It’s never too early for Gin o’clock

Eurostandartl Imports introduced its Quintessential Gin Collection on a recent afternoon in Tel Aviv. If you love discovering new gin flavors, take note. There are many different brands and styles of gin. There’s the classic London dry, but there are others and thanks to the current gin revival, it is the base spirit for many modern cocktails as well.

Thomas Dakin

Made with 11 botanicals including juniper, orange peel, English coriander, angelica, cubeb pepper and licorice as well as “a hint of red cole” aka horseradish! It’s named after Thomas Dakin, who began producing gin in Warrington, England, in the second half of the 18th century, founding what would later become Greenall’s. He was a pioneer who made gin of a surprising quality for the day, and who is rightly celebrated. 42% alcohol, kosher. NIS 209.

Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin

Spiced and rich, this London Dry gin is made with botanicals from along the traditional spice route that led back to the UK. Indonesian cubeb berries, Indian black pepper and Moroccan coriander are all used in this gin, launched by Quintessential Brands in 2013. Nose: Coriander and citrus, gentle juniper and peppery notes. Palate: More discernible spiciness and juniper with plenty of coriander. Finish: Refreshing with citrus and spice. 42.5% alcohol, kosher. NIS 160.

Bloom

Bloom Gin is a superb London Dry gin produced by Greenall’s. The name refers to the floral nature of its botanicals: honeysuckle, pomelo and chamomile. Made with low-mineral spring water, the drink is fresh and smooth. 40% alcohol, kosher. NIS 165.

Bloom Jasmine & Rose

Created by master distiller Joanne Moore using naturally extracted flower botanicals, the gin has no artificial flavorings, and comes presented in the same bottle as the original Bloom gin, only the color palette reflects the floral flavors of the gin. A refined floral fragrance of elderflower and jasmine adds an extra dimension to this pink gin. 40% alcohol, kosher. NIS 179.

Berkeley Square

Made for gin connoisseurs, Berkeley Square Dry Gin stands in a category of its own. Made by hand with the utmost attention to every detail, this gin features a combination of four classic gin botanicals (juniper, coriander, cubeb and angelica) along with four distinctive additions – lime leaves, sage, basil and lavender. To produce the gin, the distillers firstly distill the four traditional botanicals alongside the lime leaves, then pile the sage, basil and lavender into a muslin cloth bag and allow it to infuse into the liquid during a second distillation. Fragrant juniper and sage, with floral wafts of angelica and lavender developing underneath. Particularly earthy and rich. 46% alcohol, kosher. NIS 499.

Greenall’s

Greenall’s Gin is a smooth, crisp, easy-going sort of a gin that works well as a mixer in a gin and tonic. In the nose you will detect almonds, angelica, cinnamon, coriander, juniper, lemon zest and licorice – to name but a few. 40% alcohol, kosher. NIS 79.

Greenall’s Wild Berry

Greenall’s Wild Berry Gin is made by infusing raspberries and blackberries in Greenall’s Gin, resulting in a fruity twist on the classic recipe. This modern twist will go well in fruity cocktails. 37.5% alcohol, kosher. NIS 89.