What would be the gateway alcohol to Gin?
This question is inherently circular in its answer. Vodka might be the closest in color and flavor, yet it doesn’t really provide the qualities that even the mildest Gin provides, i.e. Juniper. Even highly herbal or botanical vodka’s like Square One Botanical don’t have the ingredients that make a gin, a gin. For a light, smooth, easy drinking gin try Plymouth. Plymouth Gin is exclusive in that it is the only gin that can be called a Plymouth style gin. It is most notable for not having the bitter orange flavor of other gins, yet still having a refreshing citrus flavor. This quality is only enhanced by the traditional lemon twist that is used on the rim and as a garnish in a Plymouth Martini. We are living in a great age of Gin. There are new style, old style, new-old style, and avant guard gins being produced across the world. Anyone can find a gin that tickles their taste buds or their pocket books.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Power of Advertising
Previously we posted about the power of advertising in the sale of alcohol. Sure big alcohol distributors make a lot of money on single page adds in magazines. However, it's refreshing to find home decor catalogs with clearly discernible bottles of alcohol or cocktails on tables and in cupboards. Sure, it's nice to get the Beverages and More catalog, but so much nicer when the advertising is a little less blatant. We noticed that the Beverages and More catalog formatting is difficult to understand that the photo layout is juvenile. The section on Vodka is set against a bright white background so the whole page is white with bold black letters. Boring. It doesn't make me stand up and say, "I must have that bottle of Hanger 1! It's only $19.99!" I do have to give BevMo the credit of being a lot more interesting than grocery store advertisments.
Interestingly enough, the February 2010 Pottery Barn catalog came out recently. We all thought that there would be a good selection of booze nestled in the room arangements. However, the corporate overlords must have caught on to these subliminal messages and put a stop to them. They probably figured free advertising isn't in their best interest. Afterall, this catalog is aimed at the Upper Middle Class, who can afford to spend, spend, spend. I only counted a half dozen different wines in cuppords and most lables were turned; except a white called 21 which was prominently placed on a table. There was also a bottle of Heiniken with a half full glass next to it on a coffee table. That coffee table set up was pretentious. Who sits around their living room playing scrabble, drinking Heiniken out of a glass, and flipping through ancient tomes or unabridged dictionaries? So disappointing! Pottery Barn, why have you forsaken us?!
I wonder if there are other magazines or catalogs out there that are subliminal booze advertisments? The Crate & Barrel must advertise somewhere. Right? The Gindicate will be on the lookout.
Interestingly enough, the February 2010 Pottery Barn catalog came out recently. We all thought that there would be a good selection of booze nestled in the room arangements. However, the corporate overlords must have caught on to these subliminal messages and put a stop to them. They probably figured free advertising isn't in their best interest. Afterall, this catalog is aimed at the Upper Middle Class, who can afford to spend, spend, spend. I only counted a half dozen different wines in cuppords and most lables were turned; except a white called 21 which was prominently placed on a table. There was also a bottle of Heiniken with a half full glass next to it on a coffee table. That coffee table set up was pretentious. Who sits around their living room playing scrabble, drinking Heiniken out of a glass, and flipping through ancient tomes or unabridged dictionaries? So disappointing! Pottery Barn, why have you forsaken us?!
I wonder if there are other magazines or catalogs out there that are subliminal booze advertisments? The Crate & Barrel must advertise somewhere. Right? The Gindicate will be on the lookout.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Comments on Gin
The Gindicate is always talking about "the gateway." You know, PSA's tell you that pot is the gateway drug to harder drugs. Bacon is the gateway meat to people. Our members also feel that Pritchard's rum is the gateway to bourbon with its rich, smokey oak flavor. Well, if Pritchard’s is the gateway rum to bourbon, then what is the gateway gin to whiskey and bourbon?
That would be Genever. Most Genevers have a robust flavor that gives the fullness of body that a bourbon or whiskey contains. Gins and vodkas are distilled to such a high proof that you lose the flavor of the grain used to make the base alcohol. Since Genever is pot distilled the flavor is preserved. In aged Genevers those flavors are even more exaggerated.
Our current recommendation is Bols Genever. It has the classic taste one expects with a Genever and yet is easy to mix. Have it in the Improved Holland Gin Cocktail; it'll give you a reason to break out the Absinthe!
That would be Genever. Most Genevers have a robust flavor that gives the fullness of body that a bourbon or whiskey contains. Gins and vodkas are distilled to such a high proof that you lose the flavor of the grain used to make the base alcohol. Since Genever is pot distilled the flavor is preserved. In aged Genevers those flavors are even more exaggerated.
Our current recommendation is Bols Genever. It has the classic taste one expects with a Genever and yet is easy to mix. Have it in the Improved Holland Gin Cocktail; it'll give you a reason to break out the Absinthe!
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