Gin O'Clock

Beer, cider, vodka and whisky have all experienced revivals in recent years and unless you've been hiding you'll have noticed that the Gin business hasn't simply had a revival, it's evolved as a multi million booming business.

A New Image

Gin is not a fast drink, it's not a shot glass filler but it does quietly fill several well known cocktails. Gin is now regarded as an alternative to vodka mixers, alcopops and even wine too. It's shaking off it's elitist 'James Bond' image to slowly and steadily engage us with this stylish, aromatic and classy artisan drink.

Choice

Two hundred years ago, there were over a hundred officially recognised distilleries in Ireland and by the turn of this century there were just two. The Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) stated that in 2014 Ireland had 4 distilleries and expects there to be 30 more by the end of 2018.

We counted over 30 Irish branded Gin bottles and we're not alone with Wales, Scotland and England also engaging in this evolving industry. The choice of Gins has expanded dramatically and the shelf of the off licence and bar could easily gain a new artisan bottle regularly.

What is Gin

There are several ways to produce this clear liquor that we commonly refer to as Gin, London Dry Gin, Contemporary Gin, Modern Gin, Navy Gin ....... there are a few variations and essentially they all contain a neutral spirit and juniper berries.

Perhaps the most famous is LONDON DRY GIN which must be a neutral spirit flavoured with Juniper, not contain any artificial flavours or colourings, uses only water, neutral grain spirit and sugar together with other botanicals added and presented at EU 37.5%abv or US 40% abv.

Juniper Berries

Don't eat these! Of the roughly 40 species of juniper, a small number are poisonous and a majority have bitter fruits. Only a few yield edible berries (actually modified cones) and only one is routinely used for flavoring.

Abundant choice

If Gin is fundamentally a clear neutral grain spirit that has been flavoured with Juniper berries it provides countless possibilities given the array of botanical ingredients that can be added.

Just like selecting a wine, once you've identified an ingredient you like then you can try another similar bottle. It's more difficult with Gin since there's several botanical ingredients in each to make each brand distinct. Clear examples are the Smoky Tea (Gunpowder), Cucumber essence (Hendrix), Red Berries (Gordon's Pink)....... each can be quite unique.

Artisan bottles and brands are now coming forward in small bottles and smaller batches that bring hefty shelf prices and slightly higher %abv. These could be drunk neat without a mixer and would start to be compared with the whisky market.

Who's drinking it?

Navan does not yet have a dedicated Gin Bar. To host one we'd expect to see hundreds of international bottles to gain the title. In the meantime we popped into Taylor's of Johnstown to see what they are offering and ask bar manager John O'Brien what the locals are consuming.

Tonic Water

With the exception of whisky, spirits are seldom consumed neat since it would be an expensive night out given the price per shot is very high compared to the volume served.

Schweppes Indian Tonic water has been the long term international market leader even with supermarket own brands in competition. New brands are now contesting and taking a market share: Fever Tree and Thomas Henry being just two recent popular brands.

Tonic water has quinine which gives it a distinct taste which is not to everyone's liking. As a young adult I didn't like Gin & Tonic until I tried a Spanish measure and appreciated that you don't have to drown the Gin. With new artisan Gins having their own distinct taste the competition to provide alternative complementary mixers is fierce.

Glasses

Supersized Red Wine Glasses are today's current trend or the traditional Martini Glass. Both allow a bundle of ice cubes to chill the Gin and allow the aroma to fill the glass.

Toppings

The topping also changes with fashion where once a slice of Lemon held the top position it soon had to contest with Limes and now Grapefruit, Orange, Cucumber, strawberries or even sprigs of herbs like Rosemary have entered the limelight.