I have done loads of googling and couldn't find an answer to this so I thought I would throw this one to the FTers given that there are so many gin soaked drunkards connoisseurs around here.
What's the difference between the Gordon's gin in the green bottles you get on these shores (including GC) and the clear bottled variety you seem to get in lounges outside the UK? I have always wondered.
I'm more of a tanquery man myself but needs must and I usually make up for the lack of quality with quantity.
In the UK Gordon's is sold in a distinctive green glass bottle; in all other markets it is sold in the original clear bottle design. Some airport duty free shops sell it in plastic bottles in the 75cl size.
Gordon's is sold in several different strengths depending on the market. Until as recently as 1992 the ABV in the UK was 40%, but it was then reduced from 40% to 37.5%, purportedly to bring Gordon's gin into line with other white spirits such as white rum and vodka, but in reality to save money[9] (note that the other leading brands of gin in the UK, Beefeater gin and Bombay Sapphire, are both 40% ABV in the UK). In the US, the strength is still 40% ABV. In continental Europe and in some duty free stores a 47.3% ABV version is sold. In New Zealand and Australia, as of 2011, it is sold at 37.2% alcohol by volume.[10]
And from the Gordon's website:
Quote:
The green party
Gordon's London Dry gin was originally produced in green bottles due to manufacturing constraints. Green, of course, remains the iconic bottle in the UK. Gordon's was transported in ceramic crocks up until the beginning of the 20th Century. Both green and clear glass bottles were used from 1903 onwards; the green for home and the clear for export markets.
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Gordon's is my preferred gin. With Schweppes (full fat) and lemon. None of this blue bottle, slimline and lime rubbish
The stuff you get in the duty free on the continent is 47.3%. This is what to go for. The ex-EU Gordon's is 43.7% which is acceptable. I have seen 40% examples on the continent. All of these arrive in the clear bottle.
The UK specimen is not worth buying. It is 37.5% and the flavour is not up to the mark. Opinion in drinking circles seem to agree that this is so that they pay less tax per bottle as 40% booze attracts a higher duty. Or you could believe the marketing waffle.
I have sampled Larios which can be rather acceptable if you are in an advanced state. But not before.
Impossibly hard to find - ie not even available at Heathrow but apparently easily available at silly places like the local off licence. I will pay good money to anyone passing thru SIN to bring me a bottle (or 2)
Impossibly hard to find - ie not even available at Heathrow but apparently easily available at silly places like the local off licence. I will pay good money to anyone passing thru SIN to bring me a bottle (or 2)
It's not the season... my London Sloes are sitting pretty in their bottles of gin (cheaper inferior Gin - after all - this is just presents ). I could only imagine the Gordon's wouldn't have picked their sloes until the first frosts in early October - so would be busy bottling now.
If you're ever on these shores in early Autumn 8Black i'd recommend a day Sloe picking - i'm sure a quick blast freeze will get them back to Singapore!
Anyway, post Uni work at Oddbins got me hooked on Plymouth Gin (http://www.plymouthgin.com/original/) and i've never looked back. Navy strength obviously. They also apparently do a Sloe Gin, but i've never seen it.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Bee
Anyway, post Uni work at Oddbins got me hooked on Plymouth Gin (http://www.plymouthgin.com/original/) and i've never looked back. Navy strength obviously. They also apparently do a Sloe Gin, but i've never seen it.
Plymouth Sloe is the daddy. Much better than the Gordon's equivalent.
Impossibly hard to find - ie not even available at Heathrow but apparently easily available at silly places like the local off licence. I will pay good money to anyone passing thru SIN to bring me a bottle (or 2)
Two useless facts about sloe gin...
They used to have it on the bar cart of Eastern Airways flights - never saw anyone partake.
The rooms at the Cary Arms in Devon are also furnished with a complimentary decanter of the stuff.
Programs: Back to BA Silver and heading southwards!!, several other less interesting cards...
Posts: 2,117
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Bee
Anyway, post Uni work at Oddbins got me hooked on Plymouth Gin (http://www.plymouthgin.com/original/) and i've never looked back. Navy strength obviously. They also apparently do a Sloe Gin, but i've never seen it.
Impossibly hard to find - ie not even available at Heathrow but apparently easily available at silly places like the local off licence. I will pay good money to anyone passing thru SIN to bring me a bottle (or 2)
4 bottles of Tanqueray + 6 pints of Sloes + 18 years laid down = the best sloe gin. Assuming you can wait that long.....
