Gin: The Spirit Having Its Renaissance Moment

Ten years ago, gin was your grandmother's drink. Today it is the spirit of choice for a new generation of drinkers who love botanical complexity and the explosion of craft distilling.

What Makes Gin, Gin?

By definition, gin must be flavoured primarily with juniper berries. Everything else — citrus, coriander, angelica, cucumber, rose petals — is up to the distiller. This freedom has produced extraordinary variety.

The Main Styles

• London Dry — classic, dry, juniper-forward. Think Tanqueray and Gordon's.
• Contemporary / New Western — juniper takes a backseat to other botanicals. More floral or fruity.
• Navy Strength — bottled at 57%+ ABV. Intensely flavoured and powerful.
• Old Tom — slightly sweeter, a bridge between dry gin and genever.
• Sloe Gin — gin infused with sloe berries. Sweet, fruity, lower ABV.

The Perfect G&T

50ml gin, 150ml premium tonic (Fever-Tree or Schweppes), large ice cubes (they melt slower), a garnish that complements the gin's botanicals. Serve in a large balloon glass.