December 13, 2007

Hendrick's Gin

Bill Dowd photo

The folks at the Hendrick's distillery in Ayrshire, Scotland, really try to emphasize that their gin is not for everyone. "Loved by a select few" is its byword. I count myself as part of that group.

• Hendrick's Gin:

Gin sampling, in my experience, involves the nose as much as the palate. While each gin has a juniper berry and alcohol base, the recipes can vary greatly. Some -- Bombay Sapphire being the most prominent example -- put their ingredients right on the label. Others -- Plymouth, for example -- rigorously guard their old, old recipes.

Hendrick's, bottled at a slightly-higher-than-average 88 proof, likes to talk about the obvious: cucumbers and rose petals. Both are obvious in the initial nose and throughout the tasting.

Hendrick's manufacturing process may have as much to do with its gin as do its ingredients. It has one of only four existing Carter-Head stills in the world. It was built in 19th century London and was restored to its original condition. The distillers explain that instead of boiling ingredients, the Carter-Head "bathes" them in vapors to foster a very slow buildup.

No matter how they do it, Hendrick's comes out as a beautiful gin, the fresh taste of cucumber helping create perhaps the cleanest dry martini I've ever experienced, but gentle enough to be pleasant merely over a few ice cubes.

Go back to Dowd On Drinks

2 comments:

Rick D said...

The interesting thing to me about their byword is the fact that the nose (and flavor) is more cucumber and rose than it is Juniper. Juniper seems to be what most people who don't like gin are averse to, therefore, it lends itself to be a very, very good crossover gin. It's one of the best for getting people who like vodka to try the world of gin.

Not only that, the Carter-Head story plus the fact it's done in small batches, so every bottle tastes a bit different, makes for a good overall story telling experience.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree with you more. It's a lovely gin and easily my favorite. I like mine with just a splash of soda as tonic seems to ruin the rose nose.