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Archive for the ‘Gin’ Category

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Review: Empire London Dry Gin (Highwood Distillers)

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 14, 2020

The Highwood Distillery is the only locally (Albertan) owned major distillery in Canada. It sits in the town of High River, Alberta, which lies just about 40 minutes due south of Calgary, at the foot of the Rocky Mountain. The distillery producing more than 300,000 cases of bottled spirits per year. Although the bulk of their production goes towards Vodka, Flavoured Vodka, and Premixes, they also produce a sizable (and growing) amount of Whisky and Gin each year.

Empire Gin is the company’s premium traditional style London Dry Gin. It is produced by blending a light-bodied vodka spirit with juniper and the distillery’s own special botanical selection of natural herbs, spices and citrus. These botanicals are introduced during the final distillation, and the final spirit is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my refreshed review:

Review: Empire London Dry Gin

“… We have a floral bouquet of coriander and citrus elements (in particular orange and lime; but also some grapefruit zest and hints of lemon). I also sense a firm juniper aroma with a mix of flowery herbs, building black licorice and a hint of mint and in the breezes above the glass …”

Please enjoy this refreshed review with updated photos and scoring. And do enjoy the cocktail suggestions which accompany the review.

Chimo!

Posted in Gin, Gin Review | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

Review: Tanqueray No.10 Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on July 7, 2020

Tanqueray Gin was originally produced by Charles Tanqueray in London, England in 1830 at the Bloomsbury Distillery. The distillery prospered through the nineteenth century; but after being in production for over one hundred years, it was almost destroyed in the bombing raids of World War II by the German air force. One still survived, and this still affectionately called “Old Tom” was moved to the new facilities in Cameron Scotland where Tanqueray gin is currently produced.

Tanqueray No. 10, is produced through a quadruple distillation process with the botanicals infused prior to the fourth distillation. Rather than using only the citrus peel for their infusion, Tanqueray 10 is instead made with the whole fruit. Thus entire grapefruits, oranges and limes are used along with juniper, angelica, coriander, licorice and chamomile in the production of the No. 10 Gin. It is named for the “Tiny Ten” still, from which all of the No. 10 Gin is distilled, and is considered the most premium gin in the Tanqueray line up. Tanqueray No. 10 is bottled at 47.3% alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my refreshed review:

Review: Tanqueray No.10  Gin

“… The breezes above the glass bring light juniper smells which remind me reminds me of the scents and smells of spruce and pine trees which I encounter when I go camping in the forests of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There are some sweet floral notes which are hard to identify (probably some chamomile in there); but the floral character combines well with the citrus aromas of lime and grapefruit (especially the grapefruit) …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with two serving suggestions, a Traditional Gin Martini, and a simple Gin and Lime Cocktail.

Chimo!

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Review: Tanqueray Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 30, 2020

Tanqueray Gin was originally produced by Charles Tanqueray in London, England in 1830 at the Bloomsbury Distillery. The distillery prospered through the nineteenth century; but after being in production for over one hundred years, it was badly damaged in the bombing raids of World War II by the German air force. One still survived, and this still affectionately called “Old Tom” was moved to the new facilities in Cameron, Scotland where Tanqueray gin is currently produced.

Tanqueray Gin, is a London Dry Gin distilled four times with the botanicals infused prior to the fourth distillation. According to the Tanqueray website, juniper, coriander, angelica root and licorice are the four major botanicals used in the gin’s construction. The spirit is bottled at different proofs for different regional markets.

Here is a link to my full review:

Review: Tanqueray Gin

“… Tanqueray Gin has a very obvious juniper flavour which comes forward in the initial delivery; yet the bitterness which so often accompanies juniper seems to be for the most part, absent. Instead, there is a soft lemony sweetness melding into that juniper flavour giving the gin an approachability I was not expecting. Light citric spices add a mild effervescence, and a soft earthy flavour reminiscent of damp soil or humus seems to lie underneath supporting the melded flavours of juniper, lemon and spice …”

Please enjoy my review which includes two serving suggestions, the Gin and Toni (with Lemon) and the Gin Martini.

Chimo!

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Review: The London No. 1 Original Blue Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 23, 2020

London No. 1 Original Blue Gin is a product of Gonzalas Byass who are a Spanish wine/cellars company which also produces a variety of distilled spirits including brandy, anisette, botanical vodka and of course gin. Their gin is triple distilled (from English grain in London, England) on a traditional pot still in small batches.

According to the London No. 1 website the gin is distilled with 12 key botanicals which include: Juniper, Angelica root , Savory, Coriander, Cassia bark, Licorice, Cinnamon, Almond, Lemon peel, Orange peel, Lily root and Bergamot.

The product was first test marketed in Spain, and was then launched in limited quantities internationally in 2012. It is bottled at 47 % alcohol by volume ensuring a more concentrated flavour than more traditional spirits which are bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

Here is a link to my fresh new look at London No. 1 Original Blue Gin:

Review: The London No. 1 Original Blue Gin

“… This is perplexing. I sampled London No. 1 Blue Gin about eight years ago, and according to my review I quite liked it. This time around, the only portion of the review which scores as well (actually a little better) is the bottle. It is the perfume-like quality of the gin which I do not find nearly so attractive this time around …”

Please enjoy my review which concludes with my serving suggestion, the Blue Pegu.

Chimo!

 

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Review: Bombay Sapphire Gin

Posted by Arctic Wolf on June 16, 2020

Bombay Sapphire Gin is distributed by Bacardi. It was launched in 1987 and draws its unusual name from a competition where several marketing agencies were asked to submit possible names and bottle designs for the new Gin. Bombay Sapphire, the chosen name, refers to the British Empire and India heritage for the spirit in India, as gin was an extremely popular spirit during the time of the British Raj. The Star of Bombay (featured on the label) is a famous Indian Sapphire now on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

Bombay Sapphire is a London Dry Gin. This style of gin is produced through a double distillation of a neutral grain spirit with botanicals added during the second distillation. Botanicals include, almonds, lemon peel, grains of paradise, licorice, juniper berries, orris root, angelica root, coriander seeds, cassia bark, and cubeb berries.

Here is a link to my review:

Review: Bombay Sapphire Gin

“… The flavours of piny juniper and bright citrus zest lead out as they should. Oranges, maraschino cherries, and lemons seem to dance weave in and out of the flavour stream. A light but firm floral note and soft earthy licorice softens the juniper …”

Please enjoy my review which conclude with my suggested service, What Rough Beast.

Chimo!

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