Mother’s Ruin.
The Demon Drink. G&T.
Gin has had many incarnations over hundreds of years – from the cheap and nasty opiate of 17th C masses to the boutique hipster thirst-quencher of millennials.
The early 17th century marks the first production of gin in the Netherlands. In Holland it was regarded as a medicine and was sold in apothecary shops to treat stomach problems, gout and gallstones. And to make it more palatable, the Dutch flavoured it with juniper, which also had purported medicinal properties.
Gin has had many incarnations over hundreds of years – from the cheap and nasty opiate of 17th C masses to the boutique hipster thirst-quencher of millennials.
The early 17th century marks the first production of gin in the Netherlands. In Holland it was regarded as a medicine and was sold in apothecary shops to treat stomach problems, gout and gallstones. And to make it more palatable, the Dutch flavoured it with juniper, which also had purported medicinal properties.
In 1730, London
had over 7,000 shops that sold only spirits. As consumption of gin increased
alarmingly, the government introduced a distiller’s licence of £50, a huge sum
in those days. This essentially created a black market in illegal gin of
dubious quality. Then, heavy government restrictions in favour of the powerful
beer lobby drove gin production underground, and almost out of existence.
The Empire Strikes Back.
Then when the British Crown took over governance of India, British expats struggled with the ravages of malaria. A local folk cure came from the bark of the chinchona or ‘fever tree’, which contained bitter quinine. To make it more pleasant, sugar, lime, ice and gin were added – and thus the G&T was born.
Gin is basically a pure distilled ethanol white spirit with added botanical flavour compounds derived predominately from juniper berries but also a number of additives including angelica, hops, coriander, lime, lemon, orange, liquorice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, bitter almond, cucumber and cloves.
The Empire Strikes Back.
Then when the British Crown took over governance of India, British expats struggled with the ravages of malaria. A local folk cure came from the bark of the chinchona or ‘fever tree’, which contained bitter quinine. To make it more pleasant, sugar, lime, ice and gin were added – and thus the G&T was born.
Gin is basically a pure distilled ethanol white spirit with added botanical flavour compounds derived predominately from juniper berries but also a number of additives including angelica, hops, coriander, lime, lemon, orange, liquorice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, bitter almond, cucumber and cloves.
Here's a selection of 8 NZ made gins.
Black Robin Rare Gin 750 ml 43%
alcohol $NZ69.99
With native Horopito and juniper in the mix of 11 botanicals, Black Robin is named for the endangered Chatham Islands Black Robin. A portion of the profits are donated to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of NZ.
Aromas and flavours of juniper, lemon squash and bitter almond, with a hint of cloves. Opens up in the mouth soft and sweet with a nudge of liquorice.
With native Horopito and juniper in the mix of 11 botanicals, Black Robin is named for the endangered Chatham Islands Black Robin. A portion of the profits are donated to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of NZ.
Aromas and flavours of juniper, lemon squash and bitter almond, with a hint of cloves. Opens up in the mouth soft and sweet with a nudge of liquorice.
Matakana Moonshine 700ml 37.2%
alcohol $NZ36.70
Much softer than the Black Robin at 5.8% less ABV. Soft and subtle with stem ginger, gardenia florals and sandalwood. Produced by In The Bush Ltd., they scooped a Bronze Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Much softer than the Black Robin at 5.8% less ABV. Soft and subtle with stem ginger, gardenia florals and sandalwood. Produced by In The Bush Ltd., they scooped a Bronze Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Light House Batch Distilled Gin 750ml
42% alcohol $NZ79.99
Perfumed on the nose with sweet lime, pomander and cloves. Soft and smooth palate with orange zest, Turkish delight and angelica.
Perfumed on the nose with sweet lime, pomander and cloves. Soft and smooth palate with orange zest, Turkish delight and angelica.
Source Pure Cardrona Gin 750ml 47%
alcohol $NZ79.99
All the way from the Deep South, with classy packaging in a nice oblong bottle.
Batch distilled eight times over copper pot and column stills. They include botanicals of juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon & orange zest, plus rose hip.
One the nose, it’s assertive with coriander and juniper and a hint of pine resin. Flavours of marshmallow plus all of the above botanicals.
Batch distilled eight times over copper pot and column stills. They include botanicals of juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon & orange zest, plus rose hip.
One the nose, it’s assertive with coriander and juniper and a hint of pine resin. Flavours of marshmallow plus all of the above botanicals.
Rogue Society Premium Dry Gin 700ml
42.2% alcohol $NZ79.99
Very classy packaging in a tall black bottle with a silver badge.
Aromas of Juniper, lemon zest, liquorice, ripe orange and talcum.
The palate is citrus dominant – with orange zest, florals and lychee tropical fruit.
Very classy packaging in a tall black bottle with a silver badge.
Aromas of Juniper, lemon zest, liquorice, ripe orange and talcum.
The palate is citrus dominant – with orange zest, florals and lychee tropical fruit.
Vaione Premium Pacific Gin 1 litre
40.2% alcohol $NZ74.99
Pacifica style branding with fern leaves and tapa cloth images. Lime and orange dominate the palate. On the nose, there are cinnamon and clove aromas. In the mouth it’s very soft and integrated with flavours of cake spices and orange zest.
Pacifica style branding with fern leaves and tapa cloth images. Lime and orange dominate the palate. On the nose, there are cinnamon and clove aromas. In the mouth it’s very soft and integrated with flavours of cake spices and orange zest.
Made by Puhoi based Ukrainian expat Alex Kirichuk. Has picked up two international awards. Botanicals include Manuka flower. On the nose it’s orange zest, cinnamon and clove, opening out on the palate with soft integrated flavours of cake spices and candied orange peel.
Broken Heart Gin 700ml 40% alcohol
$NZ64.99
Another one from the Deep South – this time Queenstown. Uses glacial water from Queenstown. The brand reflects the relationship between two German master distillers who launched the brand. Joerg was a pilot and Bernd an engineer. Sadly, Bernd died after battling illness and Joerg’s gin is a testament to their friendship. Nose of juniper, lime and cumin. With soft and spicy flavours of orange and lime
Another one from the Deep South – this time Queenstown. Uses glacial water from Queenstown. The brand reflects the relationship between two German master distillers who launched the brand. Joerg was a pilot and Bernd an engineer. Sadly, Bernd died after battling illness and Joerg’s gin is a testament to their friendship. Nose of juniper, lime and cumin. With soft and spicy flavours of orange and lime
Phil drives people to drink - wine tours in Auckland
Great read Phil. Would love to hear your thoughts in person some time. Cheers,
ReplyDeleteEamon.
Thanks Eamon - love to catch up.
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