Nothing makes you feel sophisticated quicker than a gin and … something.
But were you aware of how many types of gin are on the market?
Sit back, and grab a tonic, because were going to look at a range of great gins.
It was discovered in the middle ages and initially served as herbal medicine.
It is also a highly versatile liquor, which explains its popularity in mixed drinks.
The following different types of gin offer you a range of flavors and styles to suit every need.
London Dry Gin
London Dry Gins are the standard-bearer; the botanical workhorse that has remained the boss!
It is the common base for a classic gin cocktail.
One of the key hallmarks of London Dry is its heavy juniper taste.
Plymouth Gin
By law, Plymouth Gin can only be made in Plymouth England.
There is only one distillery that currently produces it.
Plymouth gin has strong citrus notes and a spicy finish.
It is softer than its compatriot London Dry gin.
Strong earthy notes down the flavor of juniper berries.
Sloe Gin
It is also the only liqueur that is legally allowed to be called gin.
The flavor profile of sloe gin depends on the ingredients used.
Top-quality brands have a solid plummy taste with an earthy feel.
Unlike most gins, sloe gin has a much sweeter finish.
The lower-end brands are often overly sweet.
Unlike regular gins, sloe gin tends to have a lower ABV of 25%.
Giving themselves more too for experimentation.
Most brands use botanical ingredients that Americans find flavorsome and familiar.
Common flavors include citrus fruits like grapefruit, orange, and lemon.
Barrel-Aged Gin (Cask-Aged Gins)
Barrel-aged gins undergo a maturation period just like whiskeyand wine.
Cask-aged gins are made using other botanical flavors like Juniper, fruit, and spices.
However, its predominant flavor profile is of the barrels used (oak or ash).
You will also notice some nutty, spicy, or vanilla notes.
Generally, Japanese gins have a crisp, floral and citrusy flavor profile.
Old Tom Gin
Old Tom Gin originally known as bathtub gin was named for its early homebrew origins.
Since then, the brand has become far more dependable and popular.
Moving away from bathtubs it is now a professionally distilled gin brand.
It is a strong gin, more robust than London Dry.
It is the best gin for making pre prohibition cocktails.
Genever
Genever is the forefather of modern gin with specific regional denominations.
The liquor can only be produced in Belgium and Holland or particular regions in Germany and France.
Genever is made from malt wine (distilled corn, malted barley, and rye).
See Also:Types of Whiskey You Should Know
Genever is aromatic and sweet.
It has fresh, piney flavors with hints of spice and yeast.
Navy Strength Gin
Any spirit with at least 57.1% ABV can be termed navy strength.
To stop gin from being watered down and therefore less effective, they devised a test using gunpowder.
The result was a much stronger gin than was available elsewhere.
Looking for something else to drink?
Check out our primer on8 Essential Types of Liquor
