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Plymouth gin is a drink with a protected geographical name that was once produced by distilleries in the English city of Plymouth. Currently, only the Black Friars Gin Distillery, which belongs to the French company Pernod Ricard, meets all the requirements for production. Plymouth (Plymouth) is made without the addition of sugar, it differs from dry London gin in a set of spices.
Historical information
The Black Friars distillery is housed in a historic building built by Dominican monks in 1491. In 1793, the house was purchased by the Coats family, who converted the premises for the production of gin. Soon the company became part of Fox & Williamson, which at the beginning of the XNUMXth century was renamed Coates & Co.
During the same period, the company received a contract for the supply of Plymouth gin for the needs of the British Navy. The drink was distinguished by its strength – the alcohol content in it was at least 57%. One of the marine tales of that time said that gunpowder, on which gin of this brand was accidentally spilled, did not lose its combustibility.
The peak of the brand’s popularity came at the beginning of the 90th century, when more than two dozen gin-based drink recipes were published in the Savoy Hotel’s Cocktail Book collection. In the mid-37,5s, the company’s management decided to reduce the strength of Plymouth to XNUMX% and replace the grain with sugar cane. These measures reduced the popularity of the brand, as they significantly worsened the taste.
In 1996, the company passed into the ownership of the new owners, who restored the old gin recipe. A year later, the products were rebranded – the bottle received an original design that repeated the shape of the 2008th century dishes. In the future, the company changed owners several times, and in XNUMX became part of the French alcohol holding Pernod Ricard.
Production features
The drink is based on neutral grain alcohol. The set of herbal ingredients varies depending on the type of gin. For distillation, a Victorian-era alembic with an age of more than one and a half hundred years is used.
Each batch includes 5300 liters of gin. In 2013, another product redesign was carried out – greenish bottles got a more rounded shape, and embossing appeared on the glass.
Awards
The brand has won gold medals in competitions:
- International Wine & Spirit Competition, Лондон – 2010;
- International Spirits Challenge, Лондон – 2010;
- The Spirits Business, Лондон – 2015;
- San Francisco World Spirits Competition, San Francisco – 2011, 2015, 2016.
Interesting Facts
- Although the supply of Plymouth gin to the fleet ceased at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, the company followed the tradition until the end of World War II to give the captain of each new ship a souvenir set, which included two bottles of the drink, a shaker and a flag with which to invite the ship’s officers to cocktail.
- Plymouth gin is part of the recipe for the traditional celebratory drink of sailors “Mahogany”, consisting of alcohol and molasses.
Types of Gin Plymouth
Plymouth Gin, 41,2%
The composition of gin includes seven plant components: juniper berries, coriander, angelica root and seeds, lemon and orange peel and cardamom. The aroma is rich with coniferous freshness and a spicy bouquet. In a soft and creamy palate, citrus and juniper come to the fore. The finish is long, with hints of licorice and mint.
For the manufacture of this type of gin, the same set of ingredients was used, only in slightly different proportions. Citrus fruits are stronger in the aroma, sharp notes of spices are added to them. In a sweetish taste, lemon comes to the fore, with which coniferous shades are mixed. Ideal for cocktails with the addition of tonic and lime.
