Gin Magazine

This will either come as a predictable statement from a “creative”, or as a shock for someone who makes a living writing about distilling, but: I’ve never been very good at science. I got decent grades in scientific subjects at high school, but would put that down to my ability to regurgitate information in a test rather than solid understanding of that information (sorry, all my former science teachers). The finer details, such as formulae for experiments in physics or chemistry, just seemed to bounce around in my brain then float right out, like steam out of a kettle. This is not to say that I don’t find science interesting – I do. It would be difficult not to be fascinated by those actions and reactions through which the universe functions,…

As I write this, I am 30,000 feet in the air on my first transatlantic trip of the year and, in the name of research, I have a drink in hand: a Red Snapper. Both the Red Snapper and its vodka equivalent – the Bloody Mary – are in-air favourites for many a seasoned traveller. This is to do with the effect that airplane travel has on our senses. There are three ways that flying impacts our senses of taste and smell: air pressure, lower humidity, and noise. In general, our sense of taste is lessened when in flight, and our abilities to detect sugar and salt are affected the most. This is why airline food tends to be more heavily seasoned, and also why the combination of gin (or vodka)…

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, celebrates 70 years on the throne in 2022. Gin is said to be one of Her Majesty’s favourite tipples, so it is fitting that gin distillers are participating in her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which are taking place between 2 and 5 June. Here are a few special releases to look out for: Cotswolds Platinum Jubilee Gin is inspired by classic English summer desserts and includes strawberry, raspberry and pink peppercorns. The dark glass bottle is adorned with a label coloured in purple – a traditional colour of the monarchy – and silver. Tasting notes from the distillery say the gin has notes of jammy red fruit, juniper, fresh grapefruit, pink pepper, and vanilla. It is available to purchase from May from Majestic Wine, with a…

After a couple of scaled-back years thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, World Gin Day is set to return in full force on Saturday, 11 June. Organised by the Gin Monkey (a.k.a. Emma Stokes, Icons of Gin 2022 Communicator of the Year), the event is a global celebration of all things gin. Brands, bars and gin drinkers are encouraged to get involved. While, at the time of going to press, a full calendar of events is yet to be announced, seeing what your favourite brands have done to celebrate in previous years can give you a flavour of what to expect. Some distillers may open their doors for a behind-the-scenes look at how they create their gins. Perhaps your local distillery is organising a special tasting, a food pairing, or a celebratory…

Bombay Sapphire is paying homage to a classic gin cocktail, the Tom Collins, in a new gin: Bombay Citron Pressé. This distilled gin captures the aroma and flavour of zesty, hand-picked Mediterranean lemons in a natural fruit infusion which is blended with the brand’s vapour-distilled London Dry Gin and bottled without added sugar. Bombay Sapphire says that the new expression plays into the growing trend for at-home cocktail making. It follows the launch of the Bacardi-owned distillery’s first flavoured gin, Bombay Bramble, in 2020, which is inspired by and named after another popular gin cocktail. Bombay Citron Pressé is the brand’s second recent release celebrating the humble lemon. Premier Cru Murcian Lemon, a new innovation from Bombay Sapphire master distiller Dr Anne Brock and master of botanicals Ivano Tonutti, launched in October 2021…

It’s a wet and blustery day in Girvan, southwest Scotland, with the UK caught between fierce Atlantic storms, but our group has found a mercifully dry half hour to visit the beach. I’m walking with Lesley Gracie, Hendrick’s master distiller, and her elderly but sprightly golden retriever, Jock. She’s telling me the story of how she came to be one of the most well-respected people in gin distilling (although she’d never phrase it like that): after starting a career in pharmaceuticals, she moved to Scotland with her husband and accepted a job in quality control at William Grant & Sons. A decade later, in 1999, she was approached by the company’s owner, Charlie Gordon, to make a gin that stood out from others on the market. The rest, as they…