I think one of the most interesting examples of using locally available products and botanicals for gin is the recent trend in Japanese gins. Kinobi, Nikka Coffey, and Suntory Roku are all using local products like yuzu, sansho pepper, green tea, Sakura blossom among others and in some cases they are distilling the base spirit from rice which makes a very unique product.
Thank you for posting this episode. I have seen it before but now as it will eventually be summer in Chicago, I am reviewing your videos about gin and gin drinks. Cheers!
Nice video, informative & well explained ! I love gin too. If I had to pick 6 favorite gins, they'll be maybe these: 1/ Isle of Harris Gin (with sugarkelp & lots of local botanicals, they are Scottish & they'll also do soon a whisky) 2/ Ki No Bi (classical one) a beautifully crafted gin from Kyoto, Japan, they use local botanicals, not only yuzu, and have also variants of it with tea leaves ! Like the first choice, their packaging is breathtaking but their content matches it for me ! 3/ Tanquery Ten (the old 47,3 % version), what's not to like...can't imagine a G & T without it (ok I haven't had a proper one for years). A powerful & flavourful gin, a must try. 4/ Hendricks Gin (love that particular cucumber & rose galore in it), the French storepick version at 44 % abv 5/ Edinburgh Gin...I love all the range , but I have a crush for their "Seaside" version, which highlights for me, a bit like the Isle of Harris, its mineral & maritime elements... 6/ Roku Gin (from Suntory), another delicate & made with local Japanese botanicals gin.... They are so many Gins now (more than 70 Scottish brands to start with...), honestly like you said we're spoiled for choice ! I guess you tried all these 6 ones, don't you ? (except of course the Tanqueray & Hndricks you already know), If not, I highly recommend them to you...
Great picks! The only one I haven’t tried is the Ki No Bi, I’ll have to keep an eye out. Unfortunately we don’t get all the Scottish ones over here so I just have to binge when I’m back home 😜
@@BehindtheBar Honestly the Isle if Harris & Ki No Bi were my favorite non whisky spirits of the year 2 years ago & still are...that Isle of Harris is a kinda Taliskerish Gin which I enjoy a lot the idea...The Ki No Bi is represenrative of the Japanese refinement & expertise in crafts in my opinion...Yep I can also recommend the Lussa Gin (another Scottish one !) that I discovered in Edinburgh at Cranachan & Crowdie (I recommend their shop with no less than 30 different Scottish gin). Cheers !
There are some wonderful gins coming out of Quebec these days. Km12 is wonderful, they use local botanicals from the boreal forest to compliment the Juniper.
Sloe gin is a great Christmas treat and you can indeed forage for sloes in lots the UK countryside. Waiting for the first frost is tricky in the south of England these days, but the same effect can be achieved by sticking the berries in the freezer for a few hours before maceration!
Love Monkey 47. My absolute favorite. Also enjoy Tanq10. Don't overlook the importance of the tonic for a good G&T. Oh the things I've learned during quarantine.
Hi! I’ve just been hired as a barback. Your videos are super helpful as a fun way to absorb a lot of information. I’m sure it’ll come in handy when when I start bartending :D
Amazing that a (the only?) Swedish gin maker, Hernö, managed to get a one of their products to Australia. Even if it was presented as a curiosity more than a recommendation 😉
I absolutely love Herno! We just used their Old Tom to talk about that particular style, which is a bit of a curiosity, but their regular and barrel aged expressions are so yummy as well. They even did a collaboration with our very own Four Pillars gin!
This was super helpful and easy to understand, thank you! I have lots of gin in the cupboard because it's my favourite main spirit and most of my friends are also gin drinkers, so it makes for useful social periods - but I've never been very good at classifying and figuring out the kind of gins people like in these sort of overarching styles (I'm definitely on the more botanicals=better scale). Favourites of mine are definitely Irish/Scots (so Dingle, Exiles, Daffy's, Pickering's, Botanist etc.)
I'm a fan of the Elderflower Fever Tree tonic, the one with Sugar vs the one with Fructose. The fructose version tastes flat to me. The sugar version has become very hard to find. Is Fever Tree not making the sugar version anymore? Additionally, I LOVE LOVE Dingle Gin!!!
According to Trish, the sugar tax in some countries e.g. the UK means that the low sugar versions are easier to find there. We don’t see it too much in Australia but don’t have the same tax laws!
What you were saying about baby strength standing up better in cocktails, think I need to try that! Have been making Negronis lately and find I can't really get the gin over the strong flavour of vermouth.
I feel like I’m not educated enough to order a drink at a bar so I’d always ask for a beer. Much like asking a cook for a breadstick. Thank you for the education.❤️
Nothing wrong with a beer if that’s what you feel like but remember that’s what we’re there for- any bartender worth their salt will be so happy so guide you through choosing a cocktail!
I have, I was actually in a Botanist competition back in the day in Scotland! I love it, I find it really herbal without being too savoury which is lovely. Don’t see too much of it out here cause there are so many great Aussie gins but I’ll definitely be drinking plenty of it when I’m back for a visit 😊
Absolutely love your channel! Being a gin martini drinker for ages now, really enjoyed this episode. I've been on Sapphire forever. I gave Hendrick's a shot but really think the extra cost wasn't really worth it for me so I stuck with my tried and true. I haven't explored too much. I did try Citadelle but felt it lacked the full flavor I get with Sapphire. What do you recommend? I looked up Gin Mare here in California and don't see it available locally. Thank you for your videos. I look forward to them. Happy Holidays!
If you’ve found something you love then that’s great! I don’t know as many craft gins in the States unfortunately, it’s always a little difficult recommending fun stuff from a different country but I’m sure there are plenty! Do you have a gin bar anywhere near you that you could try a few things? I do like Aviation gin as well, not exactly boutique but very tasty, although a little more juniper heavy than Sapphire 😊
@@BehindtheBar I had my hand on a bottle of Aviation just last week but grabbed the Sapphire at the last moment... Thank you for the reply! I will give it a try next time I’m in the candy store!!!
I have! I think they were very clever, and positioned themselves well in the market with a light and floral gin and memorable garnish, which has helped introduce lots of people to the category. Personally I prefer more savoury and juniper forward gins, so it’s not a go-to, but I completely understand why people love it!
Sorry about that, this was supposed to go live tomorrow (whoops) and hadn't quite finished getting it ready - hence the lack of link & thumbnail. The link is there now, or you can check it out here ua-cam.com/video/-jI-oVEm_Qc/v-deo.html
I think one of the most interesting examples of using locally available products and botanicals for gin is the recent trend in Japanese gins. Kinobi, Nikka Coffey, and Suntory Roku are all using local products like yuzu, sansho pepper, green tea, Sakura blossom among others and in some cases they are distilling the base spirit from rice which makes a very unique product.
Yup, there are some delicious gins coming out of Japan at the moment!
I am from Japan and I only had a faint knowledge in it... will try. Thanks.
Thank you for posting this episode. I have seen it before but now as it will eventually be summer in Chicago, I am reviewing your videos about gin and gin drinks. Cheers!
I have to say again - fabulous information! Very high quality! Thank you so much!
Nice video, informative & well explained ! I love gin too. If I had to pick 6 favorite gins, they'll be maybe these:
1/ Isle of Harris Gin (with sugarkelp & lots of local botanicals, they are Scottish & they'll also do soon a whisky)
2/ Ki No Bi (classical one) a beautifully crafted gin from Kyoto, Japan, they use local botanicals, not only yuzu, and have also variants of it with tea leaves ! Like the first choice, their packaging is breathtaking but their content matches it for me !
3/ Tanquery Ten (the old 47,3 % version), what's not to like...can't imagine a G & T without it (ok I haven't had a proper one for years). A powerful & flavourful gin, a must try.
4/ Hendricks Gin (love that particular cucumber & rose galore in it), the French storepick version at 44 % abv
5/ Edinburgh Gin...I love all the range , but I have a crush for their "Seaside" version, which highlights for me, a bit like the Isle of Harris, its mineral & maritime elements...
6/ Roku Gin (from Suntory), another delicate & made with local Japanese botanicals gin....
They are so many Gins now (more than 70 Scottish brands to start with...), honestly like you said we're spoiled for choice !
I guess you tried all these 6 ones, don't you ? (except of course the Tanqueray & Hndricks you already know), If not, I highly recommend them to you...
Great picks! The only one I haven’t tried is the Ki No Bi, I’ll have to keep an eye out. Unfortunately we don’t get all the Scottish ones over here so I just have to binge when I’m back home 😜
@@BehindtheBar Honestly the Isle if Harris & Ki No Bi were my favorite non whisky spirits of the year 2 years ago & still are...that Isle of Harris is a kinda Taliskerish Gin which I enjoy a lot the idea...The Ki No Bi is represenrative of the Japanese refinement & expertise in crafts in my opinion...Yep I can also recommend the Lussa Gin (another Scottish one !) that I discovered in Edinburgh at Cranachan & Crowdie (I recommend their shop with no less than 30 different Scottish gin). Cheers !
There are some wonderful gins coming out of Quebec these days. Km12 is wonderful, they use local botanicals from the boreal forest to compliment the Juniper.
I like a Gin with a strong juniper character so I guess London Dry is my style thank you for the information.
Sloe gin is a great Christmas treat and you can indeed forage for sloes in lots the UK countryside. Waiting for the first frost is tricky in the south of England these days, but the same effect can be achieved by sticking the berries in the freezer for a few hours before maceration!
Love Monkey 47. My absolute favorite. Also enjoy Tanq10. Don't overlook the importance of the tonic for a good G&T. Oh the things I've learned during quarantine.
Don’t worry, Trish works for Fever Tree haha, we’re well aware! We have a chat about it here 😊:
ua-cam.com/video/3RcNg7n6ZYk/v-deo.html
Very entertaining, good chemistry between you two, seeing someone sharing their passion, their personality really shines, pretty cool
Hi! I’ve just been hired as a barback. Your videos are super helpful as a fun way to absorb a lot of information. I’m sure it’ll come in handy when when I start bartending :D
You’re the reason why I’m doing this, so happy you’re finding it useful!
Amazing that a (the only?) Swedish gin maker, Hernö, managed to get a one of their products to Australia. Even if it was presented as a curiosity more than a recommendation 😉
I absolutely love Herno! We just used their Old Tom to talk about that particular style, which is a bit of a curiosity, but their regular and barrel aged expressions are so yummy as well. They even did a collaboration with our very own Four Pillars gin!
Martin Miller - so good! Great for a martini, where you can really enjoy its flavor.
Cool that you have Hernö Gin in Australia!
Very glad we do!
This was super helpful and easy to understand, thank you! I have lots of gin in the cupboard because it's my favourite main spirit and most of my friends are also gin drinkers, so it makes for useful social periods - but I've never been very good at classifying and figuring out the kind of gins people like in these sort of overarching styles (I'm definitely on the more botanicals=better scale). Favourites of mine are definitely Irish/Scots (so Dingle, Exiles, Daffy's, Pickering's, Botanist etc.)
I'm a fan of the Elderflower Fever Tree tonic, the one with Sugar vs the one with Fructose. The fructose version tastes flat to me. The sugar version has become very hard to find. Is Fever Tree not making the sugar version anymore? Additionally, I LOVE LOVE Dingle Gin!!!
According to Trish, the sugar tax in some countries e.g. the UK means that the low sugar versions are easier to find there. We don’t see it too much in Australia but don’t have the same tax laws!
Tanq 10 used to be my favourite drink until I tried a gin from New Zealand, Scapegrace.. hands down best gin iv ever had
There are some great new gins out there!
Couldnt agree with you more bob scapegrace is #1
Wondering if a new updated version about gin be done?
Good idea, it has been a while!
What you were saying about baby strength standing up better in cocktails, think I need to try that! Have been making Negronis lately and find I can't really get the gin over the strong flavour of vermouth.
Navy strength! It’s higher proof (usually upwards of 50% ABV) so really makes itself known. They do make awesome Negronis but just be careful haha
@@BehindtheBar Thanks! And I saw that predictive text typo after I posted but thought it too funny to correct! 😁
I feel like I’m not educated enough to order a drink at a bar so I’d always ask for a beer. Much like asking a cook for a breadstick. Thank you for the education.❤️
Nothing wrong with a beer if that’s what you feel like but remember that’s what we’re there for- any bartender worth their salt will be so happy so guide you through choosing a cocktail!
Behind the Bar , Here, where I live I feel like most bartenders are snobs who smirk and sneer at people who waste their time with questions.
🙄 no time for that!
Behind the Bar I agree. And that’s why I don’t go. Sadly. I pop into liquor stores and do the best I can.😬
And now you can come here!
Have you tried The Botanist Islay dry gin? in the Bruichladdich distillery actually if you have, how do you like it?
I have, I was actually in a Botanist competition back in the day in Scotland! I love it, I find it really herbal without being too savoury which is lovely. Don’t see too much of it out here cause there are so many great Aussie gins but I’ll definitely be drinking plenty of it when I’m back for a visit 😊
@@BehindtheBar that's great : ) it would be awesome if you do an episode for it, maybe tasting and cocktail, cheers!
Absolutely love your channel! Being a gin martini drinker for ages now, really enjoyed this episode. I've been on Sapphire forever. I gave Hendrick's a shot but really think the extra cost wasn't really worth it for me so I stuck with my tried and true. I haven't explored too much. I did try Citadelle but felt it lacked the full flavor I get with Sapphire.
What do you recommend? I looked up Gin Mare here in California and don't see it available locally.
Thank you for your videos. I look forward to them. Happy Holidays!
If you’ve found something you love then that’s great! I don’t know as many craft gins in the States unfortunately, it’s always a little difficult recommending fun stuff from a different country but I’m sure there are plenty! Do you have a gin bar anywhere near you that you could try a few things? I do like Aviation gin as well, not exactly boutique but very tasty, although a little more juniper heavy than Sapphire 😊
@@BehindtheBar I had my hand on a bottle of Aviation just last week but grabbed the Sapphire at the last moment... Thank you for the reply! I will give it a try next time I’m in the candy store!!!
Really liked the 1st one
Have you ever tried Hendricks gin? If so, what are your thoughts on it?
I have! I think they were very clever, and positioned themselves well in the market with a light and floral gin and memorable garnish, which has helped introduce lots of people to the category. Personally I prefer more savoury and juniper forward gins, so it’s not a go-to, but I completely understand why people love it!
Gin 2 so now I learn...did I hear right if there’s no Juniper it’s vodka..?
Exactly!
Hmm I might have to do some tasteing research after watching this! Sheep's whey Gin - who would have thought!
Yup, and it is delicious!
LDG is my favourite❤
You can get a whiskey drinker to drink Gin same as vodka just for mixing
Sure, some people like to stick to their favourites and some like to branch out a little! It’s our job as bartenders to guide them when they do 😊
Do you still make new videos?
I do! Every week - like and subscribe 😉. I’m also on Instagram @withcaradevine and post when a new video goes up.
There's no link below for the previous one x
Sorry about that, this was supposed to go live tomorrow (whoops) and hadn't quite finished getting it ready - hence the lack of link & thumbnail. The link is there now, or you can check it out here ua-cam.com/video/-jI-oVEm_Qc/v-deo.html
What in the hell do you have against vodka?
No flavor in vodka....
Not a word about Tanqueray's Malacca gin? Discontinued, an absolute shame and Tanqueray should be ashamed at its lousy decision.
Into context.... Alcoholics
Sorry very boring
Sorry you feel that way! Are you a gin drinker yourself?
@@BehindtheBar I'm so sorry about my comment it was rude I was grumpy that night please forgive me.Yea I love Gin
Of course. Well, hopefully some of the gin cocktail videos coming up will be more to your liking. Look out for them in a few weeks!