580805 Wed Dec 17 07:33:39 -0800 2008 15 36 Spirits 0 4253464 As a martini lover I am hoping to get some thoughts on "budget" brands of gin. My preferred brand is Boodles, and it is $18 in my area. I like Bombay original, better than the Sapphire, as well. However, I am hoping to economize a bit. Can anyone steer me in the direction of more reasonable priced bottles? Wed Dec 17 07:33:39 -0800 2008 221440 kathrynanne 1 4254587 There's always Gordon's and Seagram's. Those are what I turn to when trying to save some cash. Wed Dec 17 13:27:10 -0800 2008 4253464 14412 wontonton 2 4254975 We generally buy moderately high-priced booze, our logic being that since we don't drink that much, we might as well stick with the good stuff. But we always have a large plastic jug of Gordon's ($12 for 1.75 liters in New Hampshire) along with the Plymouth, in part because my wife actually prefers it in her G&Ts. Wed Dec 17 16:07:21 -0800 2008 4254587 17548 BarmyFotheringayPhipps 3 4255553 It really does confuse me how you can get it that cheap when I'm less than 300 miles away and it costs (the equivilant of) $30 for ONE litre. Wed Dec 17 20:11:27 -0800 2008 4254975 228878 Steve_K 4 4256556 New Hampshire's state-run liquor stores generally have uncommonly low prices due to the state's tax laws, and Gordon's is one of those things that's usually on sale whenever I need to buy some. Thu Dec 18 08:31:46 -0800 2008 4255553 17548 BarmyFotheringayPhipps 1 4254855 If you're near a Trader Joe's swing by and pick up a bottle of their house brand, Rear Admiral Joseph's Original London Dry Gin, for $8. Pretty good quality for short money. (Incidentally I, like you, prefer Bombay original to the ubiquitous Sapphire, so our tastes may be compatible.) Or, if you like Tanqueray, Costco is selling it these days for $20 for the big 1.75 liter bottle with coupon good until the 24th. Wed Dec 17 15:09:30 -0800 2008 4253464 48555 roundfigure 2 4257182 Tanqueray (1.75) for $20. That's amazing. I can't tell what city you are in, but at our Austin Costco, it is on sale for $33. Costco Liquor in TX is in a different building than the big store (right next door), due to our liquor laws, and I think it is run by a different bunch of people. Anyway, back to the original question. I like Broker's gin. It is London Dry style, a lot of juniper like Tanq. and imported from the UK. I can usually find it for around $30 for a 1.75 at Spec's. Thu Dec 18 11:27:41 -0800 2008 4254855 60603 TroyTempest 2 4257323 It is funny that you mention Trader Joe's house gin, because every time I am in a state that allows liquor to be sold outside of the state stores, I pop into TJ's and get that! I think it is an unbelivable bargain. Better liquor laws are not a good enough reason to move though! Thu Dec 18 12:06:40 -0800 2008 4254855 221440 kathrynanne 1 4259189 I agree on the recommendations of Gordon's and Seagrams. Both are mid-priced, and dirt cheap at the NH state stores where I shop as well. Gordon's is what I call the perfect, middle-of-the-road, typical London dry gin. It's crisp, not too overwhelming with the juniper, but still has a solid juniper presence. http://www.slashfood.com/2006/11/14/gin-notes-gordons-london-dry-gin/ Seagram's is a dry American style, it has a bit of a nice juniper/citrus profile, and the only barrel aged gin that I know of. It's really a hidden secret and both under-rated and under-priced. http://www.slashfood.com/2006/10/30/gin-notes-seagram-s-extra-dry-gin/ I've heard good things about New Amsterdam gin but haven't tried it yet. Gin Notes: http://www.slashfood.com/search/?q=gin&searchsubmit= Fri Dec 19 07:02:48 -0800 2008 4253464 10732 JMF 2 4260655 New amsterdam is a very pleasant smooth gin with a moderate juniper/citrus profile. It makes fine GTs and decent martinis. I think it is definitely a buy for the price(around here about $16for a 750) I'm still going to spring the extra 3 bucks for Plymouth, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at NA Fri Dec 19 15:31:13 -0800 2008 4259189 106255 chazzerking 2 4289869 I tried New Amsterdam and found the citrus and sweet floral notes too dominant to enjoy. Fri Jan 02 10:06:26 -0800 2009 4259189 68363 JungMann 1 4262507 Are the cheaper gins made any differently than the higher-end ones? I had heard that the low-cost product is basically just grain alcohol with the botanical extract mixed in, whereas better gin actually has the botanicals infused during the distillation process. Anyone know if this is true? Some gin labels say "distilled" and others don't. Sat Dec 20 15:08:51 -0800 2008 4253464 159754 ed1066 2 4303321 Yes, low end gins are made how you say. The process is called cold compounding, where extracts are added to neutral spirits and water added to lower to bottle proof. If it says distilled gin on the label then the neutral spirits are distilled either with the botanicals in the still kettle, the botanicals steeped in the spirits filtered and distilled, or the botanicals in a 'gin basket' or on racks in the vapor path so that the alcohol vapor can pick up the flavor and aroma. Wed Jan 07 05:57:15 -0800 2009 4262507 10732 JMF 1 4262928 You could also try Gilbey's. With a squarish bottle, some what like Boodles, you can squint and just imagine you are drikning your fav...or drink half the bottle for similar effect. Sat Dec 20 19:07:10 -0800 2008 4253464 96313 ellaystingray 1 4293680 Of all the gins already listed I think there is one that is even cheaper and has a fairly good gin flavor. It is McCormick Gin made in Misouri if think. I live in SC and can find it in sme ABC stores. If you go to look for McCormick's it will not be at eye level. Look down toward the floor and you might find it. Good luck on finding it and lets pray this recession is short and not too deep. Sat Jan 03 19:11:14 -0800 2009 4253464 145336 Wienerhound 1 4304510 Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried New Amsterdam and agree with the poster that it was too citrusy for my liking. I think Gordon's is good, and a definite value for the price. It seems to be more in the style of gin I prefer. Wed Jan 07 11:14:40 -0800 2009 4253464 221440 kathrynanne