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Beefeater is the third most popular English gin in the world. The original recipe has not changed since the end of the XNUMXth century. The drink is a bright representative of the London Dry Gin style. It is distinguished by a balanced taste, in which the bitterness of juniper is balanced by spicy notes of citrus. The brand belongs to the French alcohol holding Pernod Ricard.
Historical information
The history of Beefeater began in 1863, when former pharmacist James Burrow bought a distillery in Chelsea to produce a special style of gin. The company was well known as a liquor manufacturer, which helped the entrepreneur to promote new types of alcohol. In the documents of 1876, references to the well-known brands Ye Olde Chelsea and James Burrough London Dry, which were part of the product line, were preserved.
Burrow worked hard to improve the quality of his drinks. Beefeater is the result of years of experimentation with various herbal ingredients. The entrepreneur managed to obtain a gin with a special aroma and original taste, which was in high demand among buyers and became the company’s flagship product.
In 1908, due to growing sales, the sons of the first owner built a new factory in Lambeth. In 1958, production moved to Kennington, an area in south London, where the company is still located. In the 50s, the owner Eric Burrow managed to conquer the US market, where the brand took third place in the popularity rating. The company remained family owned until 1987 when it was taken over by Pernod Ricard.
Production features
Beefeater gin is still produced according to the original recipe of James Burrow. The composition includes 9 components: juniper, lemon peel, coriander, almonds, Seville oranges, angelica root and seeds, Parma Violet toffee and licorice. All ingredients are soaked for a day in grain alcohol with a neutral taste. During this time, alcohol is saturated with essential oils. Distillation lasts up to 8 hours. Next, the gin is kept in open vats for some time, after which it is sent to a factory in Scotland for bottling.
Awards
San Francisco World Spirits Competition, San Francisco:
- 2010 – gold medal;
- 2011, 2012 – silver medals.
International Wine & Spirit Competition 2012, London – Gold Award.
Interesting Facts
- A significant role in the popularity of gin outside the UK was played by the name and design of the drink. Beefeater is the informal name for a guard at the Tower of London. An image of a guardian in ceremonial costume adorns the label on the bottle. The product is strongly associated with English traditions.
- In 2008, a book about the history of London dry gin and the iconic Beefeater brand saw the light of day. The publication won the Best Design Award at the Scottish Design Consultancy of The Year.
Types of Beefeater Gin
Beefeater London Dry Gin, 47%
Transparent gin with soft aroma of pine needles and citrus fruits. The taste is balanced and refreshing, slightly sweet. Juniper, lemon peel, licorice and violet are present. In undiluted form, notes of coriander are more strongly felt.
Beefeater 24, 45%
The drink was first released in 2009. The company’s chief distiller, Desmond Payne, worked on its recipe. Grain alcohol is infused with 12 ingredients, including Japanese and Chinese green tea. On the palate, fresh notes of pine, lemon and lavender are expressed, seasoned with tannin.
Beefeater London Pink, 37,5%
The new gin was created according to the main recipe with the addition of natural strawberry extract. The color of the drink is pale pink. On the palate, sweet berries are mixed with coniferous, violet and licorice notes. The manufacturer recommends using gin in sweet cocktails with the addition of juice, syrup, ice cream and beaten egg whites.