I’m surprised to read this, because I would think it’s the other way around. Bombay Sapphire has a pleasing floral taste to it that stands out from other gins (and I’ve done a blind taste test of this). I’m not sure how I would characterize Beefeater, though admittedly I don’t have it very often. I do like Plymouth also, though - it’s probably my 2nd favorite. Some people think Plymouth is too strong flavored for a martini, but I disagree.
Lately, I’ve been buying Broker’s Gin. What’s the consensus about it around here?
Oh, I like Broker’s a lot, too. I skeptically bought a bottle of that when it was on sale and it turned out to be great for all purposes. I also like the little hat they put on the bottle.
My favorite two gins:
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The Botanist. Created by Bruichladdich (a pretty solid scotch maker), it uses 22 botanicals only found on the Isle of Islay. Delicious stuff, perfect neat or as part of a gin & tonic. It’s my very favorite gin.
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Hayman’s Old Tom Gin. The bottle describes it as “botanically intensive and delicately sweetened,” which I think is pretty accurate. I like this one a lot.
I’ll also second New Amsterdam, and throw out the Bluecoat, a nice American dry gin. The best thing about being a gin fan is how inexpensive a bottle can be. My other hobby, scotch, isn’t nearly so accommodating!
Depending on my mood/what it’s mixed with, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Hendricks, or something local like Crater Lake Gin.
I like Crater Lake too. It has a nice licorice/anise taste to it.
Beefeater is my go-to.
Lately, though, I fell in love with Barr Hill Gin, a local product that won a bunch of awards and is amazing. I’ll drink it chilled, neat. Probably a little sweet tasting for a martini, but on it’s own it’s a great alcohol.
Me too. Broker’s is good stuff. Boodles is good as well. Both are in that fairly juniper-forward London Dry variant with Beefeater, which is another favorite. Probably the best I’ve had in a very long time though, was Leopold Bros. Navy Strength gin. That was excellent!
If you’re willing to throw out a few bucks, Cadenhead Old Raj is also stellar stuff, especially the 110 proof version, as is Fritz Maytag’s Junipero. Bluecoat is pretty good as well. Believe it or not, the Seagram’s Distiller’s Reserve gin is excellent for the price as well. The Botanist is also excellent.
Plymouth Gin is also very good, although technically it’s own style. It’s not London Dry gin, it’s Plymouth Gin- one of the big 3 British styles- London Dry, Old Tom & Plymouth.
I don’t care for Citadelle, Aviation or Martin Miller’s gin; Citadelle was too earthy tasting- kind of like dirt, Aviation was passable , but had a touch of that dirt flavor, and Martin Miller’s gin was just weird.
this
Hendricks or New Amsterdam.
But I also like this one when I can find it–209
I have a bottle of Ransom Old Tom Gin I’m enjoying quite a bit. I’ve been using it to make Martinez cocktails (using this recipe, but substituting in the Ransom Old Tom and Punt E Mes vermouth).
At home, Seagram’s gin when I feel cheap (which is most of the time) and Bombay Sapphire when I feel like splurging. Although the new Bombay Sapphire East is a nice twist - bits of pepper and lemon grass flavor on top of the usual botanicals. In any case, I drink it neat.
In a restaurant or bar, it’s always Sapphire in a straight-up martini.
I also vote for Tanquerey.
Gin is pretty good.
It’s usually Bombay Sapphire, up, dirty, stinky olives. If it is G&T Appreciation Month, I might go with Seagram’s. I haven’t tried the Sapphire East, or, surprisingly, Beefeater (or a lot of gins in this thread). I wonder if I’d switch allegiances if I tried many brands?
I like Magellan’s. French, Iris flavored gin. Iris! Aesthetically it is similar to Sapphire- blue gin in a clear bottle instead of the other way around. I guess this gin feels a little ‘softer’.
Came here to say this. The Botanist is a favorite of mine for sure.
I also pick up Junipero from the Anchor Steam folks, a well balanced, powerful gin. I have no idea why it doesn’t get more attention.
Ooo… I’m intrigued. Gonna have to look for that next time I’m out at the liquor superstore. I like Bruichladdich’s scotches, so I’m encouraged that they would do a very good job with their gin, too.
My martini go-to is Beefeater. If I’m feeling a little ritzier I’ll go for North Shore Distillery (they have a couple gins, I can never remember which # I prefer unless I’m looking at the bottles).
For G&T, I particularly love Hendricks. Especially with good dry tonic and a couple cucumber slices. Most refreshing drink I’ve ever tasted.
I was brought up with Gordons Gin and Tonic.
There was no other choice.
