Ginning It Up
The season for gin has returned—and not just because it makes a great summer cooler. With the resurgence of the cocktail culture, the drink’s complex flavors are being rediscovered. And the range of gins has never been wider, from the classic London dry to floral and fruity examples.
Beefeater: A paragon of London dry gin, Beefeater shouts out juniper, with citrus and a range of spice and star anise. (94 proof)
Bombay Sapphire: With dialed-back pine notes, Bombay features 10 aromatics—that include almond, lemon peel, licorice and orris root—all listed on the bottle. (94 proof)
The Botanist: This is local gin to the max with 22 handpicked botanicals—e.g., heather, spearmint, elderflower and thistle—all from Scotland’s island of Islay. (92 proof)
Hendricks: The Scottish pioneer of alternative gin brings cucumber and rose petals, plus lemon to the party. (88 proof)
Indoggo: The rapper Snoop Dogg’s take on his own lyric about “gin and juice” was to create a spirit swimming in fruit, with strawberry, citrus and lemon notes. (80 proof)
Plymouth: The lone remaining gin from Plymouth, England, it is a dry, piney, example with lemon, orange and vibrant earthy notes. (82.4 proof)
Roku: Essentially a floral gin with a twist. It includes cherry blossoms (sakura flowers) and teas sourced from Japan. (86 proof)
Tanqueray No. Ten: The standard Tanqueray is a classic London dry. The upscale No. Ten adds lime, orange and the slightly quirky grapefruit. (94.6 proof)
