4_kidd_4 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Always been a fan of gin, but these last few years have seen an explosion in creativity and product selection, especially on the local front. Gone are the days of G&T’s that taste like a Christmas tree, although the juniper powered standards are still around if that’s your thing. Juniper is what makes a grain alcohol into gin, but there are many creative distilleries that have been playing with flavor profiles and putting juniper in the back seat with some amazing results. Locally (WNY), Black Button Distillery has been killing it, and are my local faves. Their line includes Citrus Gin, Loganberry Gin, Lavender Gin and a throwback style Lewiston Gin, which harkens back to a sweeter “Old Tom” style. Tommyrotter is another at the top of the local list. Their American Gin is smooth enough to sip on straight up, and is also fantastic in a G&T with a squeeze of orange and a cinnamon stick. Their bourbon barrel aged gin is also amazing, and I would definitely recommend using it in a traditional Old Fashioned in lieu of a whiskey. Lockhouse Distillery does great things too. Their New York Gin is easy on the juniper and very smooth. My top pick from them is their Sakura Gin, made with cherry blossoms. It’s seasonal so get it while you can. Very smooth with floral and herbal overtones, makes a fantastic Bee’s Knees. Craft tonic has also come a long way, it can be a bit pricey but it’s worth the try. Q and Fever Tree are at the front of that wave right now, and you can definitely taste the difference in their quality ingredients & real sugar. However if you go the classic route, I’ve found that the Canada Dry is probably the best ‘corn syrup’ tonic available, not overly sweet or bitey. Schweppes Tonic is also decent. I would avoid the store brands altogether. I’ve also been experimenting with simple syrups, so much you can do with honey, fruits & herbs. Happy to share some house recipes if anyone wants. Made a blackberry honey lemon-thyme syrup saturday and the wife and I killed a bottle of One Foot #### Queen City Gin (Buffalo Distilling Co., another great local!!). So Cheers! Let’s talk gin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasons1992 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 I haven't had a good martini in months and now I'm craving one! Although I'm not nearly as well versed as you are, @4_kidd_4. My go-to gin drink is a Bombay Sapphire martini, up, filthy, extra olives (and if they're bleu cheese, even better.) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Loganberry?! Squeeze of orange and a cinnamon stick?! ? * Some of us philistines like Christmas trees. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4_kidd_4 Posted April 6, 2020 Author Share Posted April 6, 2020 2 minutes ago, Seasons1992 said: I haven't had a good martini in months and now I'm craving one! Although I'm not nearly as well versed as you are, @4_kidd_4. My go-to gin drink is a Bombay Sapphire martini, up, filthy, extra olives (and if they're bleu cheese, even better.) Ooh dirty dirty, MAN’S GAME!* (*my wife kills those too lol) Just now, Ridgewaycynic2013 said: Loganberry?! Squeeze of orange and a cinnamon stick?! ? * Some of us philistines like Christmas trees. Hey ain’t nothing wrong with Seagram’s & Tops Tonic. Little lime and yr good to go. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Beard Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 (edited) An outfit in Utica that has been making craft spirits. I find their vodka to have too much of a taste, I don’t recall if I’ve had their gin. http://www.adirondackdistilling.com/ An outfit in Lake Placid whose liquors I have found to be good. “Filtered through Herkimer Diamonds” http://www.lakeplacidspirits.com/about.php in my family, the older generation (all are gone now) preferred Beefeaters as their “special occasion” gin, whereas the younger generation (all in their 60s now) prefer Tanqueray. Edited April 6, 2020 by Gray Beard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhg Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Tanqueray always one of my favorites. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBud Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Hendricks? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 1 hour ago, BuffaloBud said: Hendricks? Wife is a Hendricks drinker...she has a Hendricks and Tonic ( always regular Fever Tree) with one of those bowling ball ice cubes just about every day. The fever tree is expensive, like $6 for 4 pack of the 6 oz bottles. When this whole mess started she ordered a case of it from Amazon, not sure if it was cheaper there. Every once in a while she has a drink made with Few Gin. Weird looking as it is brown in color. Link to the one she likes below. Me and Beefeater Gin had a real battle one night in 10th grade, Beefeater won easily...still have not had a sip of gin since that night! https://tinyurl.com/rqd5f26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wacka Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Do not like. Only time I ever tried it, tasted like I was sucking on pine tree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 (edited) Gin tastes terrible. Tonic tastes terrible. But somehow, when you mix them together (with a touch of lime juice), they produce the most perfect summertime drink. Tanqueray is my favorite, but Seagram's is nearly as good for about half the price. I'm not a fan of "flavored" liquors, but I usually get Seagram's gin with lime juice, just to save me from having to buy limes. I don't drink G&Ts very often, so it's not worth having them in the fridge all summer. Edited April 6, 2020 by WhoTom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Info Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 25 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said: Wife is a Hendricks drinker...she has a Hendricks and Tonic ( always regular Fever Tree) with one of those bowling ball ice cubes just about every day. Your wife is smarter than you...but that does not explain why she married you. Hendricks all the way for any G&T or regular martini for the wifey & me. We were introduced to it a while back by BIL. A good custom tonic can enhance a G&T. Adding thinly sliced cukes around inside of glass also adds to flavor. Lucy’s in Jackson Ward makes a great G&T with their tonic. Hell with the food, just stop there for a G&T. Will give Few a taste, too. Thx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 (edited) 13 minutes ago, WhoTom said: Gin tastes terrible. Tonic tastes terrible. But somehow, when you mix them together (with a touch of lime juice), they produce the most perfect summertime drink. Tanqueray is my favorite, but Seagram's is nearly as good for about half the price. I'm not a fan of "flavored" liquors, but I usually get Seagram's gin with lime juice, just to save me from having to buy limes. I don't drink G&Ts very often, so it's not worth having them in the fridge all summer. HA! I haven’t been a liquor guy in decades, but back in college I went home with a friend for a weekend. It was a warm early summer day and we were hanging by the pool. His dad brought out gin and tonics (with lime) for us, and 40 years later I still remember how refreshing that was! . Edited April 6, 2020 by Augie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoBills808 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Love gin working my way thru a bottle of the botanist rn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Beard Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Wedding receptions are usually warm weather affairs. My drink of choice at a wedding reception is gin and tonic. I’m not really much of a drinker, so nursing a few g&t’s is a foolproof way for me to get through the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Love Gin Rummy. Never can find players these days, damn Covid! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4_kidd_4 Posted April 6, 2020 Author Share Posted April 6, 2020 Hendricks, yes. The Botanist, also yes. Beefeater is still a quality industry standard, as well as Tanqueray. Tanqueray has expanded their lineup too, we enjoy the Malacca (peppery & spicy), Rangpur (made w rangpur limes, zesty citrus forward), and Sevilla (made w bittersweet sevilla oranges, obviously very orange forward and smooth). We infused some of the Sevilla with a black tea, then I made a honey-ginger syrup to go with it. Heavenly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasons1992 Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 2 hours ago, plenzmd1 said: Me and Beefeater Gin had a real battle one night in 10th grade, Beefeater won easily...still have not had a sip of gin since that night! Oh man, thanks for bringing up a bad memory and an even worse hangover. 2nd to last night of Senior year at college. I was out feeling sorry for myself, because college was ending. Was at a cool dive bar at Ohio U (Tony's) and couldn't find anyone to hang out with (pre-cell-phones, kids, 2000). I also was on a novice gin kick, drinking G+T's as it was warm out. I decided that as soon as the Devils-Stars Game 6 was over, I would leave. Well, y'all remember THAT game.......... 3OT's. I started drinking when the game started, and sat there until it ended. By the end, it was a rocks glass FULL of gin with ice, no tonic was being given by the bartender at that point. Yikes, the next day was brutal. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Things Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 I'd like to suggest you all try one of our local distilleries. Very tasty gin, indeed! https://dancingsands.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 6 hours ago, plenzmd1 said: Me and Beefeater Gin had a real battle one night in 10th grade, Beefeater won easily...still have not had a sip of gin since that night! About the same age, Napoleon Brandy. Treated it like iced tea in a tall glass. My friends called the “cool friend” of our parents asking him to drop by the next morning to see if I was still alive. Barely.....If I got a whiff of it today I would probably vomit! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 ...great for removing rust...and....pesky neighbors........ 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted April 7, 2020 Share Posted April 7, 2020 I'm an old-school gin fan and don't really have that much use for these newfangled funny tasting products labeled as "gin". But I do like some of the more traditional super premium offerings, like Bombay Sapphire (though I don't care for the East product). To me the best thing to happen to gin in the past 30 or so years is premium quinine water, such as Fever Tree and Q. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irv Posted April 7, 2020 Share Posted April 7, 2020 Black Button has a Lilac flavored gin. Have not tried it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GETTOTHE50 Posted April 7, 2020 Share Posted April 7, 2020 I’m feeling supersonic. Give me gin n tonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Beard Posted April 7, 2020 Share Posted April 7, 2020 2 hours ago, The Dean said: I'm an old-school gin fan and don't really have that much use for these newfangled funny tasting products labeled as "gin". But I do like some of the more traditional super premium offerings, like Bombay Sapphire (though I don't care for the East product). To me the best thing to happen to gin in the past 30 or so years is premium quinine water, such as Fever Tree and Q. What I don’t understand is the weird and often fruity things that people call martinis. I think it started with the apple-tini and went downhill from there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bermuda Triangle Posted April 7, 2020 Share Posted April 7, 2020 I'll also echo those who've recommended The Botanist. Have a bottle of Tommyrotter at home that I might just crack open one of these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted April 7, 2020 Share Posted April 7, 2020 Gin? I'd rather drink paint thinner. Which, actually, I think is somewhat related, chemically speaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted April 7, 2020 Share Posted April 7, 2020 51 minutes ago, Nextmanup said: Gin? I'd rather drink paint thinner. Judging from some of the reactions to your Bills related postings, I believe some of the board members might be in agreement. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted April 7, 2020 Share Posted April 7, 2020 1 hour ago, Gray Beard said: What I don’t understand is the weird and often fruity things that people call martinis. I think it started with the apple-tini and went downhill from there. It's alcohol for people who don't like the taste of alcohol. It ranks right up there with the "margarita beer" that Bud makes. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwksilver Posted April 8, 2020 Share Posted April 8, 2020 I dislike gin so much, when I make a long island I remove the gin and double the tequila. Tastes like turpentine or paint thinner. HARD PASS! Now where's my scotch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsherd Posted April 8, 2020 Share Posted April 8, 2020 On 4/6/2020 at 11:22 AM, dhg said: Tanqueray Tanqueray Rangpur is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HereComesTheReignAgain Posted April 8, 2020 Share Posted April 8, 2020 Prohibition Distillery in the Catskills makes a good gin. I’m not a huge fan of gin, but I like this one! Bootlegger Gin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly Allan in MD Posted April 8, 2020 Share Posted April 8, 2020 On 4/6/2020 at 12:40 PM, Wacka said: Do not like. Only time I ever tried it, tasted like I was sucking on pine tree. Do you suck on pine trees often? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Things Posted April 8, 2020 Share Posted April 8, 2020 6 hours ago, WhoTom said: It's alcohol for people who don't like the taste of alcohol. It ranks right up there with the "margarita beer" that Bud makes. Margarita Beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted April 8, 2020 Share Posted April 8, 2020 34 minutes ago, Bad Things said: Margarita Beer? Several, actually. Though I would argue they have nothing to do with an authentic margarita: The lineup An authentic margarita: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted April 8, 2020 Share Posted April 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Bad Things said: Margarita Beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted April 8, 2020 Share Posted April 8, 2020 6 hours ago, WhoTom said: ??????????? When historians of the far future are asked 'when did civilization fall?', they will show this picture in reply. ? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4_kidd_4 Posted April 8, 2020 Author Share Posted April 8, 2020 20 hours ago, The Dean said: I'm an old-school gin fan and don't really have that much use for these newfangled funny tasting products labeled as "gin". But I do like some of the more traditional super premium offerings, like Bombay Sapphire (though I don't care for the East product). To me the best thing to happen to gin in the past 30 or so years is premium quinine water, such as Fever Tree and Q. I definitely have nothing against the old standards whatsoever, still enjoy London Dry style all the time, still love a good juniper smack in the yap. Plymouth Navy Strength is always a solid go to in our house. But I also love the creativity and flavor profiles that are constantly evolving, especially on the local front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 I went to Dogfish Head and took the brewery and distillery tour. The distillery made both vodka and gin. The process is identical except that the gin has the extra step of added botanicals. That’s literally the only difference. Exact same everything otherwise. I thought it was hilarious because I always said that I hated vodka but loved gin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 30 minutes ago, BarleyNY said: I went to Dogfish Head and took the brewery and distillery tour. The distillery made both vodka and gin. The process is identical except that the gin has the extra step of added botanicals. That’s literally the only difference. Exact same everything otherwise. I thought it was hilarious because I always said that I hated vodka but loved gin. Which has always led me to ask, what's with "botanical vodka"? It's gin, right? Although if there isn't juniper is it REALLY gin? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 On 4/6/2020 at 12:32 PM, plenzmd1 said: Wife is a Hendricks drinker...she has a Hendricks and Tonic ( always regular Fever Tree) with one of those bowling ball ice cubes just about every day. The fever tree is expensive, like $6 for 4 pack of the 6 oz bottles. When this whole mess started she ordered a case of it from Amazon, not sure if it was cheaper there. Every once in a while she has a drink made with Few Gin. Weird looking as it is brown in color. Link to the one she likes below. Me and Beefeater Gin had a real battle one night in 10th grade, Beefeater won easily...still have not had a sip of gin since that night! https://tinyurl.com/rqd5f26 Had a similar experience with Scotch. New Years Eve 1977. Can't even look at it since then. By all accounts, i had a great time at the party! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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