​​What Sets Gin Apart From Other Alcoholic Beverages?

Gin's popularity has skyrocketed in Australia in recent years, but the surge can't be attributed solely to a need to always be current with the newest trends. It was in the 1990s that new rules for small-scale distilling were enacted, spearheaded by Bill Lark (dubbed the Australian Distilling legend), thus launching the craft distilling business in Australia. Coupled with the abundance of local botanicals in Australia, has inspired both our own and international innovation in the gin category, with the result being the establishment of a truly unique "Australian gin."

Australian spirits stand out compared to international brands because we can access such a diverse and interesting botanical pantry. Are you looking for a Mornington Peninsula brewery or distillery that will help take your business to the next level? We Tar Barrel are experts in the brewing and distilling industry, and we can provide you with all the services you need to make your business successful. 

While starting a distillery and producing gin may be less of a challenge than they formerly were, most newcomers to the industry are often taken aback by just how challenging it is to produce a premium product. Learning to blend plant flavour profiles separates a decent gin from an excellent gin. In addition, making gin from scratch, let alone refining the recipe and transitioning from a small to a large still, can take months or even years.

​​An In-Depth Look Into the Production of Gin

First Grain Spirit Is Distilled

How is gin created? Gin production is analogous to watercolour painting in that a high-quality base spirit, in this case, a distilled grain spirit, is required for the final product. 

The Use of Botanicals and Juniper Berries

Once the grain spirit is obtained, magic can take place. This is where an understanding of gin's constituent parts becomes crucial. The neutral grain spirit is then infused with a carefully selected combination of botanicals, including juniper berries. In reality, juniper berries are the single most crucial component in gin. 

Knowing the gin's intended flavour profile will help narrow down the options for the remaining botanicals. You can truly make something special with current-style gins by emphasising the fruity, flowery, earthy, spicy, or citrusy botanicals.

The Procedure of Distillation

The ' one shot ' distillation procedure is all about crafting the ideal mix and ratio of raw botanicals to be added to the neutral grain spirit in a single distillation run. Developing new products can be a lot of fun because there are many ways to produce gin; each yields a different final product by emphasising different aspects of the botanicals used. The amount of time spent in the still varies widely from one distillery to the next and from style to style. However, the infusion procedure used to impart colour to many flavoured gins can take anywhere from 12 hours to 12 months.

Putting Gin's Unique Flavour Into Words

There is a noticeable difference in flavour across gin brands. Gin has a strong alcohol "bloom" or fragrance because it is not aged or stored in barrels. 

Good gin distillers understand the need to balance the fresh flavour of the juniper berry (which isn't a fruit) with botanicals that enhance and complement that flavour.

Gin is typically made with a variety of botanicals, including orris root, angelica root, cassia bark, liquorice root, grapefruit peel, orange peel, and dry herbs like anise and coriander. While juniper is present in every gin, the other botanicals set each brand apart. Gin gets its distinctive citrusy flavour and scent from the frequent use of citrous peels in the distillation process. These two flavours are typically the foundation of gin, with hints of other aromatics like cardamom and coriander adding depth.

A quality gin's flavour profile is so rich and satisfying that it may be enjoyed on its own without any additions.

Gin Varieties and Their Common Flavour Profiles

London Dry Gin

London Dry Gin is a liquor that must have a predominant juniper berry flavour, according to the law. Juniper has a resinous and acidic taste with a touch of citrus, and it contains myrcene, a flavour compound also found in hops, cannabis, and wild thyme. The juniper creates a fragrant backdrop for the other botanicals in the gin, which affects how people perceive the flavour. Some people say that London Dry Gin tastes like flowers or herbs.

Another flavour compound in London Dry Gin is limonene, which gives it a zesty citrus smell and taste. That's why it's common to mix juniper with other spices like lemon peel, coriander, and more, all of which contain the same flavour components but in varying concentrations.

London Dry Gin usually has a more oily texture than other kinds of gin.

Old Tom Gin 

The delicate spice of Old Tom Gin bridges the flavour gap between Jenever and London Dry Gin. Of course, different distillers interpret the historic style of gin differently, but the flavours are unquestionably better than the sugary concoctions of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Old Tom Gin is for you if the juniper flavours differ from your thing. This slightly malty gin is typically sweeter since a sweetener is added after distillation. Otherwise, the flavour is enhanced by sugary botanicals like liquorice. 

Contemporary Gin

Some experts argue that the newer, less juniper-forward varieties of gin shouldn't even be considered gin at all. Modern gins often use more prominent secondary botanicals than the traditional juniper.

Fruity or flowery notes are frequent in today's Western gins, and cucumber is a popular addition. This gin approach's increased room for creativity results in some unique end results.

Barrel Aged Gin

Quite a few variables are in play, therefore the flavour of barrel-aged gin, including the type of wood used, the age of the wood, the size of the barrel, and the previous liquid that was held in it. Much less time is spent in oak barrels than necessary for spirits like brandy or whisky. As a result, the flavours of barrel-aged gins differ from one brand to the next more than any other kind of gin. 

Navy Strength Gin

It's easy to write off navy strength gin as a high-proof outlier that distilleries produce for the sake of variety. However, this particular gin has a long and storied history in the Navy. This is a unique variety of gin with characteristics that are lost at a lower proof. The botanicals in gin change in flavour and texture when exposed to higher alcohol concentrations. If you want your martinis on the dry side, navy strength gin is the way to go.

Mixed Drinks You Can Make With Gin

Gin Spritz

Spritz cocktails are a staple at any summer party. The Gin Spritz, an easy-to-prepare cocktail made with the finest Australian gins, is refreshing and delicious.

Aviation

 The lavender colour comes from a combination of créme de Violette, maraschino liqueur, and gin in this cocktail.

A mild but pleasing flavour has been cited as one of its selling points. It's traditional to serve with a wedge of lemon or lime.

Bramble

It was traditionally made with dry gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, crème de mûre, and crushed ice, and its flavours are often compared to those of a winter warmer drink.

To appreciate gin, you need to learn about this cocktail ingredient. You'll enjoy this drink much more using an Australian gin variety. This elixir's mild sweetness makes it ideal for satisfying a craving for something sweet with only a few drops.

Tom Collins

The base ingredients are gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. Australian gin is a suitable stand-in since it is comparable to British gin without being an exact match. However, there are many who prefer their beverages on the stronger side and will reduce the amount of water or raise the amount of alcohol accordingly.

 Keep the fun going by trying new items out until you get the perfect flavour profile.

French 75

It's made with gin, champagne, fresh lemon juice, and sugar. This cocktail's adaptability means you can use any gin you like, even Australian gins.

Gin and Tonic

There are only two components to the refreshing Gin & Tonic: gin and tonic water. It may look like a simple cocktail to whip together, but making a mess of it is easy. Therefore, the gin-to-tonic water ratio is critical, and the most common ratios are 1:1 and 1:3.

Many prefer minimal gin to maintain the flavour in their mouths. 

Gin's Distinct Tastes Make It a Versatile Drink

Once upon a time, people only considered drinking cocktails when they were wealthy or on vacation. But in recent years, cocktail menus have become standard at bars, restaurants, and even pubs across the country. As any gin drinker will attest, gin's versatile flavour makes it a great infusion for various cocktails. It's a cheap addition to the cocktail scene because only a splash is usually required to mould a cocktail.

If you haven't been hiding out over the past few years, you must know that gin is the hippest liquor right now. Gin is so well-liked that everything from distillery tours to tea bags infused with gin and tonic proves its widespread appeal.

Gin has relatively few calories, especially compared to beer (beer belly isn't called that for nothing). You can become very drunk on gin without giving up your diet or healthy lifestyle, as a shot of gin has an average of 72 calories, and gin normally has no less than 37% alcohol ABV.

Gin's many uses and intriguing flavour profiles are two of its many appealing qualities. Different methods of distillation and processing result in a wide range of possible strengths, tones, and flavours.

Adding different plant infusions to gin is a simple way to alter its flavour. Anise seed, orange peel, lavender, and vanilla pods are only a small selection of the numerous delicious infusions available.

Conclusion

New regulations for craft distilling and an abundance of indigenous botanicals have contributed to gin's meteoric rise in popularity Down Under. The use of a superior base spirit in gin manufacture is comparable to the use of water in watercolour painting. The use of botanicals and juniper berries is the most important part of making gin, and knowing the desired flavour profile of the gin will help determine which botanicals to employ. Orris root, angelica root, cassia bark, liquorice root, grapefruit peel, orange peel, and dry herbs like anise and coriander are just some of the botanicals that go into making gin.

Because it is not aged or held in barrels, it has a potent alcohol "bloom" or scent. A key component of London Dry Gin is the juniper berry, which imparts a resinous, acidic flavour with hints of citrous and contains myrcene, a flavour compound also present in hops, cannabis, and wild thyme. There are numerous varieties of gin, including the classic London Dry Gin and the more modern Old Tom Gin as well as the barrel-aged Gin, Navy Strength Gin, Gin Spritz, and Aviation Gin. Old Tom Gin fills in the flavour gap between Jenever and London Dry Gin, whereas London Dry Gin has a zesty citrous aroma and flavour. Modern gins typically feature less juniper and more secondary botanicals, whereas barrel-aged gins spend less time in oak barrels.

Navy Prowess The Navy and gin go way back, and gin spritzers are a must-have at every summer gathering. Unlike other types of gin, the distinctive flavours of Aviation Gin dilute at lower alcohol concentrations. The maraschino liqueur, gin, and créme de Violette in a drink are what give it its distinctive lavender hue. Crushed ice, dry gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, crème de mûre, and crème de mûre are the ingredients for a Bramble. Gin, lemon juice, sugar, and club soda are the ingredients for a Tom Collins.

Gin, champagne, fresh lemon juice, and sugar are the main components of a French 75 cocktail. Gin and tonic water are the two main components of this cocktail. Gin's diverse flavours make it a useful infusion for a wide range of drinks. Its low calorie count, high alcohol content (37% ABV), and many applications and flavour profiles make it a sought-after spirit. The use of diverse plant infusions allows for a vast variety of possible intensities, tones, and flavours.

Content Summary

• Gin’s popularity has skyrocketed in Australia in recent years, thanks to the new rules for small-scale distilling and the abundance of local botanicals.
• Gin is made by infusing a neutral grain spirit with a carefully selected combination of botanicals, including juniper berries, which are the single most crucial component in gin.
• Learning to blend plant flavour profiles separates a decent gin from an excellent gin. In addition, making gin from scratch, let alone refining the recipe and transitioning from a small to a large still, can take months or even years.
• Gin has a strong alcohol “bloom” or fragrance because it is not aged or stored in barrels. Good gin distillers understand the need to balance the fresh flavour of the juniper berry with botanicals that enhance and complement that flavour.
• Gin has a versatile flavour that makes it a great infusion for various cocktails. It’s a cheap addition to the cocktail scene because only a splash is usually required to mould a cocktail.
• Gin has relatively few calories, especially compared to beer. You can become very drunk on gin without giving up your diet or healthy lifestyle, as a shot of gin has an average of 72 calories, and gin normally has no less than 37% alcohol ABV.
• Adding different plant infusions to gin is a simple way to alter its flavour. Anise seed, orange peel, lavender, and vanilla pods are only a small selection of the numerous delicious infusions available.
• London Dry Gin is a liquor that must have a predominant juniper berry flavour, according to the law. Juniper has a resinous and acidic taste with a touch of citrus. London Dry Gin also has a zesty citrus aroma and flavour from limonene, which is found in other spices like lemon peel and coriander. London Dry Gin usually has a more oily texture than other kinds of gin.
• Old Tom Gin is a slightly malty and sweeter variety of gin that bridges the flavour gap between Jenever and London Dry Gin. A sweetener is added after distillation or sugary botanicals like liquorice are used to enhance the flavour. Old Tom Gin is for you if you don’t like the juniper flavours too much.
• Contemporary Gin is a newer and less juniper-forward variety of gin that uses more prominent secondary botanicals. Fruity or flowery notes are frequent in today’s Western gins, and cucumber is a popular addition. This gin approach’s increased room for creativity results in some unique end results.
• Barrel Aged Gin is a variety of gin that is aged in oak barrels for a short period of time. The flavour of barrel-aged gin depends on many factors, such as the type of wood, the age of the wood, the size of the barrel, and the previous liquid that was held in it. Barrel-aged gins differ from one brand to the next more than any other kind of gin.
• Navy Strength Gin is a high-proof variety of gin that has a long and storied history in the Navy. This gin has characteristics that are lost at a lower proof. The botanicals in gin change in flavour and texture when exposed to higher alcohol concentrations. Navy strength gin is the way to go if you want your martinis on the dry side.
• Gin Spritz is an easy-to-prepare cocktail made with the finest Australian gins. It is refreshing and delicious, and perfect for any summer party.
• Aviation is a cocktail that has a lavender colour from a combination of créme de Violette, maraschino liqueur, and gin. It has a mild but pleasing flavour and is traditionally served with a wedge of lemon or lime.
• Bramble is a cocktail that was traditionally made with dry gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, crème de mûre, and crushed ice. It has flavours that are often compared to those of a winter warmer drink. It has a mild sweetness that makes it ideal for satisfying a craving for something sweet with only a few drops.
• Tom Collins is a cocktail that has the base ingredients of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. It is a simple but refreshing drink that can be made with any gin you like, even Australian gins. Some people prefer their beverages on the stronger side and will reduce the amount of water or raise the amount of alcohol accordingly.
• French 75 is a cocktail that is made with gin, champagne, fresh lemon juice, and sugar. It is a versatile drink that can be made with any gin you like, even Australian gins. It is a classy and elegant drink that can be enjoyed on any occasion.
• Gin and Tonic is a classic cocktail that only has two components: gin and tonic water. 
• Gin is made by infusing a neutral grain spirit with a carefully selected combination of botanicals, including juniper berries, which are the single most crucial component in gin.
• Learning to blend plant flavour profiles separates a decent gin from an excellent gin. In addition, making gin from scratch, let alone refining the recipe and transitioning from a small to a large still, can take months or even years.