London
dry gin is not necessarily distilled in London; as
a matter of fact, only one gin distiller is actually located
in London: Beefeaters. London dry gin is considered dry because
it doesn't use sugar to make it sweet, although minute amounts
of sugar are allowed.
It
must be distilled to at least 70% ABV. It must not contain
any artificial ingredients and cannot have any flavors or
coloring added after the distillation process. All of these
requirements are the reason that London dry gin is so popular
and why it is called London dry gin.
Boodles London dry gin is infused with juniper, nutmeg, sage,
rosemary, coriander seed, angelica root, angelica seed, cassia
bark and caraway seed but contains no citrus botanicals. In
my not so humble opinion, gin is actually juniper flavored
vodka. Now, that statement should raise a few hackles, but
it is, in essence, the truth.
Why
in the world is this gin named Boodles? It was named after
the Boodle's gentlemen's club in St. James, London, which
was founded in 1762 and originally run by Edward Boodle. The
gin was actually created in 1845 and today is bottled at two
strengths: 45.2% ABV for the U.S. market and 40% ABV for the
U.K. market.
Boodles
London Dry Gin comes in one of the heaviest bottles
I have ever hoisted. It is clear and stout and looks quite
the part of the British Empire. The gin within is clear as
water. The nose is a well balanced mélange of juniper,
nutmeg and rosemary, and even though I know it doesn't have
any citrus in it, it does have citrus like notes. On the palate,
I perceive a bit of spice and white pepper, followed by the
juniper and then the nutmeg, sage and rosemary. The finish
is slightly spicy and warm and leaves a taste of juniper and
caraway seed and lasts a fairly decent amount of time. This
is a well balanced gin that does not feature any one ingredient
over another but blends them so that they complement one another.
As a standalone spirit, it's pretty potent, but it mellows
right out in a martini or gin and tonic and becomes quite
a delightful sipper.
Next
up is Boodles Mulberry Gin, which can be
considered a type of sloe gin; however, Boodles does not use
blackthorn (sloe) but instead utilizes mulberry. It is reddish
in color and the nose is reminiscent of raspberries and pears,
although I do get a sense of rosemary and nutmeg in the background.
My, my, on the palate, it tastes just like a right and proper
preserve of raspberries with a hint of spice and a whole lot
of warmth and a touch of sweetness balanced nicely by a tartness
that hints back at the raspberries. The finish is smooth,
fruity, and warm and lasts just a short time. This is definitely
a drink I could sip on a cold winter's night in front of a
fireplace or simply enjoy as a dessert drink after a good
meal in place of a port.
Boodles
London Dry Gin can be found for around $25.00 per
750 ML bottle and is 45.2% ABV. Boodles Mulberry Gin
can be had for around $29.00 per 750 ML bottle and is 45%
ABV which equates to 90 proof.
By George Brozowski
For
more Rants & Raves click
here.
http://www.boodlesgin.com/
