We love our flavoured gins at ExeterGin and our Grandad's Allotment flavoured Gin ranges being one of our best sellers, we look into the history of flavoured gins and why we love them so much!
Flavoured gin, also known as infused gin, has a rich history that dates back several centuries. While traditional gin is known for its distinct juniper flavour, flavoured gin introduces additional botanicals, fruits, or other ingredients to create unique and exciting taste profiles. Here's a brief overview of the history of flavoured gin:
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Early History: Gin itself has its roots in the Netherlands, where it was first produced in the 17th century. Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius is often credited with creating the spirit as a medicinal tonic. Initially, gin was flavoured primarily with juniper berries, which provided its characteristic taste.
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Expansion of Botanicals: Over time, gin production spread to England, where it gained immense popularity. Distillers and producers began experimenting with different botanicals, herbs, and spices to enhance the flavour of gin. Common additions included coriander, angelica root, orris root, citrus peels, and various spices.
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Victorian Era: In the 19th century, during the Victorian era, flavored gins gained further prominence. Distillers started infusing gin with additional botanicals and fruits to create a range of unique flavors. Flavored gins became popular among the upper class as an indulgent and fashionable drink.
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Decline and Revival: Despite its popularity, flavored gin faced a decline in the early 20th century, as simpler gin styles like London Dry like our Exeter Gin & Granny Garbutt's Gin which gained dominance. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in craft and artisanal spirits, including gin. This revival has led to a renewed interest in flavoured gins, with distillers experimenting with a wide range of botanicals and ingredients.
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Modern Flavoured Gin: Today, flavoured gin has evolved into a diverse and vibrant category. Distillers create flavoured gins using a variety of methodsSome distillers steep botanicals and fruits directly in the base spirit, while others use vapor infusion or maceration techniques to extract flavours. Flavoured gins can feature ingredients such as berries, herbs, spices, flowers, and even exotic fruits, resulting in a wide spectrum of taste experiences.
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Popularity and Innovation: Flavoured gin has gained significant popularity in recent years. The rise of craft cocktails and mixology has contributed to the demand for unique and flavourful spirits. Distillers are constantly experimenting with new flavour combinations, resulting in a plethora of options for gin enthusiasts.
At Exeter Gin we have developed three flavoured gins within our Grandad's Allotment range; Rhubarb, Strawberry & Lime and Avocado & Lime.
Our Allotment range is still a London Dry diluted with fresh fruit juice from British Farms. We have avoided the infusing process as this is quite often where additives are used. Our Avocado & Lime is blended and we distill the lime and separately the avocado and then blend them into the London Dry Gin giving it a rich smooth flavour. We are keen to support British Farms as this is part of our family heritage and owning farms. We only use this juice to bring down the abv (alcohol by volume) in our gins, so no colourings, flavourings, enhancers etc. You only get the very best!
These exquisite gins are a must for all gin enthusiasts! Get ready to tantalise your taste buds with the delightful world of flavoured gin!
Find out more on our flavoured gin range here >>>