Not only is Tanqueray almost 200 years into the gin game, the company actually helped drive the evolution of the category itself. It was part of the mission to transform gin from “Christmas tree fire water” to something actually respectable.
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The World’s 8 Best-Selling International Gin Brands
Though the origins of gin are in 18th-century Holland, the spirit is inextricably linked to the U.K. The country has a long, occasionally depraved history with gin; at one point the liquor’s reputation in London was so bad that it became known as “mother’s ruin,” owing to the reckless abandon with which it was consumed […]
The Complete and Slightly Insane History of Gin in England
Of all the various spirit categories that make up the dynamic culture of drink around the world, gin has arguably the most storied past. Its English heritage tells the story of British aristocracy, class warfare, technological innovation, the maritime industry, and more. Let’s go back to the very beginning, shall we?
11 Things You Should Know About Bombay Sapphire Gin
There’s a lot more a lot of us should know about gin in general. Which means there’s definitely plenty we should know about a gin like Bombay Sapphire. The great grandchild of the 1761 gin distillery founded by Thomas Dakin in Warrington, England, Bombay burst onto the scene in the late ‘80s.
There’s a Secret Pub in the Tower of London, and Only 37 People Are on the Guest List
London’s toughest door admits fewer than 40 people a night. The bar itself is hiding in plain sight in one of the city’s most thronged tourist hubs. Welcome to the Yeoman Warders Club, also known as The Keys. The members-only establishment is situated in the Tower of London, the historic fortress and No. 1 paid tourist attraction […]
We Asked 10 Bartenders: What’s Your Favorite Bargain Bottle?
For bartenders, choosing a favorite bottle of booze is like picking a favorite child: It’s not easy and someone is going to get their feelings hurt. We asked 10 drinks professionals to tell us the one bottle they always have around. Then, to make things even more challenging, we requested they keep prices down and […]
Barrel-Aged Gins Are Incredible Once You Figure Out the Right Ways to Use Them
If you find the concept of barrel-aged gin a little perplexing, you’re not alone. Just what is one supposed to do with this amber-colored spirit that has all the botanical flavors of gin, plus whiskey-like notes of wood and vanilla? Treat it like bourbon? Use it in place of traditional gin? Sip it neat? For one, […]
We Unearthed Esquire’s 1949 Entertaining Guide and It’s Better Left Buried
For those of us with a passion for spirits who like to kick it old school, cocktail books are vital. The best include ”Meehan’s Bartender Manual,” by PDT’s legendary Jim Meehan, and Mr. Harry Craddock’s ”The Savoy Cocktail Book.” Somewhere in the middle of a very extensive collection lies ”Esquire’s Handbook for Hosts.” This long-forgotten […]
9 Things You Should Know About Bols Genever (and Liqueurs)
Lucas Bols, a distiller based in Amsterdam, has more than four centuries of botanical booze-making under its belt. A family-owned distilling company founded in 1575, Bols (for short) is best-known for its eponymous genever and colorful line of liqueurs, which look neon-tactically artificial but, according to the company, are au natural — or should we […]
