The world of gin is vast and exciting. There are so many different types, flavors, labels, and producers that it can be overwhelming to even the most experienced drinker. But don’t let the abundance of choices intimidate you; start your exploration of gin with this handy guide from Coolee Co. No other spirit has a broader spectrum of variations than gin. There are gins made from just about everything — violet leaves, black cardamom pods, apples, pears, juniper berries, purple carrots, even nettles! But how did we get here? How did this humble liquor develop into such a rich and complex category? Let’s take a look at the history of gin and understand its production process.
The History of Gin
In the 13th century, the Dutch city of Amsterdam became a prominent trading center. As they imported goods from all over the world, they discovered a new favorite drink — genever, a Dutch gin that was flavored with botanicals. Genever later spread to England, where it became known as “Dutch gin.” In the early 1600s, England was in the midst of a gin “epidemic.” The British government responded with a series of measures that we would now call Prohibition-like. They made distillation illegal, required merchants to be licensed to sell gin, and even prohibited the buying and selling of used gin bottles! Gin’s popularity waned in the following decades, but it enjoyed a resurgence in the mid-19th century when the government dropped many of the restrictions. The Industrial Revolution had made it much easier to produce gin by removing the need for distillers to work in small batches by hand.
Why is Gin Called “Shaving” Liquid?
Gin has been associated with a “close shave” since the 19th century. At the time, barbers used it to clean the cutthroat razors that were used for shaving. The word “genever” comes from juniper berries, the main botanical in gin. The British pronunciation of “gin” rhymes with “skin,” which is where the name “shaving” liquid comes from. In the United States, “shaving” had a different meaning. It was a designation used by the U.S. government to distinguish between medicinal “cough syrup” and alcoholic “tonic.” This is why you still see “shaving” on the label of some gin brands.
Types of Gin
Gin can be divided into two broad categories. Wheat-based gins are lighter and more neutral in flavor, while barley-based gins have a stronger, more assertive taste. Although barley-based gins are more popular in the United States, wheat-based gins are the most common in the world. – English Gin – English gin is made with a blend of both barley and wheat. It’s also flavored with citrus fruit and spices such as coriander, cinnamon, and cardamom. – London Dry Gin – This is the traditional English gin. London dry gin is the most complex gin type and is made with a high percentage of neutral grain spirits or unmalted barley. – Navy Gin – Navy gin is a London dry gin with the addition of other flavors like sugar. – Old Tom Gin – Old tom gin is a sweetened, low-proof gin that was popular in the 19th century. – Dutch Gin – Dutch gin is made with a higher percentage of wheat. It’s flavored with juniper berries, coriander, and other spices. – Other Gin Types – Some gins also have a “gin liqueur” designation, which means they’ve been sweetened. Others are “gin genever,” which is a gin that’s flavored with a higher percentage of juniper berries than other gins.
How Is Gin Made?
The process for making gin is relatively simple. Unmalted barley and wheat are mashed and fermented to produce a “wash.” The wash is distilled to produce alcohol. After a “foreshots” and “feints” cut, the alcohol is mixed with botanicals and other flavorings. The mixture is then put into a still and distilled to separate the alcohol from the flavorings. The alcohol is then blended with water, bottled, and label. A “botanicals” distillation is the most common technique for making gin. But a few gins are made with an “extraction” distillation process. Instead of steeping botanicals in the alcohol, the gin is mixed with hot water to extract the flavor.
The Batch Distillation Process For Making Gin
Gin starts off as an “unmalted grain spirit.” This is a neutral grain-based alcohol like corn or rye. (Butterfly Gin uses wheat.) The alcohol is then distilled in a still to create a high-proof spirit. The next step is to add the botanicals. The gin distiller mixes the alcohol with botanical flavorings and puts the mixture into a still. This is where the batch distillation process differs slightly between the two types of gin. Traditional Gin – During the botanical distillation, the gin is slowly heated and the alcohol evaporates. The botanical flavorings are left behind. Extraction Gin – The gin is mixed with hot water to extract the botanicals. The mix is put into a still and the alcohol is evaporated. The botanical flavorings are then left behind.
Understanding the Various Types of Gin
English Gin – The most common type of gin is made from a blend of barley and wheat. These gins are lighter and more neutral in flavor than barley-based gins. They’re often citrus flavored. Barley-based Gin – The most popular type of gin is made from unmalted barley (sometimes rye or wheat.) This type of gin is stronger, more assertive, and tarter than the English gin. They’re often flavored with herbs and spices like cardamom and coriander. Barley-based Gin – Gin genever is a variation on the barley-based gin that’s flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals. Genever is usually a darker color than its barley-based cousin. Other Gin Types – Gin liqueur is a sweetened gin. It’s usually made with a barley-based gin. Some brands also add sugar to make them more attractive to new drinkers.
The Bottom Line
Gin is a spirit that has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years thanks to the release of a number of high-quality, handcrafted gins that can be enjoyed both neat and in cocktails. With so many varieties to choose from, there’s something for everyone from the most discerning gin connoisseur to the gin-drinking newbie.