THE GIN BLOG
THE GIN BLOG
When is a Gin not a gin?
The predominant flavour of gin, according to EU definitions, must be juniper. So should the growing number of 'gins' in which juniper does not dominate be stripped of the title?
Joanne Simcock, Master Distiller/Head of Quality, G&J Greenall
Yes. We should stay true to the tradition of gin — the problem I see is that the definition itself gives rise to interpretation as it uses the word "predominant". This is subjective as what's predominant to me can be perceived as overpowering to one person or non-existent to the next. Rather than create flavoured vodkas, we should be protecting London gin's identity and look to complement the aroma of juniper with other natural botanicals. For example, there are unlimited amounts of herbs, spices, roots and flowers to experiment with — for me this is where the real skill of the master distiller comes into force.
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Is your Neighbor an Alcoholic?
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcoholism currently affects nearly 14 million Americans. Currently the US population is around 304 million, that's roughly 4.5% of the American.
What Women Really Want...Valentine's Day
A recent study of U.S. adult women revealed that when it comes to Valentine's Day, nothing celebrates the one you love better than champagne. An overwhelming 40% of women aged 21 and up in relationships admitted that not only does champagne make the special day more romantic, but it is also the most romantic drink to enjoy with that special someone.
The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on behalf of Perrier-Jouet, asked what type of drink women in relationships would like to share with their significant other on Valentine's Day. The number one choice was champagne with 31% of the vote! This result overwhelmingly beat out rum, which received only 10% of the vote and beer and tequila, which both received 8%.
"While flowers and candy remain popular among women, the consensus is that champagne seems to add an element of romance not easily found in other gifts," said Stephen Brauer, Perrier-Jouet VP and General Manager.
World’s Largest Beverage Competition Announces Winners Geneva, Switzerland
Once again the finest beverage products in the world have met to compete, and the results are now in. The 2008-2009 World Beverage, World Beer, World Spirits and World Wines Competitions have finalized. Entries once again exceeded all prior records with broader and more diverse selections for the judges to choose from.
This years winners hail from 25 countries and all parts of the globe: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and of course The United States. Award winners are displayed in this order: 2009 Category: Platinum: Gold: Silver: Bronze:
The 2009 Gin Winner are:
- Gin:
- Platinum: Straight Gin - New Amsterdam - USA
- Gold: Tanqueray London Dry Gin - England
- Silver: Lucky Dry Gin - USA
- Bronze: Gordon's Gin - England
- Gin Flavored:
- Platinum: Tanqueray Rangpur Gin - England
- Gold: Rouge Spruce Gin - USA
- Silver: Rouge Pink Gin - USA
- Bronze: Excalibur Dry Olive – England
Source: World Beverage Competition http://www.spiritscompetition.com
75th Anniversary of Prohibition
Dec 05, 2008 marks the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition in the U.S. To mark the occasion, we raise a glass to a few of the enterprising characters who owe their fortunes to the period.
Sam Bronfman
Bronfman (which literally means "whisky man" in Yiddish) rubbed elbows
with a who's who of American mobsters.
It was Lucky Luciano who famously said that Bronfman bootlegged enough whisky to "double the size of Lake Erie." By the end of Prohibition, he had made $800 million, gone legit and purchased the Seagram's brand he's known for today.
Hatch purchased the Gooderham & Worts distillery in 1923 for $1.5 million. Soon after, he had an entire fleet of rum-runners (known as "Hatch's navy" ) in his employ.
He added Hiram Walker & Sons, makers of America's favourite firewater, Canadian Club, to the operation in 1926. By the end of Prohibition, he and Bronfman controlled close to two-thirds of the Canadian liquor trade.
John S. Labatt
John Labatt worked every angle to ensure his brewery survived
Prohibition: He paid bonuses to bootleggers to get his product into the
U.S., arranged out-of-province mail-order schemes and even produced 2%
alcohol brews that complied with U.S. regulations. When the ban was
lifted, a gang of disgruntled smugglers kidnapped him for ransom--but
he managed to survive that, too.
John McLaughlin
McLaughlin is the Toronto pharmacist who stumbled upon "the Champagne
of Ginger Ales" in 1904. Canada Dry, it later turned out, was the
perfect disguise for terrible bathtub gin, and, by the 1920s, it was
practically the official beverage of Prohibition. Unfortunately, it was
an American man, P.D. Saylor, who reaped the benefits, having bought
the Canada Dry brand in 1923.
The Blue Stater Cocktail
Now that the Election Results are in, the Blue States have rallied behind President-elect Barack Obama.
Victory has been achieved perhaps for the time-being. Whatever your political leanings are… it’s time to sit back, relax and take a deep breath.
It’s only fitting that we acknowledge the great campaign of Senator Obama and Senator McCain. Let’s salute them with a ‘The Blue Stater’.
THE BLUE STATER COCKTAILJuice of 1/2 lime
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
1/2 teaspoon Canton ginger liqueur
8 fresh blueberries
2 ounces No. 209 Gin.
In a shaker, combine the lime juice, sugar, ginger liqueur and blueberries. Muddle until everything is well mixed. Add the gin. Fill with ice, shake and strain into chilled cocktail glass.
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