Gin-focussed cocktail menus, gin appreciation sessions, botanicals adorning countertops of bars, the emergence of homegrown artisanal gins — if you haven’t paid heed yet, let us break it to you dear readers that we are in the midst of a gin-volution. The renewed enthusiasm surrounding gin has put the spotlight back on Tom Collins, Gimlets, Martinis, Negronis, and Gintos. Whilst labels like Hendrick’s, Tanqueray, Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire, and Gordon’s have been occuping meaty spaces on bar shelves over the years, say hello to the gins that you must sip and make note of.
Greater Than
Made in India, this classic London Dry gin from Nao Spirits, is India’s first craft gin. The sleekly bottled Greater Than gin is copper pot distilled with botanicals procured from India and across the globe. The nose detects juniper and lemon peel, while ginger adds zing to this gin positioned to be a pouring brand in bars across the country.
Currently available in Goa and Bengaluru. Hitting shelves across Delhi & Mumbai soon.
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin
The amber-hued bottle from Germany’s Black Forest sealed with a cork houses a coherent spirit, bearing an unrivalled complexity. The nose inhales the fragrance of juniper combined with grassiness and earthiness that gets enhanced by crisp citrus and spices when you sip this gem. With 120 test distillates and 47 different ingredients, Monkey 47 was crowned World’s Best Gin in the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2011.
Hapusa
The world’s first Himalayan dry gin boasts of Himalayan juniper berries called Hapusa which are coupled with botanicals such as dried mango, coriander seeds, turmeric, ginger, and gondhoraj lime. The perfectly balanced gin (also from Nao Spirits) brings a pine forest to the nose and lands with wildflowers and a bold earthiness on the palate. The bold and smooth tipple exhibits spicy, floral, and citrus notes, with fruity and herbal undertones.
Currently available in Goa. Hitting shelves across Delhi & Mumbai soon.
Stranger & Sons, @arth_gintended; Greater Than
Jodhpur Gin
Jodhpur London Dry gin borrows inspiration from the ‘city of blue’, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The interplay of bitter, fresh, and sweet notes fused with aromatic spices and a citrus scent, can be attributed to the 13 botanicals that go into the making of this gin that undergoes four distillations. The masterful bottling process makes the pleasing and elegant Jodhpur gin retain its aromatic integrity.
The Botanist
The artisanal Islay Dry gin is made using 22 locally foraged botanicals such as chamomile, elder, heather, hawthorn, mugwort, tansy, and wild thyme, et al. Besides, nine core gin botanicals and a slow distillation of 17 hours gives The Botanist a distinctive flavour, free of added essences or flavourings.
Stranger & Sons
The soon-to-be-launched homegrown gin, Stranger & Sons is the brainchild of Sakshi Saigal, Rahul Mehra, and Vidur Gupta. The bottle, which has ingredients spelt out in Hindi, carries a teasing punchline that says ‘Rather Peculiar Botanicals’. Distilled in Ponda (Goa), Stranger & Sons has botanicals such as mace, coriander, nutmeg, cassia bark, angelica, liquorice, and pepper that complement the flavour of juniper.
Whilst you’re at it, if you happen to discover some hidden gems don’t forget to holler at editorial@dssc.co
Feature Image Courtesy: turntablekitchen.com
