Martin Miller's Gin, Original Gin - Super Premium Gin, Icelandic water, Distilled in England - 40 percent ABV 70cl Bottle (0.7L)

Product Information

The gin uses a relatively straightforward list of botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica, orris, cassia, cinnamon, licorice, nutmeg, iris, and Seville orange. Although not officially disclosed, drinkers have long suspected some cucumber essence added post-distillation, owing to the bright cucumber taste present [more on that in a second], but officially nothing is stated as to that regard. The only hint we have is that the bottles have undergone a re-design in the past decade which removed the words “London Dry Gin” from the bottle. [ old vs new]. Since we know the term “London Dry” prohibits the addition of flavors/sweetening above a microscopic signing amount, this may be a suggestion that the hypothesis is not far off. But for now, just know there is indeed an unmistakable cucumber note and no reference to cucumber in the botanical list. Tasting Notes I think this is one fantastic gin, and it still holds up today IMHO. First, it makes such a good Gin and Tonic, and I’m not sure a gin can endure the way this has and become a staple behind so many bars without doing that well. My money’s still on the Westbourne as the superior spirit in all mixing uses, but that’s not to say that doesn’t hold it own. The Martini is really nice as well, though I don’t think it comes through as strongly in things like the Negroni or a Corpse Reviver #2. I think the only thing wrong with this spirit might be that we have the Westbourne Strength to compare it to. Overall This is the signature gin used to make a Sapphire martinias well as the Sapphire alpine. The two blue martinis use blue curaçao to get that beautiful color, and they're a delight to drink.

You cannot miss Bombay Sapphire on the liquor shelf. Its blue bottle has an allure that will catch your eye, though the gin itself is not blue—look to Magellan Gin for that. Aviation is produced in Portland, Oregon, by House Spirits Distillery. It is distilled from neutral grain spirit with 100 percent rye base, an unusual beginning in the gin market. It's flavored with juniper, anise seed, Elettaria cardamom, coriander, lavender, sweet orange peel, and sarsaparilla. It, too, is slightly overproofed, bottled at 42 percent ABV (84 proof), so it's not as delicate as it's often made out to be. This is a double-distilled gin produced in a two-stage distillate . Juniper, coriander, angelica, licorice root, cassia bark, Florentine iris, and lime peel are introduced in the first distillation. Bitter orange peel, lemon peel, and lime peel in the second. It is finished with Icelandic glacial water and bottled at a standard 40 percent ABV (80 proof). Like many other brands, Bols has expanded their genever selection. Beyond the original, you can find barrel-aged bottles, which are rested in French Limousin oak casks for 18 months.

If you enjoy the standard bottle of Beefeater, keep an eye out for the brand's special bottlings. They make an appearance from time to time, and each is worth a taste when the bottle crosses yourpath. Beefeater 24, for example, is a regular offering that is a nice upgrade from the original and the brand often comes out with limited editions. Today, drinkers can enjoy the diversity of gin.Unlike vodka, each bottle of gin is truly unique. The majority feature some degree of the pine flavor that comes from juniper, which is gin's signature ingredient, yet no two bottles have the same combination of botanicals. You can also explore the effects of aging on gin—something most gin is not subjected to—with Martin Miller's 9 Moons. This bottling rests the gin in previously used bourbon barrels for nine months to give it a fascinating sweetness of vanilla and oak. Seriously, still one of the best, it holds up even nearly two decades later. Martin Miller’s gin is a new classic of this era and I still love it for what it is. Though I’d probably buy the Westbourne first if I had a choice between the two, I’d buy the classic 40% ABV Martin Miller’s over a very many of the gins out there today. Highly recommended. If you look at the list of botanicals in Bombay Sapphireyou will notice a few differences from other London dry gins. Grains of paradise, almond, and cubeb berries are not your average gin ingredients and they help this bottle stand apart from the crowd.

Distilled in Cheshire, England, Bombay Sapphire's full list of vapor-infused botanicals include juniper, almond, grains of paradise, lemon peel, licorice, orris root, angelica, coriander, cassia bark, and cubeb berries. It's old meets new with this gin. While the brand is relatively young, having launched in 1987, the beautiful array is based on a recipe from 1761. Bols Geneverwas on the U.S. marketuntil Prohibitionand was not available again until the summer of 2008. It is bottled at 42 percent ABV (84 proof), and a bottle typically sells for the same price as any premium gin. Martin Miller's is a modern take on traditional gin. It has that wonderful juniper dominance of a London dry and it is perfectly balanced, crisp, clean and simply an extravagant gin.

Behind the Gin

This gin is distilled in a copper pot still named "Marjorie." The botanical list includes juniper, angelica root, cassia bark, cinnamon, coriander seed, lemon peel, licorice, nutmeg, orange peel, and orris root. It is bottled at a standard 40 percent ABV (80 proof). Aviation's choice of a rye base gives this gin a creamier mouthfeel than most gins. It is a gin that you can enjoy chilled on its own, which is great news for super dry martini fans.