• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Favorite Gin?

There is often quite a bit of difference in how "fruity" one brand or version is, in my experience. Sometimes it's more obvious in the aftertaste than on first sip. If you want to try this, have one G&T with regular Tanqueray, then one made with Tanqueray 10 (their premium version). The juniper berry flavor of the latter is way more pronounced than with the regular green bottle stuff.

I would characterize some of the others (Gordon's, Bombay) as being a little drier and less fruity also.

The biggest variance (in bars anyway) is the tonic water, how fresh it is etc. Places that use guns to dispense tonic water can sometimes make horrible tasting G&T's. An Outback Steakhouse near me kept sending drinks to the table that tasted horrible, and nothing like a Tanqueray & Tonic (I specified when I ordered). They eventually switched to using bottled tonic water, and the problem went away. Turned out their bar mixer system was trashing the flavor so what came out of the gun never tasted right. Probably had other problems too but it was immediately detectable with the G&T's.

John

finnbow said:
As long as one is using decent tonic and a good chunk of lime, I don't think the brand makes a lot of difference in a gin and tonic. That said, Tanqueray is my go-to brand for G&T's, though Gordon's is acceptable and much cheaper.

Regardless of the quality of the gin used in gin & tonics, they are a dangerously quaffable drink. I've heard they make your babies get born naked.:D

For martinis, Beefeaters is a ages-old classic. Then again, I haven't had a martini in several decades and my info may be dated. Martinis make me irretrievably stupid.
Click to expand...
 
I had too much gin one night back in the day and have only had gin once since - after 30 years. I'm a vodka martini man all the way. Dry with olive.
 
I had similar experiences when I was a lot younger, but with screwdrivers and then margaritas the second time it happened. Haven't touched vodka or tequila since but gin suits me fine. Only real side effect is too much seems to semi-paralyze the vocal cords and I'm unnaturally quiet the next day.

John
 
I like Beefeater's, Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire. Tanqueray is what I prefer for gin & tonic, Bombay Saphphire & Beefeater's for martinis - preferably of the very very dry variety.

Beefeater's is what is usually at hand both because it's a bit less costly and a bit more versatile than the other two according to intensive taste testing at chez Flyz :drunk:
 
Another Hendrick's lover here. Martinis, G&Ts, or even one that I got off the Hendrick's hang tag that's okay with lesser gins too, the Gin Buck:

1/3 fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/3 gin
1/3 ginger ale
 
Agree with finnbow and others

when you start mixing spirits in drinks the only thing is find a decent tasting one and use that. Now if your gonna drink it straight or on the rocks go for the best cause that is when taste counts. For me Bombay Saphire is my gin of choice for that. For tequila I go for sammy hagars Wabo Cabo,vodka Grey Goose.
 
I'm not very experienced with the higher end gins, but one brand that *really* surprised me with its quality (especially for the price) was Bluecoat.
It's an American Dry Gin made in Philadelphia in an old copper still. It's a bit hard to find sometimes, though, but if you can it's worth a look.
 
Thanks for the recommendations folks here are my findings so far.
The Tangueray is good but has too much lime flavor for my tastes.
The Blue Sapphire is very good and maybe a favorite at this point except for cost which isn't bad.
The New Amsterdam is good for a inexpensive gin and will make a good back up.
But so far Beefeater is a winner for quality & price for a gin & tonic. I can see spending more for Martini's etc. Costco has the 1.75 litre bottle for $24 that I have been buying.
My wife & I did a blind taste test between Blue Sapphire & Beefeater and it was nearly impossible to detect a difference and had a great time doing it. The taste test that is. :D


I'll be on the look-out for the other brands mentioned here, Thanks!
 
If you're drinking Hendricks cut up some cucumber and put it in the glass. For mixing I go with Bombay Sapphire, Gordons reminds me too much of my college years (and not in a good way, kinda the same effect as Sauza Gold tequila).
 
I have not seen anyone mention Plymouth Gin. Has anyone tried it?

I have been drinking New Amsterdam of late.


.-.-.-
 
Hey, Ducati, I'm surprised you're the first to have mentioned Plymouth gin here. It's a bit $pendy, but it's definetly the preferred gin at our house; needless to say my wife and I are big G&T fans.

Tanqueray is our usual house pour. Not that enthused about Sapphire. Hendricks is OK, but is just a little "off". If I'm in a penurious mood and out of Tanqueray, I enjoy Seagrams. Haven't had Beefeaters in a long time, will need to try it again. Never tried Boodles, either. Love me some Plymouth!
 
Mrv8q said:
Hey, Ducati, I'm surprised you're the first to have mentioned Plymouth gin here. It's a bit $pendy, but it's definetly the preferred gin at our house; needless to say my wife and I are big G&T fans.
Click to expand...

It is good to know it is worth the premium price.

My last bottle of gin was Broker's. It made good martinis, but did not taste right with tonic water. I will not be buying that brand again.


.-.-.-
 
I've seemed to have found personally, and it seems others here make similar remarks about Gins, that Gins seem "to come and go".

Meaning, that one might be a "Tanqueray Man, Beefeater Man, Sapphire Man" for many moons, then one switches to another brand, and then prefers that brand over the previous liking.

I wonder then, is it our tastes, that our tastes change, or "evolve", or is it possibly that many Gins seem to gradually change, and that flavor consistency of the major Gins changes somewhat as time passes?

Perhaps a bit of both I reckon can be true.

I know many times over the years, I thought Tanqueray tasted like lighter fluid, maybe preferable for a Gin and Tonic, but not a Martini. Then it seemed that the Tanqueray had grown on me, had a special "character" I was missing in other Gins?

Funny, I know.

Boodles was another Gin I liked at one time, but I think too, this had changed, and not for the better. Mark
 
Man, this is tough.

Perhaps, over-all, Junipero (by Anchor Steam!) - it really presents the juniper notes!

Tanqueray 10 seems to have changed a little in the last several years, but still a nice, 'easy' to quaff' gin. I appreciate its lighter touch.

Guilty pleasure: Monkey 47 and their yearly 'distiller's cut' special editions. It's the bomb, for sure. (If I were going to the gallows tomorrow, I would choose 47 Monkeys as my final gin.)

Hendricks is a 'stroll and enjoy' brand that shows up at festivals alot. I have happy memories associated with it.

Bro-in-law's favorite is Plymouth.

W pretty much try any new gin that pops up in a sotr: We also like The Botanist. St. George Distillery, Roku (Japanese brands of Scotch impress me, as well,) and Cemetery Gin (I grew up in the town where it's made!)

An odd one: Vom Fass Alpine Gin, which I have only ever seen at their liquor 'boutiques' is a nice, light on the palate gin, if you ever happen upon it.

For tonics, we end up with Fever Tree and Q Spectacular most frequently. But Fentimans appears now and again...but I find it a bit medicinal.

Napa Valley Distillery makes a good Tonic Syrup, as well.

Final item: we also like to grab some juniper berries and sometimes muddle them into a G & T.

Cheers, amigos!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom