The only Plymouth Gin in the Land... (Plymouth Gin)

Member Name: hukerjohn1

Product:	Plymouth Gin
Date:	04/06/08 (485 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Perfectly balanced, well priced Gin

Disadvantages: Doesn't have that "Je ne sais quoi"

Plymouth Gin
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The Plymouth gin distillery is located in an old Monastery that was built in 1431 by Black Friars. The distillery is one the oldest of its kind with records of alcohol production dating back to 1697, but it was 1793 when the distilling business for Plymouth gin was started.


--Gin History--

Gin originated in (properly - it is believed that Juniper based spirits go back the the 12th century but were used for medicinal purposes) Holland in the 17th century and was discovered by the English when fighting alongside the Dutch in war. The Dutch used to do shots before going into battle and this is where the term "Dutch courage" originates from.

The idea of Gin was then brought back to England and due to heavy import taxes and high beer prices people started to make gin themselves, often in bathtubs and whatever else was available. By 1740 gin was out producing beer six times over so the government introduced the gin act which caused rioting so had to abolish it then reinstated it in 1751. The gin act at the time stated that if you could see the persons face who was selling the gin a tax had to be imposed. This was overcome by one particular chap who made a hole in his wall through which he could pass the gin and receive payment. He painted a picture of a Tom Cat on the wall and this is where the name "Tom Gin" came from. Tom gin is sweeter than gin is today but a very good gin liqueur called Haymans 1820 tastes very similar. Incidentally the cocktail called "Tom Collins" is made with Tom gin (a Tom Collins is a variation of a drink invented in London called the "John Collins" which is made with vodka).

Although London Gin can be distilled anywhere in the world Plymouth Gin can only be distilled in Plymouth.

Plymouth have several other gins including Damson gin, Sloe gin and Navy strength gin. Navy strength gin is 57% and this is because only alcohol 57% or stronger can be spilt on gunpowder for it still to fire.


--Plymouth Gin Botanicals--

Juniper berries from Italy and the former Yugoslavia, lemon and orange peel from Spain, orris root from Italy, angelica root from all over Europe, cardamom pods from the Far East and Coriander seeds from Russia, Eastern Europe and Morocco.

Each of these botanicals gives the gin its own subtleties and flavours:

Juniper berries - The main ingredient in all standard gins.
Lemon peel - Enhances the dryness of the gin whilst adding a crisp and refreshing nose and flavour.
Orange peel - Uses oranges with a sweet rind to add a sweetness to the gin.
Orris root - The root of the Iris plant adds an earthy note and length to the nose.
Angelica root - Also adds an earthy note but also makes the gin a little dryer.
Cardamom pods - Add a warm, aromatic spice.
Coriander - The coriander enhances the citrus flavours of the lemon and orange whilst adding a little peppery note.


--Tasting Notes--

-Colour-

The colour of Plymouth gin, as with most, is clear.

-Nose-

When nosing the spirit I can smell initially the fruitiness of the Juniper, lemon and orange. The second smell to come through is the spicyness of the coriander and it finishes on a subtle earthy smell.

The overall smell is very rounded and well balanced. It is less predominantly fruity than other gins.

A good tip for when nosing drinks is to smell the back of your hand when changing between drinks. This action cleanses the palette ensuring that there is little residual smell from the previous spirit or otherwise in your nose.


-Taste-

Plymouth gin has a very long finish. This is part of the reason why many people find it difficult to drink gin. Vodka has a very short finish which means that the flavour lingers on the tongue for a very small amount of time but the flavour of gin on the other hand tends to stay with you for a good while longer.

Plymouth gin is also very creamy. When swilling around the mouth I notice that the gin is smooth and the flavour doesn't change with time.

If you want to properly taste the gin the best way to do so is to pour 1 part gin to 1 part of chilled mineral water and all of the individual flavours of the botanicals will be released.


-Overall Balance-

I always find that Plymouth gin tastes like Plymouth gin. It is remarkably well balanced and smooth. It works perfectly as sipping gin and also as a mixing gin.


--Cocktail Suggestions--


-Classic Cocktails-

-Gin Martini

2 Measures of Plymouth Gin
Dry Vermouth (Such as Noilly Prat)

Stir in a shaker with lots of ice. Very little Vermouth provides a dry Martini whereas extra makes the Martini wet. Garnish with an olive, some lemon or lime rind, a pickled onion or anything else you fancy...

-Negroni

1 measure gin
1 measure Campari
1 measure Sweet Vermouth

Build in a Whisky tumbler with plenty of ice and garnish with the rind of an orange.


-Contemporary Cocktails-

-Bloomsbury

2 Measures Plymouth gin
1 Measure Sauvignon Blanc
½ Measure of Freshly squeezed Lemon juice
Dash Apple Juice
½ an apple
8-10 grapes
Dash of Gomme syrup

Muddle the grapes with the apple and sugar. Add the gin, lemon juice and sauvignon blanc. Shake and double strain into a Collins glass. Top up with apple (if needs be) and garnish with a small bunch of grapes of some sort of crazy apple shape...

-Basil Faulty (This is one of my own...)

2 measures Plymouth Gin
8 basil leaves
½ measure lemon juice
½ measure Xante (Pear liqueur)
Dash Angostura bitters
4 measures pineapple juice
Gomme sugar syrup to taste

Shake all ingredients in a boston shaker with ice. Serve on cubed ice in a Tom Collins glass and garnish with a Basil leaf float.


Or why not just have a gin and tonic!


--Personal Opinion--

I think that Plymouth gin is a beautifully balanced gin that works well in many different cocktails, as a sipping drink or as a gin and tonic. In a gin and tonic I would serve it with either a good wedge of lemon or a couple of wedges of fresh lime and ideally a bottle of fever tree tonic water.

It's not my favourite of all gins but certainly better than the likes of Bombay Sapphire, Gordons, Beefeater , Seagrams and the like. I'd have it at par with Blackwoods and Tanqueray but I just adore Martin Millers gin and Hendricks gin.

Overall I think it's a 4/5 because I can't fault it but it just doesn't have that something special.


--Price--

A bottle of Plymouth gin will set you back about £10.98 in Asda.
If you want to know more about Plymouth gin just check out the website, Plymouthgin.com, or if you want some cocktail suggestions or a bartender for the night just drop me a message!

John.

Summary: Excellent for the money