Double-strength gin to beat the drought

TIPPLERS in drought-stricken Cape Town will now have a chance to play a role in helping conserve water with the introduction of what is being hailed as the world’s strongest gin.

Pienaar & Son Distilling Company is launching a Drought Edition of its gin which contains 80% alcohol – and saves about 500ml of water a bottle.

A Scottish distillery claimed earlier this month that it had created the strongest gin in the world with 77% alcohol.

Twin River Distillery created only 101 bottles of this limited edition gin.

A small Swedish distillery created what was previously believed to be strongest gin in the world with 76% alcohol.

Andre Pienaar is adding 200 litres of water to a new batch of gin to dilute it down to 43% alcohol – he says it is common practice to dilute gin with water to bring the alcohol level down.

“Everyone has their different things‚ but generally speaking it comes out of the still definitely well above 70% [alcohol].

“Then you basically just chuck in a whole lot of water to get it down to 43%‚” Pienaar said.

“If you don’t dilute it with water‚ single shots have double the strength and double the flavour.

“If you’re drinking it as a gin and tonic‚ a [Drought Edition] single has the same effect as a double [of most gins].”

Pienaar said the taste was the same as any other gin.

“If you put the two of them [Drought Edition and diluted gin] as a blind test in front of a world expert‚ I am sure they might be able to tell the difference here or there‚ but to most people it should taste basically identical.”

According to the Liquor Products Act regulations, there is no limit on how much alcohol gin may have.

It only says gin must have at least 43% alcohol.

The Drought Edition is being launched online today at Pienaar & Son’s online shop and some liquor stores. A bottle will cost you R599. –

If you don’t dilute it . . . single shots have double the strength and flavour