437587 Sun Sep 02 22:31:37 -0700 2007 18 36 Spirits 0 2905742 I have only had gin a handful of times in my life, but I would like to try and broaden my horizons in the drink world. The first times were pretty bad, but I think my tastebuds have matured enough to appreciate a good gin. Can someone recommend a good starter gin to seduce me back into the botanical world? Sun Sep 02 22:31:37 -0700 2007 35837 Sacto_Damkier 1 2905835 I would not doubt your first impressions. Mon Sep 03 00:32:51 -0700 2007 2905742 120901 droyal 1 2905856 I don't have a particular gin to suggest--I like a lot of them. But I would suggest that if you are easing into drinking gin that you try it in mixed drinks before martinis. Try a gin and tonic. Or a gimlet, which has Rose's lime syrup in it. See what you think. As for gins, don't think that more money equals a better gin. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/dining/02wine.html?ex=1188446400&en=c67401a2445174d9&ei=5070 Mon Sep 03 01:24:52 -0700 2007 2905742 17987 nerdgoggles 2 2906508 I think your article is a bit of a misnomer. I think what you mean to say is that more money does not equal a better gin...to be mixed with vermouth to create a martini. Mon Sep 03 10:24:30 -0700 2007 2905856 49180 jpschust 1 2907465 Surely you are not drinking gin straight are you? What drink(s) are you using it in? Thanks! Mon Sep 03 18:09:13 -0700 2007 2905742 26180 Chinon00 1 2907509 bombay dry gin (original, not the uber fancy stuff) is very good. recipe dates back to the mid18th centuary. you can taste the botanicals because they are gently infused (not boiled). at least that is what is claimed. still, it's a very good gin that lends itself to a classic martini (straight up), gin and tonic, whatever. Mon Sep 03 18:21:28 -0700 2007 2905742 10627 steve h. 2 2910504 I may try Bombay Dry at the bar next time for a G&T to ease my way in, or a good classic martini. All this makes me wishing for Happy Hour! Tue Sep 04 16:39:06 -0700 2007 2907509 35837 Sacto_Damkier 1 2909106 I would recommend trying plymouth. It is very good, though not as high a proof as others so the other flavors in gin are more readily accessed. Good in a G & T. Or try it straight on the rocks Tue Sep 04 10:46:35 -0700 2007 2905742 13330 quazi 1 2909138 Depends on from what direction you are arriving from...vodka? citurs vodka? rum? sweet drinks? The new crop of juniper-light, citrus-focused gins are designed to court the vodka crowd, like Tanqueray 10. Hendrick's goes in a cucumber-rose direction. I agree with Plymouth for an ultra-smooth but juniper-focused gin. Try some and see what you like, and read JMForrester's gin reviews on slashfood.com for more info. Tue Sep 04 10:55:25 -0700 2007 2905742 16728 kenito799 2 2910490 I am not too interested in a vodka-like gin - why not just drink vodka? - more of the best example of a good classic juniper-focused gin. I am all over the board with drinks from neat Scotch, Cuban rum, Manhattans, and all the beer and wine I can find. I prefer full-flavored alcohols with smooth finishes. Thanks for the Plymouth recommendation. Tue Sep 04 16:36:00 -0700 2007 2909138 35837 Sacto_Damkier 3 2913279 I think it's heavy-focus on the Juniper that turns a lot of people off when it comes to gin. Gins like tanquery have so much juniper in them that they smell like a Christmas tree. They taste bad to me and I absolutely love gin. For a clean, first-timer gin I'd reccomend Bombay Sapphire or Citadelle (which is kind of lemony). Wed Sep 05 13:04:05 -0700 2007 2910490 88180 heWho 1 2909145 I have a friend who claimed to be a gin-hater who was pleasantly surprised sipping on my Raingpur. It has a pronounced lime flavor, so it might be easier to tolerate. Tanqueray No. 10 also is a lot easier on the palate if you are not a fan of the spicier flavors in gin. Tue Sep 04 10:56:06 -0700 2007 2905742 68363 JungMann 1 2909146 I thought I hated gin... I'd only tried Seagram's Beefeater. A friend turned me on to Bombay Saphire, and I'm a happy happy gin drinker now! Tue Sep 04 10:56:06 -0700 2007 2905742 14222 abowes 1 2909275 Big lover of gin here. If you can find it try Junipero, it's a small batch American gin from the West Coast and it is fantastic. Beautiful understated botanicals with a crisp clean finish. Best used when making a real martini or a gin and tonic. Keep the bottle in the frezer and always use it ice cold (I keep all our gin in the freezer). Tue Sep 04 11:30:41 -0700 2007 2905742 124622 Spiritchaser 2 2910161 A few eeks ago there was athread about gins. there are so many different branks, and there are a number of different types. there are the junniper focused, the citrus based, the herb focused, and some that don't even fit into those categories, like Hendricks'. buy some miniatures of different types and try them in different drinks and see which type you like then explore the different brands in that type. I keep only about 8 or 9 different ones because I like different gins in different drinks, and even like different gins in the same drink at different times of the year. Tue Sep 04 15:02:03 -0700 2007 2909275 106255 chazzerking 3 2912140 The earlier discussion mentioned above is at http://www.chowhound.com/topics/389810. It will at least give you some more ideas. I, too like different gins for different purposes but I think Tanqueray 10 is a great starter gin, especially for gin and tonics. Rangpur is another good starter, with very pronounced lime-y flavor, although I'm sure purists would scoff. I just got a bottle of Aviation and am really enjoying it. Both Bombay and Hendricks are also great, as is Plymouth. Wed Sep 05 08:41:17 -0700 2007 2910161 34183 kkbriggs 2 2910488 Thanks for the local recommendation. I think Anchor Junipero Gin may be a good candidate to bring me back, especially since it is a local NorCal distiller. Tue Sep 04 16:33:59 -0700 2007 2909275 35837 Sacto_Damkier 3 2912460 If you hate it you can send me the leftover. Wed Sep 05 10:00:28 -0700 2007 2910488 124622 Spiritchaser 1 2914428 if you are just trying out.. START AT THE TOP! never experiment with low end alcohol! Your experience will never be a good one. Order a gin and tonic, with lime, and try Bombay Sapphire or Citadelle. this way you get a taste without the full blown in your face experience. Gin is an acquired taste, as is many things in life. But it is well worth the effort. Wed Sep 05 18:07:51 -0700 2007 2905742 54116 gryphonskeeper 2 2914651 Very good advice. My first beer was a German hefeweizen (in Germany) and my first bourbon was Knob Creek - which I was able to drink neat from the start. Wed Sep 05 19:13:59 -0700 2007 2914428 35837 Sacto_Damkier