Tutored Tastings of Gin 2023 - Ginposium 2023
David T Smith summerfruitcup.com
Not requiring an introduction to many, Gin Guild member David leads his annual tasting of what’s new and looks at a retro revival in the world of gin.
It’s 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 older Gins being revived on which to keep an eye. 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 recent ‘Martini’ with Keli Smith, and ‘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.
Gin-Note™ entries from this session
El-Bart Gin
Gin-Note™ Flavour Guidance
Graceful and Creamy
El-Bart has three very clear taste levels, the creamy follow being the most notable.
Ideal mixer: Classic tonic
Recommended garnish: Violet, Rose, Berries
ABV: 40%
Booth’s Gin
Gin-Note™ Flavour Guidance
Refined and Woody
Booth's Gin is crafted using the world's finest botanicals and exquisite sherry cask maturation.
Ideal mixer: Classic tonic
Recommended garnish: Classic citrus lemon or orange
Ideal serve: Sipped neat or cut with sparkling spring water
ABV: 43.0%
Aged: Aged in PX sherry casks for 30 days
Beefeater Crown Jewel Gin
Gin-Note™ Flavour Guidance
Elegant and Classic
Super-premium London Gin relaunched in new packaging but retaining one-litre bottle at 50% ABV. A strong, complex, gentle giant of gins.
Ideal mixer: Vermouth
Recommended garnish: lemon peel
Ideal serve: Martini
ABV: 50%
Hayman’s Singapore Airlines Connoisseur Dry Gin
Gin-Note™ Flavour Guidance
Elegant and Citrus
A distinctive and captivating gin – perfectly balanced to enjoy with tonic or in a cocktail.
Ideal mixer: Classic tonic
Recommended garnish: Citrus wheel
Ideal serve: Delicious in a Gin Fizz and a Red Snapper with Asian spices
ABV: 41.2%
Broken Bat Gin
Gin-Note™ Flavour Guidance
Bold and Woody
Greater Than Gin from India aged in Kashmir Willow
Recommended garnish: Orange peel
Ideal serve: Neat over ice
ABV: 47%
Aged: in Kashmir Willow
Warner’s X Four Pillars Harrington Shiraz Gin
Gin-Note™ Flavour Guidance
Bold and Aromatic
A collaboration which spans the world from the UK to Australia, using shared botanicals
Ideal mixer: Classic tonic
Recommended garnish: Wedge of orange
Ideal serve: Stonking in a savoury martini, or sparkling in a gin spritz
ABV: 40%
Four Pillars X Warner’s Green Apple & Rhubarb Gin
Gin-Note™ Flavour Guidance
Bold and Fruity
A beautiful flavoured gin with a backbone of juniper and brown spices enriched with Yarra Valley apple juice and beautiful English Rhubarb.
Ideal mixer: Classic Ginger Ale
Recommended garnish: Apple wedge
Ideal serve: G&T, Highball, 50/50 Martini, Rhubarb Crumble Sour, Fruit Cup
ABV: 41.8%
Hernö Slow Sloe Gin
Gin-Note™ Flavour Guidance
Nuanced and Jammy
Hernö Sloe Gin is added to juniper casks that have been used to mature Hernö Juniper Cask Gin.
Ideal mixer: Bitter Lemon / Lemon Tonic
Recommended garnish: Twist of Lemon Peel
ABV: 40.0%