New Amsterdam Gin
 

Tried searching for a Gin thread and struggled. OK I decided to be cheap and bought a bottle of New Amsterdam Gin. Definitely has an unusual flavor. Not sure I like it at all even when heavily loaded with Tonic. I am going to pay a bit more and switch back to Bombay Sapphire. Anyone else tried New Amsterdam - thoughts. What is your favorite Gin anyway?

I really like Gin Mare. First had it in Madrid last year and really loved the interesting flavours. I must admit the whole Hendricks and cucumber thing has passed me by. As important as the gin is, the tonic is equally important and it has to be Fever Tree for me.

New Amsterdam Gin
 

We normally drink Sapphire but on a visit to CA bought Sapphire East in the grocery store (how convenient that would be but not in NC). Really enjoyed the taste and costs the same as Sapphire. So if you want something a bit different you can try that. Also don't like the cucumber stuff.

Tried the New Amsterdam and Tonic with crushed cucumber last night. IMHO just OK - not that keen. I may give it one more try.

See above- I may give it another try but will do it with Hendricks.

Hendrick's, hands down. It's a Scottish distilled gin infused with rose and cucumber.

Bobette

New Amsterdam Gin
 

Mayfair gin is also quite good.

Blue Gin from Austria distilled by Hans Reisetbauer. Not cheap, but pure juniper on the nose.

New Amsterdam Gin
 

I agree about New Amsterdam...just doesn't taste right. My choices: Beefeater for gin & tonic (& a few splashes of bitters); Tangueray for Martini's. Hendricks is awesome and very unique but seems a waste to mix with anything. Excellent with tonic and a cucumber though.

New Amsterdam is good for the price... I mean, it's pretty darn cheap, and the alcohol "quality" is far above well.

If given the choice of any, I'd take Hendrick's, but Sapphire and reg. Bombay are good. Heck, even Gordon's (what my pops used to drink) always does me good.

In any case, I prefer genever, the Dutch version of gin.

I use New Amsterdam in gin screwdrivers/orange blossoms, and I have no problems with the taste. The "weirdness" aspect of the New Amsterdam taste is drowned out while the juniper remains, IMO. Then again, I am still on the poor college student psychology when it comes to alcohol, so my standards of acceptability are almost certainly lower than yours. However, is it going to replace Aviator or Plymouth in my opinion? Of course not.

New Amsterdam Gin
 

The Duke - Munich dry gin

I do only drink gin neat, so quality and taste is a concern for me. Usually I do always have a bottle of either Tanquery Ten, Sapphire or Hendrick's at home but getting around pick up more and more around the world like Brecon Special Reserve Gin or Botanic Premium London Dry Gin which i really like but which are not world wide recognized distilleries.

And of course being born and raised pretty close to the distillery, I always keep a bottle of "Steinhäger", but this is more based on local heritage than taste or quality ;)

Also quite nice but rare to get and on the more expensive side is the Botanica from the Falcon Spirits distillery in Richmon. I do always pick up a bottle if I'm around and really enjoy it.

I typically have the regular suspects already named: Bombay Sapphire, Hendricks, Tanquery 10. I have tried the Sapphire East...pretty good as well.

I recently got a bottle of Bulldog with high expectations, but it was just so-so.

Monkey 47 is a favorite, but haven't seen it for sale in the US. A special treat when I get to visit the LH First Class Lounges.

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...ey47_LHFCL.jpg

For Gin & Tonic, I am more focused on the tonic water instead of the gin. Makes a huge difference in the drink. There are several high-end tonics that have appeared on the shelves. The LH FCL/T have stepped up with a better tonic. Make sure to ask for it instead of the Schweppes.

I've been known to enjoy a good G&T occasionally, and IMO New Amsterdam is horrible. Of course this is just MY OPINION. Being a Colorado resident, I've been lucky enough to sample some of the local new craft gin distilleries. Some are very good. Another reason for folks to visit the state. :cool:

If I'm not mistaken, New Amsterdam gin is made without juniper, which is what makes it seem unusual to many gin fans, and its citrus note comes from oranges. I tried it and thought it was okay, but different; not what I want for gin and tonic.

I'm among those who don't see the point to buying expensive gin such as Bombay Sapphire or Hendricks if you're not going to drink it straight---which I don't; I only drink gin in gin and tonic. For that purpose, I think Beefeater and Gordon's are fine.

Prefered choices are Hendricks or Ungava which is a gin distilled with canadian arctic plants and berries.

But give me a G&T with bombay and i'll be happy as well!

I haven't seen it for sale yet, but there is hope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDEQURYm6AU

Thanks for that information - it makes sense and I agree.

BOLS Genever gin is my favourite and it has to be Fever Tree Tonic. Hard to find so Bombay is my next choice. Sip smiths is quite good as well.

Thanks for the link. It will be great to have the Monkey as an option here in the states.

I haven't had BOLS, so I will keep an eye out for it. I do like Fever Tree tonic very much. The Fentiman's tonic I had at the LH FCT was nice, but a bit more aggressive tasting then Fever Tree. Nice for a change, and a huge step up from Schweppes...but I think Fever Tree is still my favorite.

"Genever" and "Holland" gins tend to be over-loaded with aromatics for most US tastes, including mine. Additionally, some/many of them have been "sugared" to noticeable sweetness.

As noted up thread, I'm not convinced that "New Amsterdam" is totally without juniper, but it does seem loaded with other aromatics, certainly heavy on citrus, likely some type of orange peel.

Bad/inferior tonic has ruined more G&Ts than has gin, and it's a drink for which I need a lime segment, either "Persian" or preferably "Key".

I happen to like New Amsterdam. I tried it about a year ago and immediately made it my standard house gin, replacing Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire. I drink it primarily in G+Ts. I don't mind its sweet character there, and its citrus flavor means I don't need to add a twist of lime. I occasionally drink it straight, too. It's great for the price.

It has been found. Monkey 47 located at Party Source in Newport, KY (near Cincinnati). A relative is grabbing a bottle for me, so I will have in my hands shortly. They sent a photo so I know it is real...:D

^

I like New Amsterdam with tonic; the citrusy notes in the gin go well with the tonic (and the lime - hello?).

In martinis, I always do Plymouth. It's less juniper-y and I really, really like it. It's a Plymouth-style gin as opposed to the London Dry gins that are more common 'round these parts.

Has anyone tried Bombay Sapphire East? I find it interesting, slightly more aromatic than the regular Sapphire with the extra lemongrass and peppercorn notes.

Wow -no I have not - I must do

Although the Monkey 47 seems to have the right export strength, I'm more prone to buy some of Fentimans Tonic. Sounds like my taste. ^

http://www.fentimans.com/cocktail_mixers

Honestly, for a G&T the tonic is much more important to the taste then the various gin options.

Fentiman's was pretty good and worth a taste if available.

If you are looking for a better tonic "closer-to-home", Fever Tree is becoming widely available and is a big step up from Schweppes/Canada Dry.

http://www.fever-tree.com/us/our-drinks

I love Fever Tree. Q Tonic is also quite good (I'd say it's very similar to Fever Tree).

Recently had the opportunity to enjoy a couple of G&T's using Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water, Very tasteful !
^