Whether it’s in the sophisticated Negroni, the refreshing Craft Distilled Gin or the classic Gimlet, gin is one of the most versatile spirits. But it’s the flavours of the botanicals that really distinguish craft gins and give drinkers a whole new experience. But it’s not just the variety of gin that’s booming, it’s also the range of distillation methods and aging techniques being used by small producers.
Craft Distilled Gin
To make gin, the neutral spirit is steeped in a mix of ingredients. There are many different ways to do this but the key ingredient is juniper berries. These are tart and sharp with a resinous pine and citrus flavour. They are what defines a gin as a juniper based spirit and are essential to the recipe.
Coriander seeds are earthy and sweet, with a floral aroma that balances the sharpness of juniper. They are commonly added to gin recipes along with angelica root, cinnamon and citrus peel. Others include bay leaves, licorice powder, vanilla, cardamom and fennel seeds. All of these ingredients add different flavours and aromas to the gin.
Despite the recent gin revival it’s still relatively rare for small gin makers to produce their own base spirit as opposed to purchasing it in bulk from another supplier. However, this is changing. The likes of Lone Wolf, Ramsbury Gin and William Chase have started to produce their own distilled grain which gives them the ability to demonstrate an agricultural provenance for their gin and the quality of their production process.