Origins of Gin
Gin first originated in the Netherlands in the late 16th century as a medicinal liquor flavored with juniper berries. It was initially called "jenever" and often referred to as "Dutch Courage" or "Dutch gin" when first introduced to England by Dutch traders and Huguenot refugees. Early British gin was sweeter and heavier than the modern variant as sugar and fruit were added for taste.
Growth in Popularity
Gin really took off in Britain in the early 18th century when the government introduced high taxes on imports of French brandy. Combined with a bountiful harvest of juniper berries, this led to a boom in domestic grain spirit production and consumption of genever style gin proliferated across England. The lower classes embraced gin as it was cheaper than beer or ale. However, by the 1720s excessive consumption led to social problems and riots, prompting the government to introduce the Gin Act of 1736 which imposed taxes and licensing to curb .
London Dry Gin Emerges
As taxes and regulations on Gin Report production increased, distillers sought new methods to streamline the distillation process. This led to the development of "London dry gin" - a lighter, cleaner spirit free from added sugar, fruits or botanicals beyond juniper and other spices. By the late 18th century, London dry gin had become the dominant style produced in England. Innovation continued as innovative solvent extraction techniques were pioneered to impart flavor from berries and spices in a single distillation run.
Modern Gin Production Methods
Today, gin is distilled from a grain, usually wheat, barley or rye. This base alcohol is then redistilled with an assortment of botanicals including juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, orris root, licorice, lemon and orange peel, cinnamon, cassia bark, nutmeg, cardamom and almonds.
The precise mixture and preparation of botanicals varies between gin producers to create unique flavor profiles. Most modern distilleries employ either a batch distillation process or a more advanced continuous alcohol still to extract flavors. Solvent extraction remains popular for infusing complex woody notes from ingredients like cinnamon or cassia bark. The spirit is then diluted to bottling strength with purified water.
Popular Gin Styles
London Dry Gin
As the name suggests, London dry gins are the classic British variant. They are distilled just once and have a very light flavor profile focused on juniper with subtle complementary botanicals. Beefeater, Gordon's and Tanqueray are widely known examples of this crisp, dry style.
Navy Strength Gin
Inspired by the potency of early 19th century Royal Navy issued gin rations, these full-bodied styles have a higher alcohol content between 57-62% ABV. More robust juniper and spice flavors are evident. Names like Admiral Rodney's Spiced and Plymouth Naval are representative.
Old Tom Gin
Reminiscent of the sweeter British gin style popular in the 18th-19th centuries before London dry emerged. Old Toms have more caramelized sugar added post-distillation giving richer, slightly syrupy notes with berries and citrus prominent alongside juniper. Ransom and Hayman's are top choices.
Genever
The Dutch precursor to modern gin, genever retains malt wine in the distillate. Smoother and less juniper forward than dry gin with cereal and spice character prominent. Typically gold or aged in color like aged jenever brands like Boomsma and Filliers.
New Western Gins
Innovative American and Australian distilleries are crafting exciting new takes on gin. Botanicals reflect local flora with unique profiles from desert botanicals to native Australian berries. Examples include Aviation from Oregon and Four Pillars from Melbourne.
The Rise of Craft Distilling
The craft distilling renaissance that began in America has significantly impacted the gin industry. Small batch, locally-sourced artisan gins have proliferated showcasing diverse botanical experiments beyond standard recipes. Brands like Hendrick's, Barr Hill and St. George highlight this contemporary movement toward experimentation and unique place-based flavors.
No longer content to rest on tradition, gin continues to evolve as a spirit. Global remains strong as consumer interest in premium craft products and new flavor innovations drives further commercial growth worldwide. The history and versatility of gin ensure its continued popularity for many years to come.
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About Author:
Alice Mutum is a seasoned senior content editor at Coherent Market Insights, leveraging extensive expertise gained from her previous role as a content writer. With seven years in content development, Alice masterfully employs SEO best practices and cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to craft high-ranking, impactful content. As an editor, she meticulously ensures flawless grammar and punctuation, precise data accuracy, and perfect alignment with audience needs in every research report. Alice's dedication to excellence and her strategic approach to content make her an invaluable asset in the world of market insights.
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