Gin brands & types

Gin is a clear alcoholic spirit made by distilling fermented grain with botanicals for flavoring. Some gins brands that are infused have a slight hue. It is redistilled with natural botanical most noticeable and predominant being juniper and must be present by law. The distillers have the freedom to add any other natural botanical to achieve a desired taste and aroma for specific types of gins. They can add different spices, leaves, fruits, and flowers to add gin complexity. Gins have flavors ranging from floral, citrus to fruity, and are usually bottled at 80 to 90 proof (40-45% ABV). Gin beverage has evolved from being herbal medicine to a liquor cherished by many today with broad styles and flavor profiles.

Gin is an English translation of Dutch word for 'juniper,' which is 'jenever.' Gin is made similar to Vodka, and some people refer to it as botanical flavored Vodka because it is distilled with botanic. It is made from neutral alcohol delivered from grain, but some are produced from grapes, sugar beets, or molasses. Grain spirits are preferred because it gives the gin a crisper texture. Molasses-based spirits can give an impression of softness and sweetness.

Gin was originally a Dutch and Belgian liquor and was used for medicinal purposes. The Dutch distillers improved what was being sold in pharmacies by redistilling malt spirit with juniper and other spices to unmask its bad flavor. In Holland, the British army stationed there took notice of this drink from Dutch soldiers who drunk the juniper-flavored liquor to boost their morale before heading into battle. This created the term 'Dutch Courage.' In the 17th century, British soldiers took with them back to England the idea of making and drinking gin.

Gin became a very popular drink when William III (William of Orange) took the throne in England and led a Glorious Revolution. The government allowed unlicensed gin production and subsequently imposed a heavy duty on all imported liquor such as French brandy. This created a large market for gin leading to thousands of gin-shops springing up throughout England, a period known as the Gin Craze. The gin prices became low and affordable, and gin drinks started to be consumed even by the poor. Gin production in England was easy, which combined with low prices, and the king who supported the spirit to give gin a strong foothold in England.

The Parliament passed an act that regulated Gin production in pot stills. This native gin Dutch or Belgian gin (jenever or genever), evolved from malt wine spirits, to later distinctly different gin styles. Column still was invented for distilling neutral spirit, which led to the creation of the famous London Dry style gin. Gin today is produced in different ways and is flavored with a wide range of botanicals/herbal ingredients, giving rise to gin's different styles and brands. Today, gin drink is one of the most popular spirits in Kenya and the world with a broad category of types making its mark in every country that consumes alcohol. It has a wide variety of styles, origins, and flavors. There are three main way of flavoring gin;

Pot Distilled Gin

The oldest way to make a gin and most early gin was made using this process. In this process, distill fermented grain known as the 'mash' (malt wine), is redistilled with botanicals and other spices to impart flavour. This gin has a bold and distinct flavor.

Column Distilled Gin

This is the most commonly used process. The botanicals are put in a suspended basket in a pot still, allowing flavors extraction as the heat from the base spirit vapor rises and is forced through the botanicals. Once condensed to a liquid, this spirit retains most of the botanical flavors leading to concentrated spirit with a more delicate and subtle flavor.

Compound Gin

This process is not often used and is the cheapest way of flavouring gin. This method simply requires flavors to be infused in the neutral spirit without redistilling it.

Some popular types of gin are;

• London dry gin
• Plymouth gin
• Old tom gin
• Genever gin
• International style or New American Style

Gin goes well when consumed as a mixed drink, most popular being Gin and Tonic. It is also used as a base liquor to make classic cocktails and to produce flavoured gin-based liqueurs such as Sloe gin. Gin is a great spirit to spice your occasion. Get yourself a bottle of gin by buying online on drinks zone, drinks delivery Nairobi and enjoy the best gin prices in Kenya and most pleasant shopping experience. We have a wide variety of gin brands to broaden your choice. Dial a delivery Kenya for your favorite gin brand and enjoy quickest, free gin delivery Nairobi, wine, and spirit delivery Nairobi and other drinks delivery Nairobi. Have fun!