Hi Ralfy, first off, a big thank you, your reviews motivated me to go from having my whisky as an "and coke" drink to trying out some of the truly wonderful single malts and blends out there (though they can be hard to find in Australia!). I have been a big fan of gin, and I have to say my two favourites are Hendricks and The Botanist by Bruichladdich (and I'm a fan of the 10 year old Laddie too!). Keep up the videos, they always inspire me to try something new (in moderation of course)
Brilliant video Ralfy. Don't know how I missed this one before. Was at a gin festival in Edinburgh at the weekend (now Apr 2019) and really got my eyes opened. I liked a g&t from time to time but wasn't a massive fan. But since starting to really enjoy whisky, I found trying different gins a great experience. There was a seaweed one (who's name and origin escape me) which I was particularly fond of. Gin seems to be a very large playing field. Cheers.
I really enjoyed this video. Great intro and great suggestions for gin and tonic additives. And now I'm really looking forward to the next mini-series. Thanks for giving me a fun start to the day.
Love Gin! Glad to see you review it! A personal favorite is Old Raj, which has those Indian dry characteristics with a little more juniper, and my home state's own (Colorado, USA) Leopold Bros. which has those flowery, herbal notes similar to Hendrick's. Thanks again for a great review!
I don't like the taste of any spirit by itself, but Gin is definitely my favorite. A good way to mix it is about 300ml of tonic or ginger ale with 3 shots of gin, and I like to add some lime juice mixed with sugar to make it sweeter; about 50ml. it's actually a really good drink, because gin has herbal berry aftertaste that I really love. Gin cocktails are by far the best of anything I have ever tasted, and it is the only spirit that adds good flavor to a drink in my opinion.
Excellent review, mate! New subscriber here and very much looking forward to checking out the rest of your reviews on Scotch whiskey. I bought my dad a bottle of Old Pulteney for his birthday after watching your review. I'm a Hendrick's Gin fan and love to make a martini with it! Glad you like it, too, and gave it a very high rating. Cheers from sunny California
Last time I was at my favourite bar and enjoying my G&T (made with Beefeater gin), I was wondering why it had a pink colouring, which it never had before. Now, I know that tonic water glows under black light, but as there was no black light anywhere, I couldn't make any sense of it. Also forgot to ask my bartender about it. Now I finally know, thanks to Ralfy, that they must have added some Angostura Bitter. Which is great, because you wouldn't find many bars in my region who'd bother with it.
Enjoying a gin moment. Went back to the vault- found this video. Thank you. Hope you're enjoying your week. Also, thank you for the overt and absolute shatting on Diageo this week. I posted this comment here so they would not see it on the recent videos. Don't want to get the Whiskey multinationals too pissed. I went to Bowmore- and several other distilleries- this past summer. It/macallan were the absolute soul-sucking malt tours. I stopped buying them entirely because of it. Believe it or not- Edradour won the whole lot. Very special place and people there. Haven't seen springbank yet. I will next time i go to Scotland. Best wishes!
Thanks for the reviews and tips Ralfy! I love all 3 of these gins. Always preferred the "normal" Bombay to the Sapphire variety. If you get a chance, give New Amsterdam Gin a try. Very affordable, smooth, and distinctive.
Nice work Ralfy. I am quite a Gin fan and really appreciate the Gin review and the comments on Tonic. I quite enjoy the combination, but had stopped drinking Tonic due to the excessive sweetness and as you say the Chemical taste of the artificially sweetened tonics is real bad.
I'm a big fan of gin and tonics with a dash of Angostura Bitters added, as recommended by Hemingway - a simple, reasonably cheap way to add increased complexity to the G&T!
Cheers Ralfy, A few suggestions for the next time you stroll down Gin close: Caorunn and Old Raj (Blue) I'm also making my own tonic water, quite easy and very bitter; Cinchona bark. However, one has to be prudent since Quinine is not the best thing to have too much of. Mind you too many crisps are not good for you either.
Ralfy, I would love to see you review some finer Vodkas as well! When I was in eastern Europe I tried one called Russian Standard which I liked very much so I bought one home with me! Even if you don't do that one, it's very interesting to see you go beyond the whisky reviews sometimes and the historic background you provide is very fascinating! :)
I'll second Horst Horstens' comment about a Botanist Gin review. Would love to hear your take more than anyone else's. Perhaps this is an instance where a change may not be quite as good as a rest, although that is definitely some solid advice. ;) Thanks for all the good stories, seminars, reviews, chats. You ought to be on TV.
Hey Ralfy! Thanx again-greatstuff! Roadtrip!!...goin up to 'Fingerlakes Distillery' upstate NY tomorrow. My first distillery excursion! Yea this chappy is right smack in the middle of "Finger Lakes wine country". A rarity indeed!! Really excited, as u may've noticed! Bet you CAN remember your very first distillery right?! This oughta be fun. Hope to pick a few "rarities"as they pride themslves as a 'Craft Distillery', the McKenzie brothers own/run it, "by hand"&that speaks volumes. cheers Ralfy
Am in luck.Received a bottle of Tanquery Ten a few days back. Hopefully will open it soon. Also hope you take on vodka as it seems to be highly marketed & have not been able to see any major diff, although i've never tried them with a mindset to try & understand them. Thanks as always Cheers
super stuff Ralfy, Gin is my favorite white spirit and everyone back then was looking at me weird when I ask to drink my hendricks gin neat ;-) will definitely try out your variations ! you are so on point with you comments and tidbits about the background of gin, my gin bottle has been staring at me for too long and will cheer to your vlog tonite with a good glass!
As a big gin fan, this as a really interesting video. Thanks for the interesting suggestions for additives to a gin and tonic. I'm trying the absinthe today.
I just bought a bottle of Hendrick's because it was on special offer in my local store. I'm not getting everything you do in smell and taste but I'm really enjoying it. Its fruity, refreshing and really interesting due to its complex herbal notes. Thank you, ralfy for broaden my horizon! =)
Hi ralfy, i am looking to buy my grandfather a bottle of gin for christmas. He usually drinks gordons/bombay sapphire with tonic, and was looking to get something a bit more special, while trying to keep it < £30. What would you recommend?
Have you tried The Botanist by Bruichladdich? I tried some at the distillery and was blown away by how interesting it was... not really had gin before, but will probably get a bottle of that very soon!
Well done indeed! Good call on the absinthe in particular. If you're ever in the U.S., pick up one of the gins from North Shore (housed right here in Chicago) - the No. 6 in particular is absolutely stunning. Also, try an Old Tom gin sometime!! Ransom from Oregon makes a very good one, and it's certainly an interesting change from the London Dry style.
Wonderful. Watched this from start to finish. I love gin as well as whisky. Wondered what you thought of gin. Talking of liquid smoke, I read that you can create a "smoky martini" by adding a dash of Islay whisky (instead of vermouth) to gin (probably finished with a lemon twist rather than an olive in this case!). Looking forward to the young peaty Islays!
Excellent and refreshing review, Ralfy! I like those three Gin's! I also enjoy some Dutch Jenevers, such as Bols classic and (neat and with old Duch cheese) the more flavoured and very traditionnal Corenwynn (Wheat wine, I believe). I am now using the strongly lime flavoured Tanqueray Rangpur for my Gin and tonics. So refreshing! Now, there has been way too much marketing with Gins in recent years, particularly in Spain, and the prices of some distillates and tonics seems to me way too high,
I'm a martini man. There are so many brands of gin to choose from: the premium London Dry gins [two dozen or so] or the elegant Plymouth English dry gin, which is distilled in its namesake city. Either Dolin or Noilly Prat dry vermouth to compliment the gin. Add whatever garnish [lemon twist, olives or onions] suits you. Sir Winston Churchill favoured his martini mixed with Plymouth [although Boodles disputes this]; the American President, F D Roosevelt, also preferred Plymouth. He added two olives to the garnishment, which is what we call a Franklin martini.
Love the gin review, Ralfy. I was a bit surprised that you didn't touch on the popular gin mixed drink Tom Collins (although you did mention Old Tom). A few items I was hoping you might review in the future: Glenmorangie Lasanta, rums (particularly Sailor Jerry, Kraken, and Stroh).
You mentioned your upcoming mini series on young peaty Islas...Any chance the new Kilchoman Machir Bay is among your 3 recommended? Keeping my fingers crossed as I've heard good things and have a bottle on the way! Looking forward to the series regardless.
Excellent review Ralfy and you're spot on regarding the poor quality of tonic water in the market, you can indeed taste the chemical in it, almost like aspirin. Any chance you can review "The Botanist" from Bruichladdich?
The Old Tom gin is widely called the missing link since it's a combination of the London Dry and Dutch style gins. I think Ransom is one of the few that is aging their gin in oak barrels which makes it sweeter without adding sugar.
I love the red cap on the Bombay Dry. I have a bottle of that in my bar now but it's a plain-Jane cap. I love gin as much as Scotch. Thanks for this review!
For those DIY type, you can easily make your own tonic. Mind you it is red, not clear due to the color of the quinine powder (red chinchona) FYI, Victoria Gin offers an Oaken Gin that I am anxious to try.
Jenever is the English variant of Dutch young genever. Is there an old genever review coming up? Would be nice to see you review and compare it. Korenwijn and moutwijn may also be nice to do with that. I do enjoy a good korenwijn.
Apart from Whisky I found Rum to be my number one spirit. Putting the Ron Zacapa Solera (23 yo), the Ron Matusalem (15 yo), the Plantation Rum "Old Reserve" Barbeidos and the Bristol Classic Jamaica 2002 next to each other, you'll cover a giant range of different charakters, almost as wide as the Whisky world.
hendricks is 44% in Canada (unless our measurement is different, very possible). The others not available (bombay sapphire is very common of course, and very good). I'm a big fan of the gin martini as well, bombay saphire and hendricks being my favourite. There is a bar in montreal that serves hendricks with artisanal tonic as well.
an idea for whisky drinkers might be to try sipsmiths london dry gin which is 100% barley like scotch. its also one of the only gins on the market made with a 100% copper still which makes for a cleaner spirit
Hello, Ralfy you could try your G&T with a dash of Chinkiang vinegar. It´s a chinese rice wine vinegar and meet the aged, smokiness of balsamic with a hint of saltiness, minerality. Worked a whole lot for me. From your brazilian fan, cheers!
Greetings from down here in Australia Ralfy. Having a Welsh background made me curious about Welsh whiskey's. I found that only recently Wales has been producing a whiskey called Penderyn. Unfortunately I would have to have it imported if I were to try it. Since you're the master at this it would be good to get your opinion on it. If ever you get a chance, haha. Cheers, Tom
Hey Ralfy, what do you think about Bruichladdich’s Botanist Islay Gin? It would be great if you could review this one also! I think i would fit very well in your vlog because of the distillation in a Whisky-Distillery. Sláinte
Hey malt mate good to see ya back online. we were beginning 2 think you had packed it in )-: ahgg, that'd be a sad day Ralfy as you know how much u are respected 4your exp.& knowlwdge not to mention integrity. NE ways,not very big on gins as of late but said the same thing re: Bourbon & Canadians b4 acquiring Elj Crg&Forty Creek both of which were satisfying sojourns & appreciated additions here at the maltbar. Thanx4 that. Just promise you'll give us a heads B4 journeys end. Okay?! cheers Ralfy
Ralfy,since you mentioned the british navy rum rations,have you reviewed Pusser's British Navy Rum?I found it to be more like a bourbon or whisky,your thoughts.
Hi Ralfy. I am looking forward to hear your testing notes about "The Botanist" and I have one question for you dear malt mate: Have you tried Lidls "Castelgy London Dry Gin"? It is very cheap where I live (around 6-7 pounds) and app. very decent..
mirqo i had several bottles of castelgy gin and i think it's fairly decent stuff comparable to Gordon's. it's not the best gin on the planet but most bang for the buck
Most interesting gin & tonic I've ever had was a very small splash of huckleberry mead in a gin & tonic. Sounds gross - but it was actually pretty good. Again, it's just a small small splash, because the huckleberry mead is very strong and sweet, and too much could definitely drown your g&t.
We've got a local distillery around here that makes a decent gin, or at least this bottle is. They do two types, one is available year round and the other changes every year.
Bombay Original is my go to gin. Great stuff, I originally tried it because I heard it mentioned in a few Warren Zevon songs, and now I pick always some up between single malts. 90/100 is definitely not overrating it
Hey Ralfy have you ever gotten a chance to try Boodles London Dry? Ive only had it once at a tasting and I personally enjoyed it, this coming from someone who doesn't prefer gins, and I'm wondering what your thoughts are?
My favorite gin is Ransom Old Tom gin. Instead of adding sugars like many old toms do, Ransom finishes it's old tom in Pinot Noir casks to get it's sweetness.
Ralfy, I was surprised not to see Old Raj by Cadenhead's on this gin review. Very nice. And I concur with previous posters that The Botanist is a good one too, the selling of Bruichladdich to Remy Cointreau notwithstanding. Interesting on the ABV of Hendricks in that regular strength of Plymouth clocks in at a similar 41.2%. I wonder if here is some historical/cultural story behind gin of that strength range.
Ralfy, I would highly recommend Knickerbocker Gin. It has to be the best gin I've ever had. I like Hendrick's and I like Old Raj, but Knickerbocker just blows them out of the water (in my opinion). Made and only sold locally in Holland, Michigan, I have to have bottles shipped to me in Los Angeles. Very much worth a try!
Hi Ralfy, here in calif (bay area), we have a couple of local well crafted gin makers: 209 and St. Georges, I wonder if they crossed the atlantic towards your side yet. And for your 300th vlog malt mention, how 'bout "malty monks of modern libation"?
Ralphy I Love Your Videos and Your Character I hope You Live 120 Years old!!!!!! You are Very Fun and Informative on Different Varieties of Proof Liquors!!!!!! Great Videos Sincerely Thomas Raymond of Fresno California U.S.A.
Any opinion on Boodles? As a fan of John D MacDonald's Travis McGee mysteries, I can't help but feel curious (Mr. McGee was a drinker of Plymouth, as well, so it's good to know that one passes muster).
Great gins there, Ralfy (especially Plymouth). Have you tried Brecon Special Reserve Gin? It's a Welsh one, made at the same distillery as Penderyn whisky.
Haven't tried that liquid smoke bit before. I've tried the vinegar and the absinthe one before, though both of these options to me don't seem to suit just _any_ gin. For instance, I didn't much care for the vinegar in Hendrick's, but absinthe, Angostura, Peychaud's, or just plain squeeze of fresh lime are all really good... Balsamic is pretty good in Bombay (Sapphire included), Boodles, and Gilbey's in my experience. Kind of surprised you didn't mention the rose notes in Hendrick's -- that's pretty dominant as well -- I find it more dominant than the cucumber/melon qualities to be honest. Personally, I would also rate Plymouth a little higher than Bombay Dry, but that's a difference in taste, to be honest. Plymouth is still my favorite gin for a gimlet (and I think it's also the "original" gimlet gin) and my typically also for a Collins (though a proper Genever would be better, but they're hard to find). Any thoughts on the barrel-aged gins? I've yet to try them (again, because they're not that easy to find).
Bryan Usrey I know this is old and all, but gin is exploding at the moment. Warner Edwards Harrington Dry is my favourite but we also like Brokers and Burleigh
I personally can't stand Bombay dry. As Ralfy said, it doesn't have that proper gin flavor, and, at least to me, has a weird earthy, woody flavor that I don't really like. I prefer Beefeaters or Gilbeys (I know it's bottom shelf, but I like the strong juniper flavor).
+anphha Used to think that Bombay Sapphire was 'the cat's meow' until I was introduced to Brokers, Tanqueray and, later on, Plymouth gin. I've never touched the blue bottle since.
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"The quality of gin is as good as it's ever been" "there were many people who would go mad, blind and then die" :D
LOL
To this day...still one of my favorite Ralfy reviews! ;)
you are such a wealth of knowledge, I really appreciate videos like this from you
That explains why you suddenly arrived on my tablet from 13 years ago! Good stuff 😁🇬🇧👍
Hi Ralfy, first off, a big thank you, your reviews motivated me to go from having my whisky as an "and coke" drink to trying out some of the truly wonderful single malts and blends out there (though they can be hard to find in Australia!). I have been a big fan of gin, and I have to say my two favourites are Hendricks and The Botanist by Bruichladdich (and I'm a fan of the 10 year old Laddie too!). Keep up the videos, they always inspire me to try something new (in moderation of course)
when is a TV station going to pick up this program?
"Don't think you can make create your own Lagavulin out a bottle of Bells" Hahahahaha, brilliant. Was laughing at that for a solid 10 minutes
Brilliant video Ralfy. Don't know how I missed this one before. Was at a gin festival in Edinburgh at the weekend (now Apr 2019) and really got my eyes opened. I liked a g&t from time to time but wasn't a massive fan. But since starting to really enjoy whisky, I found trying different gins a great experience. There was a seaweed one (who's name and origin escape me) which I was particularly fond of. Gin seems to be a very large playing field. Cheers.
I really enjoyed this video. Great intro and great suggestions for gin and tonic additives. And now I'm really looking forward to the next mini-series. Thanks for giving me a fun start to the day.
Love Gin! Glad to see you review it! A personal favorite is Old Raj, which has those Indian dry characteristics with a little more juniper, and my home state's own (Colorado, USA) Leopold Bros. which has those flowery, herbal notes similar to Hendrick's. Thanks again for a great review!
I don't like the taste of any spirit by itself, but Gin is definitely my favorite. A good way to mix it is about 300ml of tonic or ginger ale with 3 shots of gin, and I like to add some lime juice mixed with sugar to make it sweeter; about 50ml. it's actually a really good drink, because gin has herbal berry aftertaste that I really love. Gin cocktails are by far the best of anything I have ever tasted, and it is the only spirit that adds good flavor to a drink in my opinion.
Excellent review, mate! New subscriber here and very much looking forward to checking out the rest of your reviews on Scotch whiskey. I bought my dad a bottle of Old Pulteney for his birthday after watching your review. I'm a Hendrick's Gin fan and love to make a martini with it! Glad you like it, too, and gave it a very high rating. Cheers from sunny California
Last time I was at my favourite bar and enjoying my G&T (made with Beefeater gin), I was wondering why it had a pink colouring, which it never had before. Now, I know that tonic water glows under black light, but as there was no black light anywhere, I couldn't make any sense of it. Also forgot to ask my bartender about it. Now I finally know, thanks to Ralfy, that they must have added some Angostura Bitter. Which is great, because you wouldn't find many bars in my region who'd bother with it.
Always such a wealth of knowledge. Throughly enjoy your reviews! Hendricks is outstanding and one of my favorites. I think its best neat.
Enjoying a gin moment. Went back to the vault- found this video. Thank you. Hope you're enjoying your week. Also, thank you for the overt and absolute shatting on Diageo this week. I posted this comment here so they would not see it on the recent videos. Don't want to get the Whiskey multinationals too pissed. I went to Bowmore- and several other distilleries- this past summer. It/macallan were the absolute soul-sucking malt tours. I stopped buying them entirely because of it. Believe it or not- Edradour won the whole lot. Very special place and people there. Haven't seen springbank yet. I will next time i go to Scotland. Best wishes!
Thanks for the reviews and tips Ralfy! I love all 3 of these gins. Always preferred the "normal" Bombay to the Sapphire variety. If you get a chance, give New Amsterdam Gin a try. Very affordable, smooth, and distinctive.
Nice work Ralfy. I am quite a Gin fan and really appreciate the Gin review and the comments on Tonic. I quite enjoy the combination, but had stopped drinking Tonic due to the excessive sweetness and as you say the Chemical taste of the artificially sweetened tonics is real bad.
I'm a big fan of gin and tonics with a dash of Angostura Bitters added, as recommended by Hemingway - a simple, reasonably cheap way to add increased complexity to the G&T!
Cheers Ralfy,
A few suggestions for the next time you stroll down Gin close: Caorunn and Old Raj (Blue)
I'm also making my own tonic water, quite easy and very bitter; Cinchona bark. However, one has to be prudent since Quinine is not the best thing to have too much of. Mind you too many crisps are not good for you either.
Ralfy, I would love to see you review some finer Vodkas as well! When I was in eastern Europe I tried one called Russian Standard which I liked very much so I bought one home with me! Even if you don't do that one, it's very interesting to see you go beyond the whisky reviews sometimes and the historic background you provide is very fascinating! :)
I'll second Horst Horstens' comment about a Botanist Gin review. Would love to hear your take more than anyone else's. Perhaps this is an instance where a change may not be quite as good as a rest, although that is definitely some solid advice.
;)
Thanks for all the good stories, seminars, reviews, chats. You ought to be on TV.
happy to help with the malt-moments !
Hey Ralfy!
Thanx again-greatstuff!
Roadtrip!!...goin up to 'Fingerlakes Distillery' upstate NY tomorrow.
My first distillery excursion! Yea this chappy is right smack in the middle of "Finger Lakes wine country". A rarity indeed!! Really excited, as u may've noticed! Bet you CAN remember your very first distillery right?! This oughta be fun. Hope to pick a few "rarities"as they pride themslves as a 'Craft Distillery', the McKenzie brothers own/run it, "by hand"&that speaks volumes.
cheers Ralfy
Am in luck.Received a bottle of Tanquery Ten a few days back. Hopefully will open it soon.
Also hope you take on vodka as it seems to be highly marketed & have not been able to see any major diff, although i've never tried them with a mindset to try & understand them.
Thanks as always
Cheers
super stuff Ralfy, Gin is my favorite white spirit and everyone back then was looking at me weird when I ask to drink my hendricks gin neat ;-) will definitely try out your variations ! you are so on point with you comments and tidbits about the background of gin, my gin bottle has been staring at me for too long and will cheer to your vlog tonite with a good glass!
This is an excellent video. Was very interested in learning more about gin and you have been a great help!
As a big gin fan, this as a really interesting video. Thanks for the interesting suggestions for additives to a gin and tonic. I'm trying the absinthe today.
I just bought a bottle of Hendrick's because it was on special offer in my local store. I'm not getting everything you do in smell and taste but I'm really enjoying it.
Its fruity, refreshing and really interesting due to its complex herbal notes.
Thank you, ralfy for broaden my horizon! =)
As always..very educational and enlighting...thanks for a well done review Ralph....
Hi ralfy, i am looking to buy my grandfather a bottle of gin for christmas. He usually drinks gordons/bombay sapphire with tonic, and was looking to get something a bit more special, while trying to keep it < £30. What would you recommend?
Great review, Ralfy.
And I ususally adding a drop of Cointreau to my gin-tonic. Works perfect.
But adding vegetable note is quite interesting!
Have you tried The Botanist by Bruichladdich? I tried some at the distillery and was blown away by how interesting it was... not really had gin before, but will probably get a bottle of that very soon!
Well done indeed! Good call on the absinthe in particular. If you're ever in the U.S., pick up one of the gins from North Shore (housed right here in Chicago) - the No. 6 in particular is absolutely stunning. Also, try an Old Tom gin sometime!! Ransom from Oregon makes a very good one, and it's certainly an interesting change from the London Dry style.
Wonderful. Watched this from start to finish. I love gin as well as whisky. Wondered what you thought of gin. Talking of liquid smoke, I read that you can create a "smoky martini" by adding a dash of Islay whisky (instead of vermouth) to gin (probably finished with a lemon twist rather than an olive in this case!). Looking forward to the young peaty Islays!
Excellent and refreshing review, Ralfy! I like those three Gin's! I also enjoy some Dutch Jenevers, such as Bols classic and (neat and with old Duch cheese) the more flavoured and very traditionnal Corenwynn (Wheat wine, I believe). I am now using the strongly lime flavoured Tanqueray Rangpur for my Gin and tonics. So refreshing! Now, there has been way too much marketing with Gins in recent years, particularly in Spain, and the prices of some distillates and tonics seems to me way too high,
I'm a martini man. There are so many brands of gin to choose from: the premium London Dry gins [two dozen or so] or the elegant Plymouth English dry gin, which is distilled in its namesake city. Either Dolin or Noilly Prat dry vermouth to compliment the gin. Add whatever garnish [lemon twist, olives or onions] suits you. Sir Winston Churchill favoured his martini mixed with Plymouth [although Boodles disputes this]; the American President, F D Roosevelt, also preferred Plymouth. He added two olives to the garnishment, which is what we call a Franklin martini.
Love the gin review, Ralfy. I was a bit surprised that you didn't touch on the popular gin mixed drink Tom Collins (although you did mention Old Tom).
A few items I was hoping you might review in the future: Glenmorangie Lasanta, rums (particularly Sailor Jerry, Kraken, and Stroh).
Very interesting Ralfy - thanks. That Fever Tree stuff is nearly as expensive as the Gin!
Well done Ralpy another great vid! just changed it up a bit with some good gin a few weeks ago rather that whiskey, great stuff for summer.
U know so many smells that's a talent all on its own
You mentioned your upcoming mini series on young peaty Islas...Any chance the new Kilchoman Machir Bay is among your 3 recommended? Keeping my fingers crossed as I've heard good things and have a bottle on the way! Looking forward to the series regardless.
Thank you Ralfy! Really glad to see a gin review.
What do you think of the canadian glencairn whisky glass for mixed drinks? Thanks again!
Excellent review Ralfy and you're spot on regarding the poor quality of tonic water in the market, you can indeed taste the chemical in it, almost like aspirin. Any chance you can review "The Botanist" from Bruichladdich?
The Old Tom gin is widely called the missing link since it's a combination of the London Dry and Dutch style gins. I think Ransom is one of the few that is aging their gin in oak barrels which makes it sweeter without adding sugar.
The bit on tonic is so true. I can only find Canada dry and Schweppes. Great video.
I love the red cap on the Bombay Dry. I have a bottle of that in my bar now but it's a plain-Jane cap. I love gin as much as Scotch. Thanks for this review!
Ralfy, I must say that I very much enjoy the bit of history and storytelling along with the spirits' review.
For those DIY type, you can easily make your own tonic. Mind you it is red, not clear due to the color of the quinine powder (red chinchona)
FYI, Victoria Gin offers an Oaken Gin that I am anxious to try.
Jenever is the English variant of Dutch young genever.
Is there an old genever review coming up? Would be nice to see you review and compare it.
Korenwijn and moutwijn may also be nice to do with that. I do enjoy a good korenwijn.
I liked this, you're pretty chill sir, keep it up, good luck from the rural southern United States.
ralfy can smell colors and hear tastes! he is the oracle of distilled spirits!
I'm really enjoying the history lessons along with your reviews. Good stuff.
Apart from Whisky I found Rum to be my number one spirit. Putting the Ron Zacapa Solera (23 yo), the Ron Matusalem (15 yo), the Plantation Rum "Old Reserve" Barbeidos and the Bristol Classic Jamaica 2002 next to each other, you'll cover a giant range of different charakters, almost as wide as the Whisky world.
hendricks is 44% in Canada (unless our measurement is different, very possible). The others not available (bombay sapphire is very common of course, and very good). I'm a big fan of the gin martini as well, bombay saphire and hendricks being my favourite. There is a bar in montreal that serves hendricks with artisanal tonic as well.
an idea for whisky drinkers might be to try sipsmiths london dry gin which is 100% barley like scotch. its also one of the only gins on the market made with a 100% copper still which makes for a cleaner spirit
Any thoughts on Cork Dry Gin from Ireland?
And I'm glad to see a Plymouth Gin in your selection. Brilliant stuff :)
Personal favourite that I've discovered recently. Sipsmith! Quite a story behind the small batch distillery based in London as well.
My Auntie ( God bless her ) always went to bed with a glass of warm milk and a healthy slug of Gin.
Mixed or separately? Milk and gin...uhhhhhh.
Great review Ralfy. Had the Dry Fly Gin the other day. Loved it for sipping.
Would you that we can make our own gin by flavoring vodka?
I love this stuff, thank you for the review !
Hello, Ralfy
you could try your G&T with a dash of Chinkiang vinegar. It´s a chinese rice wine vinegar and meet the aged, smokiness of balsamic with a hint of saltiness, minerality. Worked a whole lot for me.
From your brazilian fan, cheers!
Greetings from down here in Australia Ralfy.
Having a Welsh background made me curious about Welsh whiskey's.
I found that only recently Wales has been producing a whiskey called Penderyn.
Unfortunately I would have to have it imported if I were to try it.
Since you're the master at this it would be good to get your opinion on it.
If ever you get a chance, haha.
Cheers,
Tom
I like Hendrick's! A bartender friend of mine usually recommends it to customers and I've never heard of any of them being disappointed!
Hey Ralfy,
what do you think about Bruichladdich’s Botanist Islay Gin?
It would be great if you could review this one also! I think i would fit very well in your vlog because of the distillation in a Whisky-Distillery.
Sláinte
I absolutely love Gin and Tonic with slices of lime. Whiskey is my normal drink of choice, but gin and tonic is so refreshing on a hot day!
I have to say I'm very pleased with your detailed introduction to Gin,
who doesn't like a bit of history when talking about alcoholics?
Excellent review Ralfy... educational!
Hey malt mate good to see ya back online. we were beginning 2 think you had packed it in )-: ahgg, that'd be a sad day Ralfy as you know how much u are respected 4your exp.& knowlwdge not to mention integrity.
NE ways,not very big on gins as of late but said the same thing re: Bourbon & Canadians b4 acquiring Elj Crg&Forty Creek both of which were satisfying sojourns & appreciated additions here at the maltbar. Thanx4 that.
Just promise you'll give us a heads B4 journeys end. Okay?!
cheers Ralfy
Ralfy,since you mentioned the british navy rum rations,have you reviewed Pusser's British Navy Rum?I found it to be more like a bourbon or whisky,your thoughts.
Hi Ralfy. I am looking forward to hear your testing notes about "The Botanist" and I have one question for you dear malt mate: Have you tried Lidls "Castelgy London Dry Gin"? It is very cheap where I live (around 6-7 pounds) and app. very decent..
mirqo i had several bottles of castelgy gin and i think it's fairly decent stuff comparable to Gordon's. it's not the best gin on the planet but most bang for the buck
Thank you mate. Cheers.
Most interesting gin & tonic I've ever had was a very small splash of huckleberry mead in a gin & tonic. Sounds gross - but it was actually pretty good. Again, it's just a small small splash, because the huckleberry mead is very strong and sweet, and too much could definitely drown your g&t.
We've got a local distillery around here that makes a decent gin, or at least this bottle is. They do two types, one is available year round and the other changes every year.
Have you tried Peychaud's bitters, Ralfy? They have a dominant anise note, but I'm not sure how they would compare to absinthe when used in gin.
Hi Ralfy, Love the videos mate! With Whisky Review 300 looming, have you got something special in mind to review??
Bombay Original is my go to gin. Great stuff, I originally tried it because I heard it mentioned in a few Warren Zevon songs, and now I pick always some up between single malts. 90/100 is definitely not overrating it
I wonder what your thoughts would be in the Aussie BeGin gin compared to the English Jinzu and the Gin Lane 1752 ?
Hey Ralfy have you ever gotten a chance to try Boodles London Dry? Ive only had it once at a tasting and I personally enjoyed it, this coming from someone who doesn't prefer gins, and I'm wondering what your thoughts are?
8 years ago. The knowledge is incredibly valuable.
Nice tips at the end. Never would've thought to put liquid smoke in a bloody G&T.
My favorite gin is Ransom Old Tom gin. Instead of adding sugars like many old toms do, Ransom finishes it's old tom in Pinot Noir casks to get it's sweetness.
Ralfy, I was surprised not to see Old Raj by Cadenhead's on this gin review. Very nice. And I concur with previous posters that The Botanist is a good one too, the selling of Bruichladdich to Remy Cointreau notwithstanding. Interesting on the ABV of Hendricks in that regular strength of Plymouth clocks in at a similar 41.2%. I wonder if here is some historical/cultural story behind gin of that strength range.
Hey Ralfy, love the review but i tend to like more junipery guns. What do you think of the tanqueray brand?
Ralfy, I would highly recommend Knickerbocker Gin. It has to be the best gin I've ever had. I like Hendrick's and I like Old Raj, but Knickerbocker just blows them out of the water (in my opinion).
Made and only sold locally in Holland, Michigan, I have to have bottles shipped to me in Los Angeles. Very much worth a try!
I like those cucumber notes in my gin. I actually sometimes will muddle some cucumber slices in the shaker when i have a martini
Good recommendation on the Hendrick's! I, however, seem to prefer it neat.
Hi Ralfy, here in calif (bay area), we have a couple of local well crafted gin makers: 209 and St. Georges, I wonder if they crossed the atlantic towards your side yet. And for your 300th vlog malt mention, how 'bout "malty monks of modern libation"?
Thank you for an enriching experience, as always. 👌
Fever Tree is fantastic stuff. It's not as bitter as what Ralfy is going for, but if you want a great G&T, go with it.
Ralphy I Love Your Videos and Your Character I hope You Live 120 Years old!!!!!! You are Very Fun and Informative on Different Varieties of Proof Liquors!!!!!! Great Videos Sincerely Thomas Raymond of Fresno California U.S.A.
Any opinion on Boodles? As a fan of John D MacDonald's Travis McGee mysteries, I can't help but feel curious (Mr. McGee was a drinker of Plymouth, as well, so it's good to know that one passes muster).
The best buzz I've had in a long time
Old Dutch Jenever was made with Barley and Rye.... I like the heavy Ryed ones for there dry taste!
Any chance of seeing some absinthe reviews in future? It's a rather DIFFERENT and complex spirit in itself I find.
Ralfy, are you saying "Fever Tree" tonic is no good? Just that I've been trying to get my hands on some.
I just love Bombay Sapphire...Very nice vid Ralfy
Great gins there, Ralfy (especially Plymouth). Have you tried Brecon Special Reserve Gin? It's a Welsh one, made at the same distillery as Penderyn whisky.
Haven't tried that liquid smoke bit before. I've tried the vinegar and the absinthe one before, though both of these options to me don't seem to suit just _any_ gin. For instance, I didn't much care for the vinegar in Hendrick's, but absinthe, Angostura, Peychaud's, or just plain squeeze of fresh lime are all really good... Balsamic is pretty good in Bombay (Sapphire included), Boodles, and Gilbey's in my experience. Kind of surprised you didn't mention the rose notes in Hendrick's -- that's pretty dominant as well -- I find it more dominant than the cucumber/melon qualities to be honest.
Personally, I would also rate Plymouth a little higher than Bombay Dry, but that's a difference in taste, to be honest. Plymouth is still my favorite gin for a gimlet (and I think it's also the "original" gimlet gin) and my typically also for a Collins (though a proper Genever would be better, but they're hard to find).
Any thoughts on the barrel-aged gins? I've yet to try them (again, because they're not that easy to find).
Wow. I once made a martini with absinthe and gin and it was lovely. I will have to try in with a G&T.
Bryan Usrey I know this is old and all, but gin is exploding at the moment. Warner Edwards Harrington Dry is my favourite but we also like Brokers and Burleigh
Loved the extra long review, Ralfy! You should do more of these! :)
Oh man, you had me at the TARDIS intro! :D
I prefer a straight shot of gin with a lager chaser. I'm a simple man.
I personally can't stand Bombay dry. As Ralfy said, it doesn't have that proper gin flavor, and, at least to me, has a weird earthy, woody flavor that I don't really like. I prefer Beefeaters or Gilbeys (I know it's bottom shelf, but I like the strong juniper flavor).
+anphha Used to think that Bombay Sapphire was 'the cat's meow' until I was introduced to Brokers, Tanqueray and, later on, Plymouth gin. I've never touched the blue bottle since.