Gin Flashcards
What is gin?
A neutral spirit flavored with juniper berries as well as a range of other herbs, spices, roots, flowers, seeds and/or leaves.
What is Gin de Mahon?
A gin produced in Menorca (Spanish Baleoric Island). A white wine spirit - redistilled in wood fired copper pot. Aged in oak. Has a GI designation.
Who are some producers of Old Tom Gin?
Hayman Distillery (England)
Ransom Spirits (US - Oregon)
What is Old Tom Gin?
The predominant style of gin in the mid 1800s. Slightly sweet, seeing a resurgence for use in craft cocktails.
What is Plymouth Gin?
A gin produced in Plymouth, England that is distinctive due to its full body, fruity aromas. Very aromatic - an example is Black Friars.
What are some leading brands of London Dry Gin?
Beefeater
Tanqueray
Bombay Dry
Sapphire
Gordons
Describe London Dry Gin.
Has less than 1 gram of sugar per liter, no added flavoring, clean, juniper berry flavor, light, dry, and crisp.
What is a compound gin?
Gin made by mixing neutral spirits with natural extracts/flavoring.
What is cold distillation of gin?
The use of lowering air pressure to lower the boiling point. Can be macerated with no heat, makes for a more intense/fresh flavor.
What is redistillation of gin?
A mash is distilled, and then cut with water. It is distilled again with added botanicals. It may steep with the botanicals prior to redistillation.
What is a distilled gin?
A sub-category of gin produced by original distillation or redistillation.
What is original distillation of gin also known as?
Direct Distillation
What is original distillation?
Fermented mash is distilled with juniper berries and other botanicals in a “gin head”. Vapors pass through the gin head, flavoring the distillate.
What is cold compounding in gin production?
Crushed botanicals are added to a base of neutral spirits and left to soak for a week or more, sometimes in mesh bags
What is the essential oils method of compound distillation of gin?
Essential oils are added to a neutral spirit, blended, and left to rest for a week.
What are some anise flavored spirits?
Rakii
Arak
Absinthe
Pernod
Pastis
Herbsaint
Ouzo
What are some juniper flavored spirits other than gin?
Steinhäger
Genever
Wacholder
What is the second most commonly used botanical in gin?
Coriander
What are the main styles of gin?
London Dry Gin
Plymouth Gin
Old Tom Gin
Gin de Mahón
Vilnius Gin
Flavored Gins
What is the dominant flavor of gin?
Juniper berry
What product is used for the neutral spirit base for gin?
Can be any neutral spirit, but a mash of cereal grain is most common.
Who was Fanciscus Sylvius?
A Dutch physician often credited with the invention of gin.
When was the gin craze in London?
1720-1751
What are some anise flavored plants?
Star Anise
Green Anise
Fennel
Licorice Root
What is anethole?
A flavor compound that has a licorice-like aroma and flavor.
What is Brennerei Everbusch
One of the oldest operating wacholder distilleries located in Hagen, Germany.
What is Wacholder?
A classic German juniper flavored spirit. Mainly found in North Rhine - Westphalia.
Where may Genever be produced under the GI standards?
Netherlands
Belgium
2 Departments in France (Nord and Pas-de-Calais)
Some areas in Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony
What are the two most common sub categories of Genever?
Oude (old) and Jonge (Young)
What are the differences between Oude and Jonge Genever?
It describes the style of the genever, not the aging requirements. Oude must contain a minimum 15% malt spirit and is straw colored and relatively sweet. Jonge is drier and lighter in body, and may not contain more than 15% malt spirit.