A sommelier must know more than just wines – they must know about spirits aswell. So today let’s talk about American spirits. The latest trend in the USA is gin. You may shout “What? the classic English drink, made in the USA? Impossible!”
Yet it’s true. Brooklyn has many distilleries producing excellent gin. Whilst working in New York I made an English man change his mind and he’s now only drinking Brooklyn gin.
Fortunately, one of these gins is available in the UK: the Breuckelen Glorious Gin. It’s distilled from wheat grown in upstate New York, and the base spirit is redistilled with juniper, lemon, rosemary, ginger and grapefruit.
It’s a very complex gin, with notes of juniper, grapefruit, hints of ginger and fresh herbs. It is quite an oily and spiced gin. Importantly, the distillery only sells what they produce – compared to some big distilleries who buy batches from others. It’s almost like home-made.
I tell you, this gin is fantastic. You can have it straight, with tonic or with a nice cured salmon. Give it a try and I’m sure you won’t go back to traditional gin…
Cheers!
-Anne Malhere
