StateWays Q www.stateways.com Q July/August 2014 34
A Place
in the
Crowd
StateWays Q www.stateways.com Q July/August 2014 34
Gin producers have been expanding
the variety of their offerings to entice
consumers into giving this fl avorful
spirit a well-earned spot at the table.
By Robert Plotkin
Americans are rediscovering the affordable elegance
and unrivaled complexity of premium gin. Crafted
according to a secret blend of aromatics, every brand is
endowed with an engaging personality as individually
distinctive as DNA, which explains why no two smell
or taste the same. So when gin fanciers say they fancy a
particular gin more than the others, believe them.
"Gin is defi nitely undergoing a reappraisal by trade
and consumers," explains Bob Fowkes, director and co-
founder of Brockmans Gin. "First, the craft brewing
movement is heightening everyone's interest in the
subject of taste. Gin delivers more favorably in that
respect versus say neutral vodka. In addition, the process
and recipe story for gin has a greater degree of interest
and fascination for consumers. Gin tends to be unique
and different and probably resistant to being fl avored
with cake, bubblegum and bacon."
The character differences between the brands lie
in how they're made. The most widely produced type
is London Dry Gin, a term that now refers to a style
rather than a geographical reference. They're produced
in two stages. First, a fermented mash of cereal grains
are distilled in specially designed gin stills. The highly
rectifi ed, neutral spirit is then redistilled with the
introduction of botanicals.
The exact composition of these aromatic ingredients
is a guarded trade secret and essentially distinguishes
one premium brand from another. An exceptional
gin makes its presence immediately known with an
outpouring of fresh, celery-crisp aromas elicited from
botanicals such as juniper berries, citrus peels, herbs,
roots and spice.
The category's bestselling London Dry Gin is made
in the U.S. by the House of Seagram. Distillers since
1857, Seagram's is the only house that takes the extra step
of mellowing its Seagram's Extra Dry Gin in white oak
barrels for added smoothness. The elder statesman of
the portfolio is Seagram's Distiller's Reserve 102 proof, a
stylistically full and vibrant spirit made from select barrel
ROBERT PLOTKIN is a judge at the San Francisco
World Spirits Competition and author of 16 books on
bartending and beverage management including Secrets
Revealed of America's Greatest Cocktails. He can be
reached at www.AmericanCocktails.com or by e-mail at
robert@barmedia.com.
