Gin is a type of spirit that is made from juniper berries and other botanicals. There are many different types of gin, each with its own unique flavor and characteristics. In this article, we will explore the different categories and types of gin, including juniper-flavored spirit drinks, compound gin, distilled gin, London gin, Plymouth gin, and Old Tom gin. We will also discuss the history of gin, common gin flavors, and some popular gin cocktails.

Among many famous spirits, Gin is in a class of its own due to its herbal qualities and versatile mixing ability. It is a traditional, clear alcoholic beverage, distilled from a grain mash. Gin gets its predominant flavor from juniper berries, but many other botanicals are typically added which gives Gin additional flavors and aromas.

Gin is a flavored and colorless spirit produced by distilling grains like barley, corn, rye, etc. with other botanicals such as coriander, angelica, herbs, and spices but it has to be predominantly flavored by juniper berries. The base grain mash lends gin the special character of this light-bodied spirit.

Wait… what’s a grain mash? Well, all alcohol has to start with the same sort of basics. Water, sugar of some sort, and yeast. A grain mash is where you’re getting the sugar from. Think of the grain mash like a bowl of oatmeal or porridge. Grains of various types are crushed. Water is added and then its cooked. This cooked mixture is a “grain mash”. It’s here in this mash, where the starch in the grains are converted into sugar. Malt is added with the heat, to help convert the grain starches into fermentable sugars. Once you have these sugars, its ready to be fermented and later distilled. But that whole process will be covered at another time…

In Holland, the distillers make a similar spirit to gin called Genever, from a mixture containing malted barley, wheat, corn, and rye and produce a fuller bodied spirit similar to malt whiskey. Highly aromatic juniper berries are necessary as flavoring agents for both Gin and Genever. Juniper berries are cultivated and commercially grown in northern part of Italy, Canada, Croatia and the USA. The other botanicals used in distilling gin include anise, cinnamon, lemon peel, orange peel, coriander, cassia bark, etc. Most Gin and Genever distillers have their unique combination of botanicals which they maintain as a trade secret.

TYPES OF GIN

The broadly recognized categories include:

• Juniper-Flavored Spirit Drinks
• Gin or Compound Gin
• Distilled Gin
• London Gin
• Plymouth Gin
• Old Tom Gin

Juniper-Flavored Spirit Drinks aka Genever

Juniper-flavored spirit drinks - This category includes the earliest class of gin, produced by pot distillation of fermented grain mash to moderate strength. Pot stills used in production keep the alcohol content of the distillate at about 68% ABV, which is relatively low in comparison with the alcohol content obtained in column stills.

Further distillation is carried out with juniper berries and other botanicals to extract the aromatic compounds. Sometimes this type of gin is aged in wooden barrels, but it retains its grain flavor as a result of distillation. It is required to be bottled at a minimum of 30% ABV.

Jenever, also known as Dutch gin, is a type of gin that originated in the Netherlands and Belgium. It is made from a base of malt wine and flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals. Jenever has a long and storied history dating back to the 16th century, when it was originally developed as a medicinal tonic.

Jenever was originally made with a base of malt wine, which is a type of distilled spirit made from grains such as barley, corn, or rye. The malt wine was then flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals to create a distinctive, aromatic spirit. Jenever was popular in the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as in other parts of Europe, and was often used as a base for cocktails.

Over time, jenever evolved into the gin that we know today, with a wider range of botanicals and a higher alcohol content. Today, jenever is still popular in the Netherlands and Belgium, and is enjoyed by gin lovers all over the world.

There are many popular brands of jenever gin available, each with its own unique flavor and characteristics.

Jenever Styes

There are two main types of jenever: oude (old) jenever and jonge (young) jenever. Oude jenever is made with a base of malt wine and has a more robust, malty flavor. Jonge jenever is made with a base of neutral spirit and has a lighter, smoother flavor.

Here are a couple popular brands of jenever gin:

Bols Jenever: Bols is a well-known brand of jenever gin that is made with a blend of malt wine and neutral spirit. It has a smooth, well-balanced flavor with notes of juniper, coriander, and other botanicals.

Boomsma Jonge Graan Jenever: This high-quality brand of jenever gin that is made a 100% pure grain alcohol with a high blend of malt wine. It has a very smooth flavor with notes of junipe, and other botanicals.

Gin or Compound Gin

Gin, also known as compound gin, is a type of gin that is made by infusing neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals. This type of gin is not required to meet the same production standards as other types of gin and can contain added sugars and other flavors.

Some popular brands of compound gin include:

Beefeater Gin: Beefeater is a well-respected brand of compound gin that is known for its dry, juniper-forward flavor. It is made with juniper berries, angelica root, and other botanicals.

Bombay Sapphire Gin: Bombay Sapphire is a premium brand of compound gin that is known for its complex, aromatic flavor. It is made with juniper berries, angelica root, coriander seeds, and other botanicals.

Hendricks Gin: Hendricks is a unique brand of compound gin that is known for its cucumber and rose petal flavor. It is made with juniper berries, cucumber, and rose petals, among other botanicals.

Distilled Gin

Distilled gin is a type of gin that is made by distilling a mixture of neutral spirit and botanicals, including juniper berries. This process allows the gin to take on a more complex and refined flavor profile. Distilled gin is required to meet certain production standards, including a minimum of 37.5% alcohol by volume and a distinct juniper flavor.

Some popular brands of distilled gin include:

Aviation Gin: Aviation is a popular brand of distilled gin that is known for its smooth, floral flavor. It is made with juniper berries, lavender, and other botanicals.

Bluecoat Gin: Bluecoat is a high-quality brand of distilled gin that is known for its balanced, citrus-forward flavor. It is made with juniper berries, lemon peel, and other botanicals.

Death's Door Gin: Death's Door is a small-batch brand of distilled gin that is known for its crisp, clean flavor. It is made with juniper berries and other botanicals that are sourced locally from Wisconsin.

London Gin

London gin is a type of distilled gin that is made in and around the city of London. It is required to meet certain production standards, including a minimum of 37.5% alcohol by volume and a distinct juniper flavor. London gin is typically dry and has a clean, crisp flavor profile.

Some popular brands of London gin include:

Beefeater London Dry Gin: Beefeater is a well-respected brand of London gin that is known for its dry, juniper-forward flavor. It is made with juniper berries, angelica root, and other botanicals.

Sipsmith London Dry Gin: Sipsmith is a small-batch brand of London gin that is known for its smooth, well-balanced flavor. It is made with juniper berries, lemon peel, and other botanicals.

Tanqueray London Dry Gin: Tanqueray is a high-quality brand of London gin that is known for its bold, juniper-forward flavor. It is made with juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, and other botanicals.

Plymouth Gin

Plymouth gin is a type of distilled gin that is made in Plymouth, England. It is required to meet certain production standards, including a minimum of 41.2% alcohol by volume and a distinct juniper flavor. Plymouth gin has a slightly sweeter and more robust flavor profile than London gin.

Some popular brands of Plymouth gin include:

Plymouth Gin: Plymouth Gin is a well-respected brand of Plymouth gin that is known for its smooth, well-balanced flavor. It is made with juniper berries, angelica root, and other botanicals.

Black Friars Distillery Plymouth Gin: Black Friars Distillery is a small-batch brand of Plymouth gin that is known for its complex, aromatic flavor. It is made with juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, and other botanicals.

The Gin Guild Plymouth Gin: The Gin Guild Plymouth Gin is a high-quality brand of Plymouth gin that is known for its smooth, rich flavor. It is made with juniper berries, angelica root, and other botanicals.

Old Tom Gin

Old Tom gin is a type of gin that was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is made by infusing neutral spirit with botanicals, including juniper berries, and sweetening it with sugar. Old Tom gin has a sweeter flavor profile than other types of gin and is often used in cocktails that require a sweeter flavor.

Some popular brands of Old Tom gin include:

Hayman's Old Tom Gin: Hayman's is a well-respected brand of Old Tom gin that is known for its smooth, well-balanced flavor. It is made with juniper berries, angelica root, and other botanicals.

Ransom Old Tom Gin: Ransom is a small-batch brand of Old Tom gin that is known for its complex, spicy flavor. It is made with juniper berries, cardamom, and other botanicals.

The London No. 1 Blue Gin: The London No. 1 Blue Gin is a high-quality brand of Old Tom gin that is known for its smooth, floral flavor. It is made with juniper berries, lavender, and other

Gin Flavors

Gin can be flavored with a wide variety of botanicals, including juniper berries, coriander, angelica root, orris root, and citrus peels. These botanicals give gin its distinctive flavor and aroma.

Dry Gin

Dry gin is a type of gin that is made with a minimal amount of sugar or sweeteners. It is characterized by a crisp, clean flavor profile with a strong juniper flavor. Dry gin is a popular choice for cocktails that require a more subtle flavor, such as the Martini.

Some popular brands of dry gin include:

Bombay Sapphire Gin: Bombay Sapphire is a premium brand of dry gin that is known for its complex, aromatic flavor. It is made with juniper berries, angelica root, coriander seeds, and other botanicals.

Tanqueray London Dry Gin: Tanqueray is a high-quality brand of dry gin that is known for its bold, juniper-forward flavor. It is made with juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, and other botanicals.

Beefeater London Dry Gin: Beefeater is a well-respected brand of dry gin that is known for its dry, juniper-forward flavor. It is made with juniper berries, angelica root, and other botanicals.

Gin Cocktails

Gin is a versatile spirit that is used in a wide variety of cocktails. Some of the most popular gin cocktails include:

Gin and Tonic: A classic cocktail made with gin, tonic water, and ice, garnished with a lime wedge.

Martini: A classic cocktail made with gin, dry vermouth, and ice, garnished with an olive or a lemon twist.

Negroni: A cocktail made with gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, garnished with an orange peel.

Gin Fizz: A cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, garnished with a lemon wedge.

Tom Collins: A cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, garnished with a cherry and an orange slice.

Bartender Training and Schools for Bartending

If you are interested in learning more about mixing cocktails and becoming a bartender, there are many resources available to help you get started. Bartender training programs and schools for bartending offer courses on cocktail making, mixology, and customer service. These programs can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the bartending industry.

In conclusion, gin is a popular and versatile spirit that is made from juniper berries and other botanicals. There are many different types of gin, including juniper-flavored spirit drinks, compound gin, distilled gin, London gin, Plymouth gin, and Old Tom gin. Each type of gin has its own unique flavor and characteristics. Gin is a key ingredient in many classic cocktails and is enjoyed all over the world.

If you are interested in learning more about mixing cocktails and becoming a bartender, there are many resources available to help you get started. Bartender training programs and schools for bartending offer courses on cocktail making, mixology, and customer service. These programs can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the bartending industry. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced bartender, there is always something new to learn about gin and the art of cocktail making.

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