Tutored Tastings of Gin 2020 - Ginposium 2020

David T Smith

summerfruitcup.com

David T Smith leads his annual tasting of what’s new and unusual in the world of gin. The world of gin is a fast-paced environment with constant innovation and there have been many new releases since last year’s Ginposium. This session looks at some of the more interesting new releases, as well as gin trends on which to keep an eye.
With samples

David is a gin specialist and spirits writer who has spoken at conferences, judges’ spirits competitions and consulted on gin projects on both sides of the Atlantic. He is a regular contributor to Gin Magazine and to the Gin Guild Ginposium seminar programme. He is the author of many books about gin, including: ‘The Craft of Gin’, ‘How to Make Gin’, ‘Forgotten Spirits and Long-lost Liqueurs’ and “Gin, The Dictionary’. He is a Rectifier in the Gin Guild.

Audience tasting of (numerous) samples, each illustrating a facet of various speakers presentations, is a highlight of the Ginposium. Sadly, this year we obviously have to forgo the live audience that usually participates at the Ginposium.

With the event thrown open to the world via the Guild website, we have tried to go someway to bridging the gap by having a small panel taste the samples by distanced tastings at home. We have captured the panel comments by Zoom and/or email comments for the sessions from David T Smith and Stephen Gould. 

Our thanks to our panel members who comprise:

  • David T Smith – Summerfruitcup
  • Dr Anne Brock – Gin Guild/Bacardi
  • Joanne Moore – Quintessential Brands/G & J Distillers
  • Alice Pearson – Cotswolds Distillery
  • Kristiane Sherry – Editor at Master of Malt (former editor of The Spirits Business)
  • Bernadette Pamplin – Author of the gin website, undertheginfluence.com

tutored tasting gins from Ginposium 2020a

1. Mr King’s 1842 Recipe (41.2% ABV)
Plymouth Distillery, Plymouth, Devon
www.plymouthgin.com
Spirit Base: Neutral Grain Spirit
Botanicals include: Juniper (picked on a single day, from a single mountain location in Frontignano, Italy) and Orris Root.

2. Brute Ultra-Dry Gin (48.0% ABV)
Atom Labs, Tonbridge, Kent
Spirit Base: Neutral Grain Spirit (Wheat)
Botanicals include: Juniper, distilled in various different ways.

3. Hayman’s Rare Cut Gin (50.0% ABV)
Hayman’s Distillery, Balham, London
www.haymansgin.com
Spirit Base: Neutral Grain Spirit
Botanicals include: Juniper, Coriander, Angelica, Lemon, Orange, Orris, Liquorice, Cinnamon, Cassia, Nutmeg.

4. Hendrick’s Lunar Gin (43.4% ABV)
Hendrick’s Gin Palace, Girvan, Scotland
www.hendricksgin.com
Spirit Base: Neutral Grain Spirit
Botanicals include: Original Hendricks botanical selection with the addition of floral and spice notes

5. Tanqueray Rosemary and Grapefruit – Citrus Heart Edition (45.3% ABV)
Cameronbridge Distillery, Scotland
www.tanqueray.com
Spirit Base: Neutral Grain Spirit
Botanicals include: the introduction of Pink Grapefruit, along with the White Grapefruit found in T10, and the introduction of Rosemary Leaf, a herb

6. Nàdar Gin (43.0% ABV)
Arbikie Distillery, Scotland
www.arbikie.com
Spirit Base: Peas
Botanicals include: Juniper, Coriander, Angelica, Orange (Sweet), Orris, Liquorice, Makrut Lime, Makrut Lime Leaf

7. Warner’s Apple and Pear Gin (40.0% ABV)
Warners Distillery Harrington, Northamptonshire, UK
www.warnersdistillery.com
Spirit Base: Neutral Grain Spirit
Botanicals include: Apple, Pear and Elderflower apple and pear juice

8. London to Lima Mulberry and Coca Leaf (36.8% ABV)
London to Lima Distillery, Lima, Peru
www.londontolima.com
Spirit Base: Quebranta grape
Botanicals include: Juniper, Angelica, Orris
Locally sourced Botanicals include: Coriander, Orange, Cinnamon, Pink Peppercorn, Limón Sutíl, Peruvian, Groundcherry, Mulberry, Coca Leaf and Wild Honey