531566 Sun Jun 22 14:19:39 -0700 2008 4 36 Spirits 0 3802843 On a whim, I picked up a bottle of Bluecoat gin. I'm about to break into it and make a martini. But I'm curious if anyone else has tried it and what you thought of it. I typically drink Plymouth, so I'm eager to find out how Bluecoat matches up. Sun Jun 22 14:19:41 -0700 2008 184376 FlaHopper 1 3804273 I'm from Philadelphia (the home to Bluecoat's distillery), so I drink it all the time. Given that it has much more pronounced citrus notes than Plymouth, I find that Bluecoat works better in gin+tonics than martinis. There are probably some threads regarding tonic on the boards here (I haven't searched), but, being a large proportion of a G+T, the tonic you choose really does make a difference. Make sure whatever tonic you use has pure cane sugar. If you either can't find (or don't want to shell out the $$$) for the new designer tonic brands that are hitting the market, Whole Foods' generic 365 brand tonic is actually quite good (it uses real sugar). It also comes in convenient 12oz cans that are each the perfect size for two G+Ts, so you'll never have to deal with opening one of those 20oz bottles to find bubbleless tonic. 365 tonic is my standby for Bluecoat. Bluecoat is really an excellent gin; my absolute favorite for G+Ts and one of my top three for straight up/on the rocks. I prefer Hendrick's for martinis (preferably gibsons), though. Mon Jun 23 06:21:02 -0700 2008 3802843 174370 SyntaxPC 2 3805203 I agree that the pronounced citrus notes make it much better with tonic than as martinis. Mon Jun 23 10:38:22 -0700 2008 3804273 92744 invinotheresverde 1 3804870 It's one of my favorites and I'm known as a gin fanatic. So much so that I will visit them on my tv series filming this fall. It's much bigger and bolder than Plymouth which is quite light. http://www.slashfood.com/2006/11/23/gin-notes-bluecoat-american-dry-gin/ Mon Jun 23 09:15:07 -0700 2008 3802843 10732 JMF 1 3807228 Thanks for all the advice. The Bluecoat worked out pretty well (eatanddrinkitall.blogspot.com), but I'm not sure I'll switch from Plymouth, especially for martinis. Next, I need to wander out and grab a bottle of tonic. I agree that it's citrus flavors would work well in a G&T, but I won't know until I know. Again, I'll be sticking with Plymouth for my martinis -- though I'd hardly turn down Hendricks or Bombay Sapphire. Mon Jun 23 19:35:26 -0700 2008 3802843 184376 FlaHopper