Over the years, gin has become one of the most beloved drinks by enthusiasts because of how pleasant it is on the palate. Nowadays, gin’s popularity has increased because of three main factors: its versatility, affordability, and the rise of the liquor movement. This is why it is no surprise that gin makers have also been increasing in numbers.
A Gin distillery is responsible for creating gin products that differ in their ingredients and distilling processes. Unfortunately, despite the benefits of gin distilleries, there are still individuals who are not aware of their significance. To address this, here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding them.
What are the Categories of Gin Made in Distilleries?
Gin products produced by distilleries have different variations, such as aged gin, dry gin, citrus gin, and spiced gin. However, the majority of them fall into three main categories, which include the following:
Classic Gin
According to an article by Chemistry World, classic gin is made from a neutral alcohol combination that has undergone the distilling process and juniper berries. Although some distillers incorporate other berries when creating gin, the predominant flavour should be juniper for it to be considered a classic.
Gin Spirits
This gin category is also made predominantly with juniper berries but includes the redistillation of certain botanicals. This is done to extract aromatic compounds. Gin products that infuse elements, such as cinnamon, orange, lemon, and other fruits belong in this category.
Distilled Gin
For a gin product to be considered distilled gin, it should be made exclusively by redistilling ethanol with an agricultural origin. This means gin products with added flavourings or so-called “essences” do not belong in this category. Gin distillery typically creates distilled gin with a minimum strength of 37.5% Alcohol By Volume (ABV).
What are Some of the Materials Used By Gin Distilleries?
Gin distilleries use a neutral alcohol base when making gin products, and this neutral alcohol is mostly a form of highly-concentrated ethanol, which comes from an agricultural origin. Ethanol for gin-making is sourced normally from grain, but other distilleries use molasses and grapes. Ethanol undergoes a process known as repeat distillation to reach 96% ABV.
However, the most important material or an ingredient in making gin are juniper berries. This is why the predominant flavor of gin is always juniper. Some gin distilleries have also created products that use other botanical sources, such as citrus fruits, edible flowers, and even wheat because of experimentation.
How Do Distilleries Formulate a Gin Recipe?
Gin recipe formulation is a tedious and taxing process. This is because one cannot simply use any flavor molecule and assume that the end product’s taste will be great. Therefore, recipe formulation is both a science and an art, which greatly relies on trial and error and a bit of creativity.
Gin recipes are typically formulated by a professional, which is the person responsible for experimenting with various berries and neutral grain spirits to create a new gin product.
Gin distilleries play a great role in creating exceptional gin products. This is why you should only buy from a reputable gin distillery if you want to get the best tasting gin in the market. Check out a reliable and trusted gin manufacturer or seller today!