Mumsnet Talk

My birthday is coming up, so feel entitled to treat myself to a lovely bottle all for me (will be my first taste post pregnancy)!

So..I like tanqueray (can't remember which one) and adore Hendricks. I do not drink it with tonic though mad prefer to mix with things like lemonade or elderflower presse.

What other brands might I enjoy? And any other mixer recommendations?

Ooh if you love Hendricks, then why not try another scottish one

The Botanist

I'm not a massive gin fan, but this is fabulous. It is made by one of the Islay malt whisky distilleries.

It's not cheap, but it is a treat!

Plymouth is gorgeous.

I always like the look of Penderyn gin, but then I am in Wales.

Oh I love Gin! Tanquray 10 is really good, as is Sipsmith. For everyday gin my choice is Cork Dry, but I've recently tried Plymouth which is different kind of gin altogether, sweeter, makes an amazing martini.

Bitter lemon is a good mixer, though I prefer a uality tonic or in a cocktail personally.

Sipsmith gin is yummy, as is Bathtub gin

Fever Tree tonic is also something I'd highly recommend

Ooh crossed post! Another Sipsmith fan

Have you tried gin and ginger ale? Gorgeous.

Plymouth Gin is the best. <gavel>

Bombay Sapphire. I like the bottle <shallow>

But really I'd have Tanqueray every day.

Ooh I love Hendricks

Have you tried Hestons one for Waitrose? It's earl grey and lemon

Oh and Bloom gin is nice too

Always with soda, and a cucumber stick!!

Plymouth yum yum!
Love the Hendricks too though

So many recommendations, thank you!

I think I definitely prefer the more floral flavours but remain open mouthed minded...

And this tonic business...should I persist? Will I find a tonic I like/goes better with certain gins or is tonic tonic?

Tanqueray 10 wins hands down over anything else I've tried and I've drunk a lot of gin

I like the one in a pretty blue bottle

At kobayashi's 'everyday gin'

I like Bombay sapphire or tanquary

Plymouth, Hendricks & Tanqueray and Fevertree (sp?) tonic - all welcome in my house

I like Tanqueray 10 and Bombay Sapphire but I find each of them suits a different type of drink.

Edinburgh gin?

I was planning to buy some for my dad for his birthday but he said he prefers Gordon's so I won't bother and will buy it for myself.

He wasn't impressed with the Hendricks that I bought for him, either.

So much gin, such a small liver!

Bloom is v light and floral. I think (may be wrong) that its elderflower based

I like boe. I dunno where it's from but it's laahvley.

Also I got a Scottish gin, Blackwood, for my birthday which is quite floe ally delicious.

Jack Cains Northumberland Gin with Fentimens Tonic is subtle but lovely and my very favourite.
Very NE drink (Fentimens is from Hexham) but lovely if you can get both (look online if you aren't from round here)
Schweps tonic is generally too strong with decent gin and masks the flavour.

For so many years Gordons was just fine. Then came Tanqueray, which was a bit posh... and then came Bombay, which blew away all other gins that I had tasted.

Now I hear there are better gins yet!

We are not on this earth for long, it sounds like I have already spent too many years drinking good gin, when I could have been drinking great gin!

I have not yet made an opinion on the best tonic, though I have enjoyed gin and ginger beer with cheap brands.

My current three favourites are Hendricks, Tanqueray Rangpur (which tastes subtly of limes) and Hoxton (which has a kind of coconut and grapefruit taste).

I always get Fevertree tonic to go with them.

I have never tried Plymouth. There is something about the branding of it that always put me off and made me think it was cheap gin for old ladies. I will try it as it such a good comments here.

I bought Hendricks once, wasn't wild about it for the cost. A bit too flowery.

I love Tanqueray 10, and I generally buy Gordons, Tanqueray Export or Bombay Sapphire, but I've gone off BB a bit. I only ever drink it with tonic, or I make Martinis. The thought of anything else in there just seems wrong.

Oh, except White Ladies. They are the bizz.

Inside ER Towers a 10 battle rages between me and DH.

Lime or lemon with a G&T.

say limes to agree with me

Bathtub and Botanist have both been mentioned - I love both of those.

The other one I've discovered recently is Ish, which is heavenly, especially with 1754 tonic.

Fentimans or Fevertree are better tonics to have with the more expensive gins, according to my local pub, which has a collection of about 100 gins.

Bombay with just a whiff of dry Martini (8:1 in favour of gin). Seriously chilled. Yumsville.

Can you please tell me where to find that little piece of heaven pub

Oh I am salivating in anticipation!

"Fentimans or Fevertree are better tonics to have with the more expensive gins, according to my local pub, which has a collection of about 100 gins."

If I ever get a SatNav, that pub would be on my fave list. (Is that how they work?)

Anyone heard of/been to the ginstitute in London?

Lime with G&T. I've been making mine with the juice of a lime as well as a slice as that makes it one of my 5 a day.

I had no idea that there are so many gins! I've been experimenting with gin that isn't Gordon's or supermarket own value brand and currently have a bottle of Greenall's in the fridge coz I like the shape of the bottle

Will I really appreciate different, and I'm assuming more expensive gins, if I'm planning on drowning it in supermarket tonic and lime juice?

Haha at just noticing someone with the username WonkyLegs on this thread. How apt.

It's a shame Stratters is not here. She likes to neck back sample a good gin. We promised ourselves an MN Gin sampling Meet Up once - anyone remember that? It never happened.

However, it's worth mentioning again, that we should all be allocated a particular brand to bring along and then get bladdered have a very serious tasting and critiquing session, with proper notes and everything.

Highgate Gin is good for a special occasion. And if you wanted something a bit different, I had an amazing cocktail yesterday, made with Damson Gin, sugar syrup and soda. It was wonderful!!!

Hark at you lot, you bunch of lushes!

I once famously did a market research for Gordons and was required to taste lots of other gins. I arrived sober, with not a penny to my name and left 2 hours later, pissed, with £40 in my pocket and not a clue what gin was what!

In short, I think I like them all!

Sipsmith and Fevertree tonic is yum with lime.

Plymouth is just yum. Also, if you go to the distillery, you get a tour from a very enthusiastic bloke that looks remarkably like Derren Brown!

I can't drink it any more, but there's a very fancy gin made with frankincense and called 'sacred gin', which my mate says is amazing if you like the smell of incense: sacredspiritscompany.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=50

I think gin is nicest with a dash of elderflower cordial, a squeeze of lime and topped up with tonic.

Our gin nights always seem to involve Bombay Sapphire...

Sacred Gin is the one made in Highgate that I referred to (forgot its real name isn't Highgate Gin!!) my brother is taking me to the Ginstitute for my bday in march, can't wait!!

Oops, sorry carolra, should have noticed that!

I'd love to know if it's as good as it sounds - the ingredients sound almost like perfume.

I am itching to go to Ginstitute - just trying to justify the £200 it would cost for me + dp.
I am intrigued to see if I can make myself a decent recipe

Ooh sacred spirit sounds amazing!

I reckon a Mnet ginstitute field trip is in order...

Carolra - you must report back!

Sacred spirit do a Christmas pudding gin!
<faints>

Sacred gin is lovely. We bought some for our rector for his birthday - he's the official churchy-person for some gin society (I was paying a lot of attention when he told us, as you can see) and when we saw it in Fortnums I had to buy it. They gave us a little taste and it was lovely - I always think its a sign of a good gin if you can drink it neat!

Otherwise I love Hendricks and Sipsmith, and have Bombay for my throwing gin. Loathe Hoxton gin though - though I may like it if I was expecting it. Someone handed me a "g&t" and it tasted like Malibu. Bleurgh.

It's DH's birthday today and I have finally found what to get him with Ginstitute. Thanks for the inspiration!

Here's another Scottish one you might like: Caorunn - served with slice of red apple Mmmm...

Plymouth. Every time. Twist of lime. Gorgeous.

Tanqueray is the pinnacle of gins, and Tanqueray 10 is worth splashing out on for a special occasion.

If you can find it, Leopold's is lovely - it's an American small batch gin, which I was rather sceptical about (I've never thought of America as a gin-appreciating nation), but it is superb. I like Edinburgh Gin too.

Bombay Sapphire is hideous, and tastes like paint stripper. William Chase is even worse.

As far as tonic goes, I generally stick with schweppes - I don't want anything with too much flavour to mask the gin.

I've just bought some tanquaray export to have a taste of. I will report back once DS's are in bed to let you know. All in the name of product testing for MN

Aldi gin and tonic works for me x

I like Tanquery but I also like Greenall's. I also like lime in it or a dash of elderflower cordial. The best tonic is the Waitrose one.

fellatio what a great idea, it should be in Plymouth though then we could meet at the gin distillery and hear how Plymouth Gin is made and get a sample I think Plymouth Gin is the best

Another vote for Bathtub. Also Brockman's - smells of berries and is lovely with elderflower cordial and tonic.

Also, next year for an advent calendar I want this: www.masterofmalt.com/gin/drinks-by-the-dram/the-ginvent-calendar-gin/

why not treat yourself to a nice Sloe Gin - bloody lovely

I've recently discovered Greenalls....I think it's delicious, quite floral, and best of all, cheaper than almost all the other gins!
Also like Bombay, Tanqueray, Gordon's (well, almost anything will do to be completely honest!)

Youcanringmybell, I am right with you!

Sloe gin is the BEST!

It's dark purple, fruity, wonderful. I have it with lemonade and lots of lime. I force it on everyone offer it to people all the time and everyone who tries it, loves it too.

In fact, I'm off to have one now.

The Sacred Spirit Christmas Pudding gin is lush. My dad bought DH a bottle for Christmas.

Our gin collection currently stands at 8 'nice' gins plus a bottle of Gordon's and a bottle of Tanqueray. I like my gin cupboard.

Aviation is another good one, especially with elderflower and tonic.

I am very jealous of all of you with gin stocks. I want some now! <sniffs empty tanqueray bottle>

Mmm, yum. I love making fruit gin as well. Sloe and damsons are of course the classics (though it's bloody hard finding sloes in Scotland) but have also had success with gooseberry (which makes axe cocktails with elderflower cordial and soda water) and raspberry. Am thinking of making elderflower gin this year ... Making fruit gin is a good way to have a lovely drink without splashing out on expensive gins.

itshhh good

::happy sigh::

Just look at all of these.

I wonder if the housekeeping budget will stretch to a different bottle every week month...

oooh, gin, one of my favorite subjects!

I love London and Bombay Sapphire for everyday. And Sipsmith. And Hendricks.

Yummy.

Have you tried making flavoured gin? my favourite is rhubarb gin. It makes it even more lethal

But GinAndSlimline - does the slimline bit not kill it - surely you may as well drink tesco value gin if you're going to mix it with artificial sweeteners??

In our cupboard of shame drinks cabinet we currently have Hendricks, Plymouth, Sipsmith and 1599 Cromwell gin from Aldi. That last one goes in cocktails.

I have heard good things about the Berry Bros one (available from Waitrose if not near London) but since I am PG I haven't got the heart to buy any and leave it in the cabinet feeling sad without me.

But poppadom, it means I can drink lots guilt free

I am so pleased to have located fellow gin-obsessives. I was at a do last week in the US and was so pleased when they had tanqueray, I was anticipating vile American gin-substitute so I had to tell everyone how happy I was, until I saw their eyes glazing over and it dawned on me that not everyone feels about G&T the way I do.....
I would love to make my own sloe gin but have never been able to find a source of sloes. If anyone is prepared to share a source in the surrey/west sussex area I will be so happy.

GinAnspdSlimline - guilt free but also taste free??

For those of you praising sloe gin, can I just say that slow vodka is considerably nicer.....and doesn't need months of ageing; vodka, sugar, sloes, dark place, occasional shake and 3 weeks later = bliss!

Consider www.fiftypoundsgin.co.uk/ or sloanes gin

Bombay sapphire is an abomination. No to lemon. Ok to lime but cucumber is best.

Sadly no tonic in the house at the moment so will continue sipping water

I firmly hold with lemon in gin. lime seemed to become the default in bars about 10 years ago, but lemon brings out the ginny loveliness whereas to me lime fights with it. I am very specific about wanting it with lemon in bars and will go back up if it turns up with lime. cucumber and black pepper with Hendricks though.

Alconleigh Ooh the black pepper is new on me. Do you just sprinkle a bit in it?

Just find the lemon a bit reminiscent of washing up liquid . If you like lemon have you tried sloanes gin. Very citrusy.

Does anyone else get pissed off when bar staff pour the tonic for you? It took several frantic repetitions of "DON'T POUR IT" to get the idiot barmaid to stop watering down my gin this weekend She looked at me like I'd grown an extra head, but seriously?! One bottle of tonic is often good for two glasses of gin - watering it down to the point that you can't taste the gin is so pointless it's almost criminal.

I like this one and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Thread has died, but just to say put the pepper on the cucumber before the ice and gin. Thanks for the gin tips, all. Happy drinking.

No one has mentioned Martin Miller, which is yummy. I have been to a couple of gin tastings run by Geraldine Coates, a writer who specialises in writing about gin ( website if called gintime worth browsing if you like gin). She recommends appletise & a slice of Apple with MM gin which totally works.

Oh I miss gin (been pg & bf for last year). Plymouth is my drug of choice. Love a pink gin. Mmmm.

Ooh only just found this thread, thanks for starting it, I will be adding a couple of these suggestions to my grocery order <rubs hands in anticipation>

I happened to be in Aldi today, so I stocked up with another bottle

Well it's my birthday today and still haven't bought any! (was holding out in case dh had bought me some). So I think I'll treat myself at the weekend. A bottle will last forever nowadays as am bf.

If its your birthday then you need the best gin in the world bombay sapphire you really must taste this little gem. expensive but worth it enjoy and happy birthday

Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCKgCkubGc0
...so I'm missing out by never having being introduced to the world of proper gin...?

As an intermittent gin drinker (previous encounters haven't always gone well!) before Christmas I was introduced to Hoxton Grapefruit and Coconut gin... it has the most amazing smell and IMHO tastes divine.

It was on offer in Waitrose so I bought a bottle (it meant the kids didn't get turkey but we had some lovely beef instead!). We drink it with a small amount of tonic, too much drowns the delicate taste.

Next I'd like to try Chase Williams Seville Orange Gin or their other kind "with apples with citrus & juniper notes"... hic!

Gin gimlet. Gin + lime juice + sugar to taste. Serve in a martini glass very chilled.

I tried Bulldog gin recently, it was amazing. No idea where to buy it from though.

Caorunn. Lovely lovely. Also I got Bombay East duty free, which is luke regular Bombay Sapphire, but with added lemongrass and black pepper. Yum.

PoppadomPreach Oh please where can I get such a gin ? I want to send a bottle to my lovely MIl for mothers day,it sound just her thing

I love Hendricks.

Apparently Chase now do Gin too

Anotherv ote for Blackwoods' Gin here.

Well I popped into a local independent 'spirit shop' yesterday, and the owner said he is in the process of trying to arrange a gin tasting evening! [excited]

Ok ladies! We went to The Gin Institute last night and it was amazing! Definitely worth the trip if you're in London and like gin. I had a tasting menu (4 drinks) and then we shared a couple of different cocktails. It's not cheap, I think my tasting menu was £25, but my brother was treating me so I don't know what our final bill was. Our favourite gin was Warner Edwards which neither of us had even heard of before.... Right, I now need to go back to bed and bury my head under the pillow till at least lunch time....!