flavors is remarkably long. Top-shelf Beefeater 24, 90 proof, is distilled with a unique blend of 12 hand-selected botanicals, an aromatic mix that features Seville oranges, grapefruit peels and Chinese green and Japanese Sencha teas in addition to the nine botanicals found in the original Beefeater. These botanicals, hand-picked by Master Distiller Desmond Payne, change the flavor profile, making it a more delicate expression of London Dry Gin. PERNOD RICARD Brilliantly Brish: Beefeater London Dry Gin and Beefeater 24

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