Gin & Genever

Or a martini. Or a Vesper. Gin is clearly a colorful cultural asset that has left its mark on history for thousands of years. Sometimes good, sometimes less so, but always gin.

Gin - the wonder of the juniper bush

Gin has been the subject of scholars and connoisseurs alike. The combination of alcohol and juniper berries was already being researched for medicinal purposes thousands of years ago. The mixture was said to be good for heartburn, rheumatism, gout and digestive problems. The patients were delighted. It was soon realized that the alleged sufferers were more likely to be malingerers. Gin became a stimulant. Today, as then, gin offers an immeasurable variety of types and ingredients, making each individual gin creation from a distillery unique. 3 production methods, around 12 types of gin, 120 so-called botanicals, count the possibilities - or sample the wealth of gin enjoyment at VINELLO.

Gin taste

The main focus of gin is on the juniper berry, a cypress plant that gives the distinctive note to the agricultural alcohol, which is obtained from grain and rarely from molasses. A gin must have an alcohol content of at least 37.5% by volume, whereby an unwritten rule states that more alcohol produces a rounder gin. What follows is the individual composition of around 120 ingredients, also known as botanicals. These include exotic herbal ingredients, precious herbs and intense spices such as nutmeg, gentian, iris, ginger, rose, lemon and orange peel and much more. Depending on the distillation process, the alcohol takes on the aromas and active ingredients of the ingredients and becomes gin. But not all gin is the same. A classification of varieties determines which name the mixture may bear on the label. These include

• Dry gin
• London Dry Gin
• Sloe Gin
• Plymouth Gin 
• Original Genever
• Distilled Gin
• Gin de Mahón
• New Western Dry Gin
• Vilnius Gin
• Old Tom Gin
• Reserve Gin

Gin has acquired the English touch over the centuries, but the story begins elsewhere.

Gin's great history

Alchemists, witches and monks have been experimenting with alcohol and juniper for their medicinal properties since ancient times. Things really took off in the 17th century, however, when a juniper schnapps called Genever made the sick happy in the Netherlands. The medicine was so popular that from then on it was sold in stores as a stimulant. Having seemingly become the national drink, Dutch soldiers always carried a bottle with them when they went into battle. The allied English Redcoats took a liking to the tasty jenever when they fought together against the Spanish. The English men traveled home with a few bottles in their luggage and made genever, also known colloquially by the English as "Juniperus" or simply gin, famous.

Gin became an insider tip in the British Isles. Then William III of Orange-Nassau ascended the English throne. He always had a nose for getting his subjects on his side. In short: he brought gin from the Netherlands, made it tax-free and imposed high taxes on French products. Everyone was allowed to open their own distillery in their own home and officially sell gin after 10 days. Thus began the gin craze, the gin crisis, which had devastating consequences for the poorer population.

Gin was cheap and not subject to any quality standards. It didn't matter what was in the gin. The main thing was that it popped. Crime increased, as did infant mortality. Everyone was intoxicated and the rest lay fallow. The general mortality rate even exceeded the birth rate, with newborns being born with a gin addiction. The macabre name Mother's Ruin was established. These were dark times, and the government recognized this. The Gin Act of 1751 put a stop to the binge. The licenses to distil gin became extremely expensive, the quality standard and the price were raised considerably. Gin became the drink of the upper classes.

As the British Empire spread around the world, so did gin. The Redcoats in India fought against mosquitoes and malaria in particular. To protect themselves against these, they had to take quinine, found in tonic water. To make the very bitter taste a little more bearable, the soldiers mixed the tonic water with gin - with resounding success that continues to this day. Not so much because of malaria, but who knows for sure.

During Prohibition, the term bathtub gin was coined in the United States, which even today stands for inferior gin. The spirit is quite simple to make and the only large usable container was usually the bathtub. Less attention was paid to quality than to alcohol. It's best not to order bathtub gin - better a Mother's Ruin.

Gin varieties

The different types of gin are categorized according to their origin, production and list of ingredients. Each distillery has dedicated itself to one or more styles. A brief overview of the most popular varieties will help you find your way through the variety.

Genever

The original of Dutch origin. Also known as jenever, from the Dutch jeneverbes for juniper, is generally regarded as the forerunner of gin. The alcohol is made from barley or rye and refined with the botanicals caraway, roasted aromas and coriander. A soft representative of this guild is the Old Style Genever from De Borgen, which seduces the palate with intense notes of grain and juniper.

London Dry Gin

This is not necessarily a gin from London, but rather a style. No artificial flavors are added to the dry gin and the sugar content is limited to 0.1 g per liter. Well-known representatives of this style are Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray Dry Gin from the distillery C. Tanqueray & Co and Elephant London Dry Gin.

Dry Gin

This variety has a distinctive juniper aroma and, unlike London Dry Gin, may not be enriched with botanicals. However, it is possible to give the gin a unique color using colorants. Ideal for cocktails or your own home bar. Examples of dry gin are Gin Mare and Friedrichs Dry Gin.

Sloe gin

Sloe gin stands for itself. It is not a true gin, rather a liqueur with less alcohol, but is still classified as a gin. The dark red coloring results from the sloe. It is much sweeter and fruitier than dry gin. Elephant Sloe Gin is highly recommended for this variety.

Plymouth, Vilnius and Gin de Mahón

These gins become what they are because of their geographical location. They can only be produced in this location and usually have a unique composition of botanicals. Plymouth gin from the Black Friars Distillery, for example, is only produced in the English port city and its juniper aroma is far less pronounced.

Things to know about gin

What is gin?

Gin is a clear spirit that is predominantly dominated by juniper and coriander. Originally from the Netherlands, gin has developed into a typically English drink. Gin is often used to create cocktails and long drinks.

How is gin produced?

There are 3 common methods for producing gin.

Maceration: The botanicals are added to the alcohol until the flavor is released. The mixture is then filtered and diluted.

Digestion: During hot extraction, the crushed botanicals are added to the alcohol. The whole thing is boiled at around 70°C so that the full range of flavors can develop.

Percolation: Probably the most sophisticated and complex production method. The alcohol is made gaseous and escapes through several sieves, which are filled with the desired ingredients, into the next kettle. Finally, the gas becomes liquid again and the gin is ready.

What goes well with gin?

Gin is the main ingredient in many cocktails. Probably the best known is gin and tonic. The possibilities for using gin in mixed drinks are almost endless. Just try it out and enjoy.

How do you store gin?

Gin should be stored as cool, dark and upright as possible. A cellar is ideal for protected and stable storage. Even open bottles will keep for several months or even years if sealed. Depending on how much gin is left in the bottle. The more oxygen, the faster the gin oxidizes.

Buy cheap gin online

A sip of world history, because wherever you go, gin has already been there. This world-class spirit is just waiting to be enjoyed in countless variations. We have created an exquisite selection for you from all over the world. Order your favorite gin from all corners of the world online. Whether with friends, for a celebration or as an aperitif. Discover our wide range of high-quality gins. Buy inexpensive distillates online and receive a package full of gin, wine and other spirits directly at your doorstep. We deliver reliably and insured via climate-neutral shipping. Wherever you want, pay however you want, whatever you want. Of course, you can also buy cheap gin from VINELLO - your wine merchant with a heart for spirits.