What is called “dry gin” means that it has no added (artificial) flavors, all flavors are natural from botanical ingredients, according to our gin guide, as well as without added sweeteners. If gin is sweet, it is more than likely to contain a botanical such as licorice. All London Drys are distilled gins, but not all distilled gins are London Drys. Both are the product of double distillation.
In simple terms, this is when distillers start with distilled agricultural alcohol with an alcohol content of at least 96%, a very high level of purity. This liquor is then re-distilled with added aromas, the key ingredient being, of course, juniper berries. The main difference between gin and extra dry gin is the level of sweetness. Gin tastes sweeter due to the addition of sugar, while extra dry gin has no added sugar.
This makes extra dry gin a more bitter option, which some people prefer. Gin is a type of alcoholic beverage that is normally made with juniper berries and is most popular in the United States. The main difference between gin and extra dry gin is the level of sweetness and its alcohol content. Gin tends to have a higher alcohol content than other types of liquors such as whiskey or vodka.
As you might suspect, London Dry gin was first formulated in England, but is now made worldwide. It's the most popular type of gin and probably the kind you have in your liquor store right now. For example, if you make gin and tonics with Beefeater, Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire, you're drinking London Dry gin. The term dry refers to the fact that there is no added sugar, and each of the botanical flavors (including juniper) comes from natural sources.
This is a legally protected category of gin, so London Dry Gin must follow the rules defined by strict EU regulations. London Dry gin must be made with ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. Gin distillate produced as a result of redistillation must not have a strength lower than 70%. Water or alcohol can only be added after distillation, and the minimum alcoholic strength of London Dry Gin is 37.5% ABV.
What makes it unique? London Dry Gin has a strong juniper flavor, which is the berry used because of its characteristic flavor. It's also packed with fresh citrus notes. That's why a touch of lemon really brings out the citrus elements of a Martini. Dried gins are known for not having artificial flavors like sweeteners.
It is a very natural presentation of gin. What makes it unique? A greater amount of licorice is used in Old Tom gin, making it sweeter than standard gin. However, the sweetness will not resemble the exact flavor of licorice. It has a stronger flavor than London Dry gin and is ideal for mixed beverages (especially those with bitter qualities) and cocktails that were created before the Prohibition Era.
What makes it unique? In this case, Genever gin does not have a predominant juniper flavor. It is more malty than the other types. Common ingredients include ginger, cloves, caraway and nutmeg. There will be no citrus notes in dry gin from Plymouth and London.
The final product is richer than Old Tom and is considered by many to be the best version for mixing beverages. What makes it unique? Think about London dry gin on steroids. It's intense and many distillers strive to create a balance between its flavors and its high alcohol level. Most will say it's the same as in dry London, but it will put hair on your chest.
If you're looking for something a little different than the average London dry gin, extra dry gin is worth checking out. Secondly, botanical ingredients are distilled together with grain alcohol, while they are not found in dry London gin. Contemporary gin derives its predominant flavors from other botanical products and is often described as having a more accessible profile. Extra dry gin is perfect for blending into cocktails and is becoming increasingly popular with waiters and drinkers alike.
For a gin to bear the London Dry Gin label, it must be flavored with juniper and this must be the “predominant” flavor, so no flavored gin can be classified as London Dry Gin. And yes, it's always best to drink Old Tom Gins with sparkling water, as the sugar in the tonic could beat the sweeter style of gin. Known as the original style of the 4 types of gin, the robust flavor of Genever gin is mainly due to the fact that its base grains are malted. Despite the fact that this gin was created in London, the term is today a denomination of quality, rather than a determinant of origin.
According to Sam, it tends to be sweeter, since during the 18th century Gin Craze era, they used to add a lot of sugar or honey to disguise the poor quality gin they used. Extra Dry gin is perfect for blending into cocktails, but it's also great on its own with a little ice. To do this, add endrines and sugar to a bottle of gin, seal it and place it in the dishwasher for 2 and a half hours at about 50°C. Plymouth gin was well known in the first half of the 20th century, when gins were the most desired spirit drinks on the market.
With more and more new and exciting craft distillers on the market, there are plenty of non-London varieties of dry gin to sample. . .
