Behind the softly lit walls of Duke's Bar in London, picture the great writer, Ian Fleming, as he quietly contemplates one of the most iconic characters in Hollywood history, James Bond. Legend has it that it was here that he coined the phrase "Shaken, not stirred." His drink of choice: a gin martini.
Head there today, and you'll be treated to one of the most famous gin cocktails in the world. The free-poured martini is a testament to the spirit in its most classic form — served straight up in a frozen glass with just a dash of vermouth.
A Curious History
Beyond being a muse to one of the great cultural icons of our era, of all the spirits, gin, and its incredibly wild history, is arguably one of the quirkiest.
Beginning as a cure-all medicine sold in apothecaries across Europe to a vilified substance in the 1700s, the quality of gin was a far stretch from what it is today. A pint of gin then was cheaper than a pint of beer and included dubious ingredients like sawdust and sulphuric acid…yummy!? Fortunately, this is of course no longer the case as distillation has had quite a makeover and so did gin! Out with the sawdust and in with the pure, delicious, sawdust-free tipple we know and love.
A Wild Spirit
At the heart of gin is the beloved juniper berry, the not-so-secret ingredient in any spirit categorized as gin. This berry-like botanical is actually a seed cone that's foraged rather than farmed. Therefore, by nature of its ingredients, gin is a wild child at heart.
As is with anything wild in nature, there really are no bounds when it comes to creativity in gin distilling. When you look on the shelves today, you'll find a wide variety of styles, but with so many options, how do you choose?
For the Purist: Classic London Dry
A London Dry Gin is the archetype when it comes to gin styles. To be classified as such, it must be "dry." When you see this word on a liquor bottle, it refers to its sugar content or lack thereof.
Additionally, the star ingredient must be juniper. A palate best described as a long walk in the woods; think fresh notes of pine and citrus with a pop of pepper.
If you're looking for a quintessential old-school gin, look no further than No.3 London Dry Gin, the same bottle used in the acclaimed gin martini at Duke's bar in London. It has the honor of being created by the only person in the world with a PhD in Gin. The result is a thoughtful blend of just six botanicals that highlight the traditional notes of juniper, citrus, and spice.
Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin also fits this bill. As with all London Dry gins, it's juniper-forward, but the beauty of Bombay is the delicate flavor profile paired with a subtle kick of spice from ingredients such as Moroccan cubeb berries and West African grains of paradise.
For the Rebel: New World Flavors
Contemporary-style gins emphasize botanicals other than juniper. The secret sauce to this classification is their license to break all the traditional rules of gin.
Cue Conniption American Dry Gin. By marrying science and art, this powerfully aromatic gin delivers a rush of flavor from an enticing bouquet of ingredients like cucumber, honeysuckle, and fig — a perfect match for anyone looking for a loud and distinctive gin and tonic.
For the Nature Lover: Floral and Herbaceous
Explosively floral, The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, as the name suggests, is full of Hebridean botanicals all foraged locally on the Scottish island of Islay. It's ridiculously complex, and to savor the blossoming floral, minty, and citrus notes, we suggest enjoying this in the form of any citrus-forward cocktail like a gimlet.
Another uniquely floral gin is Hendrick’s, otherwise known as the "cucumber gin," owing to a rose petal and cucumber infusion post-distillation. We suggest mixing it with a refreshing elderflower tonic for a pretty summer garden cocktail.
For the Adventurer: Bold and Exotic
It doesn't get more adventurous than Monkey 47. '47' indicates the colossal number of botanicals that make this gin exceptional. A mix of berries, spices, herbs, and fruit, all sourced from the German Black Forest, are left to macerate in the pure waters of the woods. The taste is just as magical as it sounds — a perfect base for a big and complex cocktail like a Negroni.
For the Whiskey Lover: Aged Gin (Old Tom Gin)
If you’re a steadfast whiskey loyalist, venturing into the world of clear spirits may seem far-fetched, even more so when it comes to the notion of gin. You may think there’s no way a simple gin could sate your rich and intense whiskey palate? Well, our friend Old Tom would disagree.
Who’s this Old Tom, and what does he know about gin, you may ask? Old Tom is actually a style of gin. It’s often sweeter, rounder and less botanical-focused, but you’ll want to get your hands on an aged version of Old Tom. The time in the barrel imparts some of your favorite whiskey notes in perfect symmetry with the botanical foundation of the gin. The result is a delicious neat-sipper or a pour that brings new complexity to a cocktail. Old Tom can come in a variety of styles, but this award-winning Tom Cat Gin by Barr Hill is a must-try for any whiskey lover.
In Closing
This versatile spirit is full of possibilities. With a whole spectrum of flavors and infusions to explore, experiment with your own recipes or supplement gin in any of your go-to classic cocktails. The multi-faceted nature of gin is what makes it a tipple to be enjoyed year-round. Head over and peruse the Gin Collection — from fresh rose-petal gin to an award-winning navy strength gin, you’ll always find a new style to taste test.
