English dry gin essence, what it gives you
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A gin and tonic made with something you mixed yourself is a better drink than the same one out of a bought bottle, and not because of the gin. It's because you got to decide how much juniper was in it. That is really the whole argument for an essence.
What is in an English dry gin essence
Still Spirits English Dry Gin Essence carries the traditional London dry profile, which is juniper at the front, coriander behind it, citrus peel through the middle and a touch of liquorice root underneath. You mix it into a neutral spirit and you have got gin, rather than vodka with an opinion about botanicals.
Worth saying, because people ask. Flavouring a bought neutral base is not distilling, so there is no ATO excise licence in it and nothing to apply for. It's the easy end of the range and there's no catch in it.
Why people end up preferring their own
With a bought bottle you're stuck with somebody else's recipe, and if you like your gin more juniper forward than they do, that's your bad luck. Mixing your own means you set it. Bolder, smoother, more aromatic, whatever you actually drink. Follow the ratio on the bottle the first time and adjust from there once you know what you're adjusting from.
It also costs a good deal less than the gin aisle does for something you'd be happy to pour for somebody, which is the other reason people start.
What to do with it
- Gin and tonic. Ice first, gin, then the tonic, and a wedge of lime squeezed rather than dropped.
- Martini. Where a juniper forward gin earns its keep, because there's nowhere for it to hide.
- A second infusion. Fresh rosemary or grapefruit zest in the finished gin for a few days will take it somewhere a bought bottle won't go.
Shop related products
- Still Spirits English Dry Gin Essence. The London dry profile, and the one to start on.
- Still Spirits Premium Classic London Dry Gin. A bigger batch version of the same idea.
- Still Spirits Elderflower Gin Flavouring. Softer and floral, and it makes a very good spritz.
- Still Spirits Pink Gin. For when somebody in the house does not like juniper.
Did you know we also carry Just Juniper gin enhancer and the Still Spirits gin profile kit in the shop, along with 1125ml bottles to put the finished gin in. They are not on the website, so give us a ring on (08) 8536 4333 to check what is on the shelf.
Not sure which gin profile suits what you drink? Brewhilder will narrow it down, or have a look at the homebrew collection.
I hold strong views about juniper and absolutely no qualifications to hold them.
Candeece
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