BeppeCovfefe
Hendrick's Gin (44%)
Modern Gin — Scotland
Reviewed
April 29, 2020 (edited September 29, 2020)
Continuing with the "end times" theme gin and tonic, we come to one of the "stout" gins, 88 proof Hendrix, definetly NOT for the London Dry lover this one is bursting with florals and garden spices.
I'm getting rose along with elderflower and maybe a nice spicy yarrow root mixed in but the main point is this is a true "botanical" it has so much more essence mixed in than the standard juniper flavored punch. Here is where a pro bartender proves his salt by knowing the dry "ginnie" from the modern herbalist drinker(or just asking).
Straight down this gives a blend ultimately yielding some anise and pepper notes, if floral and spice rack seasoning isn't your thing, be advised to move along. Hendrix 88 proof really lives up to the "botanical" label.
Next we'll try adding some natures cure, I'm going with classic Fever Tree Indian premium tonic water. I go with about a 1.5 to 1 ratio of tonic and dab it with some pink grapefruit bitters or Ruby Red Deep Eddies in a pinch, I find with this combo it's next to a bright doctor pepper and fruit juice. Really a nice drink. I could easily see serving this to the "birds down in Brighton" having a go at the Royal Pavilion.
We've come a long way from crossing the equator with our grog and tonic! Cheers!
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@Whiskylonghorn yea brother Longhorn, get the Tanquery Ten or Rampur, then again that blue glass of the Bombay Saph, I'm told women love that sh*t, I feel ya on the legacy Beefeater, that and Gordon's probably won the Battle for Britain. Cheers!
@BeppeCovfefe no I think the girly fins would be right up her alley. I almost bought the Tanqueray instead, as that’s one of my dads favorites, but we visited the Beefeater distillery in London a few years ago, so there was a nostalgia effect in play with this purchase.
@BeppeCovfefe BTW - I went to a blind tasting of 24 tonic waters last year (yes, it's a thing). The top 4, in order, were Strangelove No.8, CAPI Dry, Fever Tree Premium Indian and (surprisingly) Schweppes Indian Tonic.
@BeppeCovfefe FWIW after tasting a lot of gin my favourites for balance and nuance are Method & Madness Small Batch and Dingle. If you want a big and impactful gin the best are Monkey 47 and Cotswolds, both of which are un-chillfiltered and louche beautifully when mixed.
@WhiskeyLonghorn on next visit, consider a bottle of Tanquery 10 or Rampur, or Hendrix Summer Solistice, unless you don't think she would like the "girly" gins.
@Cascode, that's interesting, until delving into gin tasting I really wasn't aware of the variation of these products based on country. In the states Hendrix seems to be one of the more highly respected gins these days. With all the variations on Tanquery and other maybe there is just a lot more good choices now than used to be.
We don't get this one in Australia, only the 41.4% version, and it's a gin that while pleasant I've never thought to be particularly impressive. At a blind tasting I went to last year it was voted near the bottom of the list. I'm wondering whether it's just the slightly higher proof that gives the superiority here, or if the recipe itself is different.
Your last review prompted me to go stock up a bottle of beefeaters. The wife is extra fond of gin and was grateful for the purchase. Thanks for the prod!