Gin Flashcards
Main botanical flavor component in gin
Juniper
Most popular and widely distributed style of gin
London Dry Gin
Minimum ABV of US gin
40%/80 Proof
5 approved methods of production for US gin
- Distillating from fermented mash
- Redistillation from neutral spirits
- Soaking botanicals in neutral spirit
- Combing neutral spirit with botanical oils and essences
- Blending neutral spirit and gin
Minimum ABV of EU gin
37.5%/75 Proof
Sub-category of gin in both the US and EU
Distilled gin
Dutch physician credited with the popularization of gin
Dr. Franciscus Sylvius
Dates of King William the 3rd reign and his significance
1689-1702
King William raised duties and taxes on French liquor, and lowered taxes on English spirits, incentivizing English distilleries to make their own gin
Dates of England’s “Gin Craze”
1720-1751
The second most widely used botanical for flavoring gin
coriander
the seed of a plant also known as Chinese Parsley
coriander
A flowering plant also known as ‘sweet flag’
calamus
Name 5 seeds used in the production of gin
aniseed, caraway, cardamom, cacoa, coriander, juniper berry, vanilla
Name 5 herbs used in the production of gin
angelica, chamomile, hyssop, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage
Name the 3 barks used in the production of gin
cassia, cinnamon, quinine
Name the 4 roots used in the production of gin
fennel, ginger, licorice root, orris root
Name 4 other botanicals used in the production of gin
almond, calamus, clove, gentian
Describe the appearance of Angelica, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- A tall, flowering herb
2. earthy, wood-like, celeryish
An herb that is often candied and used as culinary decoration
Angelica
Botanical description of calamus, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- A semi-aquatic flowering plant
2. often used as a substitute for ginger, cinnamon, or nutmeg
Botanical description of cardamom, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- the seedpods of a variety of plants in the ginger family
2. smoky, mint, camphor, floral, resinous, grapefruit
Botanical description of cassia, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- the spice made from the trees related to ‘true’ Sri Lanka cinnamon
- cinnamon, resin, pungent
Botanical description of coriander, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- seed of the cilantro plant
2. peppery, spicy, citrus
Botanical description of gentian, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- the root of a small plant that produces trumpet-shaped flowers
- very bitter and aromatic
Botanical description of hyssop, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- herb native to southern EU and the middle east
2. herbal, minty, bitter
Botanical description of juniper berry, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- seed cone of Evergreen trees
2. clean, pine-like aroma, floral notes
Botanical description of orris root, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- dried root of the iris flower
2. floral, violet, raspberry. Often used for potpourri
Botanical description of quinine, as well as it’s aroma/flavor
- a chemical that occurs naturally in the bark of the cinchona tree
- bitter, clean, medicinal
Mesh tray sometimes used in the production of distilled gin
Gin head
Original name for a still containing a gin head
Carter Head Still
EU definition of London Dry Gin
a distilled gin that contains less than 0.1g/L of sugar
Historic name for the Plymouth Gin Distillery
Black Friars Distillery
PGI gin produced in Spain, as well as the island it’s produced on
Gin de Mahon; Menorca
PGI gin of Lithuania and year awarded
Vilnius gin; 2008
How did the “Gin Craze” start?
English monarchy allowed for unlicensed gin production to masses, which tripled consumption of distilled spirits
What was a dram shop?
Precursor to the modern bar; dram shops sold gin to patron or packaged it to go
Describe the production and flavor of Gin de Mahon
- White wine is distilled into brandy and then re-distilled with aged juniper and other botanicals using a copper pot still. It is then aged in oak.
- Flavor is juniper forward, clean, and slightly smoky
Describe the production and flavor of Vilnius Gin
- Vilnius gin is made by a single distillery in Lithuania. It is flavored with coriander, dill, and orange (in addition to juniper).
- Bottled at 45% ABV
What is the history of Old Tom Gin?
- A sweeter style of gin predominant in the 1800s; popular in England and US
- Dudley Bradstreet sold gin illegally from his house in London. He had a large sign in the shape of a cat outside, and a pipe led from its paw back to the house. Deposit coin in cats mouth, receive gin from paw.
