Gin Club

Eden Mill 12 Gins of Christmas

theglasgowginclub Clubs, EVENTS, Food & Drinnk, Gin, Gin Party, Gin Tasting, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

Each year Eden Mill launch there 12 Gins of Christmas and each year we talk about it, then drink all 12.

Same this year so here you go;

12 Gins of Christmas release for 2017 is a luxury boxed gift set comprising 7 brand new, distinctive, and delicious gin additions that complement the 5 core gins included in the set.

Each of the 5cl gins is uniquely handcrafted and your gin gift box is completed with a pair of tulip-shaped gin glasses.

The 12 Gins of Christmas are:

1 x 5cl Original Sea Buckthorn Gin (42% ABV)

1 x 5cl Love Gin (42% ABV)

1 x 5cl Hop Gin (46% ABV)

1 x 5cl Oak Gin (42% ABV)

1 x 5cl Golf Gin (42% ABV)

1 x 5cl Botano Gin (45% ABV)

1 x 5cl Rai Gin (42% ABV)

1 x 5cl Mulled Gin (42% ABV)

1 x 5cl Slackwater Gin (47% ABV)

1 x 5cl After Dinner Gin (42% ABV)

1 x 5cl Orange & Clove Gin (42% ABV)

1 x 5cl Juniper Trio Gin (42% ABV)

2 x Branded Tulip Glasses

1 x Gin Tour Voucher for one (worth £10) – supplementary tour vouchers are available here.

1 x Booklet explaining the story and inspiration behind each gin as well as its suggested serve.

Cheers Eden Mill and Merry Christmas, this will last a decent time.  Well 12 days of it.

Makar Xmas Minitures

theglasgowginclub Clubs, EVENTS, Food & Drinnk, Gin, Gin Party, Gin Tasting, Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment

So another one on our favourite list.  Makar have launched their mini gin trio gift pack.

I probably should chat about Makar a bit but you all should know.  We have chatted about them several times (I was meant to do a blog on the Gin Awards where Makar Aged Oak won best aged Gin award).

Makar launched these at The St. Enoch Christmas Market.  Each pack is presented in a festive foil wrap and contains one Makar Original Dry Gin, one Makar Old Tom Gin and one of either of the cask matured expressions; Makar Aged in Oak or Makar Aged in Mulberry.

The gift packs are available to purchase exclusively from the Makar stalls at the Christmas markets in George Square and St. Enoch Square and are soon to be available on on online shop. 

Priced at £15, the artisan gift is perfect as a stocking filler, or as a treat for yourself to try three of Scotland’s most-awarded gins in 2017.

Only 2000 festive packs have been created in this limited-edition release, so be quick off the mark if you want to pick up a box in time for Christmas. The Makar gift pack will be available in non-festive packaging throughout the year after the Christmas period.

Edinburgh Christmas Gin

theglasgowginclub EVENTS, Food & Drinnk, Gin, Gin Party, Gin Tasting, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

So next up is an act which is very comfortable providing a lot of gifts and variety and if your need lots of gifts Edinburgh Gin have box sets of all their products for every Gin lover.

Just came up with a new hastag #Ginglealltheway 

It might be rubbish.

So EG have launched their Christmas Gin (again).

If you have not seen or tried it, think of mulled wine but doing something similar for Gin.

The Christmas Gin is flavoured with an special Yuletide botanicals, which is essentially added the normal London Dry EG.  By Christmassy we mean, frankincense and myrrh and classic juniper, this makes for a warming gin either to sip or mix with.

To nose and taste, Rich aromatics include zesty sweet orange, while a finishing note of nutmeg adds comforting yuletide warmth.
The Gin is Bottled at 43% ABV and can be enjoyed as a G&T with orange garnish, Or a Christmas Negroni, the sweet myrrh providing balance to Campari’s bitter finish.
Thank you Edinburgh gun website there.

https://www.edinburghgin.com/our-gins/christmas-gin
Thanks

Graeme 

Pickerings Gin Baubles

theglasgowginclub EVENTS, Food & Drinnk, Gin, Gin Party, Gin Tasting, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment

So like I said sorry for being away but here we are.

Let’s have a review of the best of British Gin Christmas presents. 

To start with I need to cover something I was meant to chat about following the Scottish Gin Awards, which is Pickerings Christmas Baubles.

So what are they?  Well in short they are standard baubles you would put on your tree but filled with Gin.  No complaints there.  The only disadvantage here is you can’t keep them to next year and keep bringing them out without your tree smelling like you’re some alchy. 

Last year Pickering’s launched these little beauts and they sold out far too quick.  This year there is no issues as they have been packing since the summer.

Each bauble is filled with 5cl of Pickering’s and there are six in the box.

Retailing at £30 for the six is an excellent price and these would be great for a Xmas present, along with a wee treat for yourself and your now alchy tree.  

All we need now is fever tree or Fentimens to launch tonic stars and we are laughing (how would the ice and garnish work??).

Link to the shop below.

https://shop.pickeringsgin.com/products/pickerings-gin-baubles

Piping Live – Brockmans

theglasgowginclub Clubs, EVENTS, Food & Drinnk, Gin, Gin Party, Gin Tasting, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Last on our list for Piping Live and by no means least we have Brockmans. Now I have been waiting to get this on the list for a long time. At the Juniper festival in Edinburgh I was pairing up Brockmans with the new Pink Grapefruit tonic from Fentimans and I can honestly say it wasn’t like drinking Gin and Tonic, it was its own class. So much so I kept handing people tasters of Pink Grapefruit tonic and sending them over to the Brockmans stand.

Brockmans is the creation of one man Bob Fowkes who for years worked for the big companies such as Diageo. Bobs vision to create a gin Like No Other coupled with his knowledge of the market and marketing abilities gave birth to Brockmans which is indeed a Gin like no other, as no other Gin delivers the flavour Brockmans does.

Brockmans comprises of Blackberries, Cassia bark, Liquorice, Lemon Peel, Coriander, Angelica, Orange Peel, Almonds, Orris and Juniper (it is a Gin). The botanicals are steeped in pure grain spirit for hours to release their oils. Then, Brockmans is distilled in a 100 year old traditional copper still.

To smell you get straight of the bat that blackberry, which makes you think you could be about to taste a flavored vodka (which isn’t all Gins at heart) right and floral on the nose, its bloody excellent on the nose to be honest. To taste the Juniper is there but it’s sweeter, as the wintery fruit taste along with the citrus are dominate. There is also a wee bit of heat which is ginger bread like (you won’t get this with tonic though). Neat on the finish it is dry, which is a great balance from the sweetness on the nose.
Its honestly a wonderful Gin, well done Bob.
Remember we will be running two tasting events at Piping Live on Wednesday 9th August (from 5pm) and Friday 11th at the Piping Centre, Glasgow.

Tickets are available for Friday only now as Wednesday is sold out and can be found following the below link:

Wednesday 9th:
https://pipinglive.co.uk/events/2017-piping-live-presents-glasgow-gin-club-wed/

Friday 11th:
https://pipinglive.co.uk/events/2017-piping-live-presents-glasgow-gin-club-fri/

Thanks

Graeme

Piping Live – Minus 33

theglasgowginclub EVENTS, Food & Drinnk, Gin, Gin Party, Gin Tasting, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Minus 33 was originally crafted by scientist at the Locabev Laboratory in Rosyth.  Minus 33 comes in at 33% so technically does not qualify as a London Dry Gin but It is a Juniper distilled spirit (which is also one of their taglines).
After 3 years and 539 test tubes of experimentation Locabev decided that the optimum strength for a really smooth spirit was 33%. This makes it the perfect drink for those on a diet as it comes in at 46 calories per serve. The decision to have a gin at 33% came after blind taste tests and those doing the tests came back and said they preferred the 33% version.  Which is fantastic news when you have just started a Gin company and it turns out you don’t have an EU category Gin.

Although Minus 33 was conceived in the lab, it’s now crafted by Cory the genius behind Silent Pool, to Sams recipe. 

To taste Minus 33 it is fresh and floral with hints of juniper, citrus, lavender, elderflower and angelica.

We have worked with Minus33 loads in the past and every time he does a tasting (assuming he hasn’t broken his leg), you are in for a treat, expect lab coats and cocktails.

Remember we will be running two tasting events at Piping Live on Wednesday 9th August (from 5pm) and Friday 11th at the Piping Centre, Glasgow.

Tickets are available for both nights and can be found following the below links, Wednesday is nearly sold out though.
Wednesday 9th:
https://pipinglive.co.uk/events/2017-piping-live-presents-glasgow-gin-club-wed/

Friday 11th:

https://pipinglive.co.uk/events/2017-piping-live-presents-glasgow-gin-club-fri/

Juniper Festival – Take Two

theglasgowginclub EVENTS, Food & Drinnk, Gin, Gin Party, Gin Tasting, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I like how the greatest debate I have in writing most things is weather or not to type like a teenager texting or try and be exact, knowing full well that the dyslexia will creep in at some point.   In this blog it was whether to use the word two or 2.  First word problems (the other problem being my incapable ability at proof reading).

So Juniper Festival has been and gone.  A massive well done to all the organisers and the brands for standing up for hours on end pouring and repeating the same words over and over.

We (me Graeme) went along in a working capacity and dragged my lovely wife along for good measure (still strange saying that).  I should point out that my wife Rachel gets drunk on one drink and hasn’t had a proper drink in three months.

I always forget how long the walk is to the SWG is from the bus route road.  Should have ditched the car tbh.  We arrived, got signed in and heading straight for the first faces we knew.  Edinburgh Gin.  Where we lined our stomachs with all the Gin liqueurs.  And no this was not abuse of power or stealing.  We were furthering our knowledge.  Always great to see the EG folks.  They do have the products down to a tee, luring your in with sugary Gin crack (the liqueurs) then building you up to the Cannonball.


Then we seen the smiling enthused face of Sam from Minus33.  Another one of our regular favs.  We got to catch the end of Sam telling some nice people about how it’s low calorie.  Then he made us two cocktails of the pink variety.  Btw I seem to pick all the effeminate drinks.  We also need to get that recipe off Sam.


Shouldn’t really list all the people we spoke too.  Next was Makar, where we stuck our hands deep in juniper berries.  Then to catch up with Claire from Summerhouse Drinks who deals in the wonderful Walter Gregors Tonic (Walter Macgregor if your a teuchter).


After visiting lots of other gins, like Darnleys, Strathearn, Daffys, No3 London and Sipsmiths.  It was time for our first talk which incidentally was Sipsmiths.  Where we learned some new facts, the swam in Sipsmiths signifies the still and the “Swans neck” at the top.  Straight back out to the floor together more booze.  First stop Pickerings (no Paul), but the main man himself.  The wife is a big fan of Pickerings, me too.  The old recipe (the orange top).


We then met (again) Alfonso from Valentia Gin, we can safely say that he is one of the locusts Gin Reps we’ve ever met.  Going to try sort that Gin for Gin Club as it tastes amazing.

Last talk of the night, hosted by David from Makar.  Good patter from David as always, good to learn about the relationship between Makar and Loch Fyne, also good to taste the cocktail topped with Loch Fyne Salmon.

It’s fair to say that it was a good night with lots of Gin drunk.  There were a few gins we didn’t even get to which we wish we had.

Long walk home where we we’re nearly tempted into the Park bar by some lovely ladies from Ireland and Harris.  We resisted, taxis for Macdonald’s then beans on toast.  In from a Saturday night by 11pm.  Amazing.

Juniper Festival – Glasgow

theglasgowginclub EVENTS, Gin, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Its been over a year since we at Gin Club along with Gin Superfan Ger (And Gers mate, who ever he was), attended Juniper Festival in Edinburgh and now it has come around again but this time Solid Liquids have brought the event to Glasgow, our home turf (unless you count Blairgowrie).

Btw I like the awkward photo of Stuart at Juniper Festival

Our first experience of Juniper festival was their first year and ours, even though it only involved Kate and Stuart, I think I was uninvited by the cousins so they can chum out and get drunk without me.  Thankfully though as it was our first year it was where we met 90% of the Gins we would go on and feature that year (lots of those Gins are still in the shed too).

Last year in Edinburgh was my first taster of Juniper festival, but before I delve into it let me go through what Juniper Festival is, in their own words:

“The Glasgow Juniper Festival will be the first outside of Edinburgh and we will have over 30 vareties of Gin from 18 different producers as well as some lovely tonics to try. Our Festivals are set up where once inside you can taste any of the gins on show which are all served up by the people who know them best – the people behind them! If that wasn’t enough we are also taking over the Poetry Club at SWG in which to host talks on Gin related subjects presented by some of our exhibitors.”

What that means you get to wander around the SWG, where 18 lovely Gin Distillers will have a station of their products, you get to wander up learn about the gin, the brand and history then the samples, the glorious tastings of Gin.  Not only that but you can sign up for special masterclasses and tastings.

Event link:

https://www.facebook.com/JuniperEvents/

We only know of a handful of the Gins which are going to be there such as: Caroun, Minus 33 (Sam will be making cocktails no doubt), Strathearn, Daffys, Pickerings, Shetland Reel, Makar, Porters and Sipmsith to name a few.

Gin Club will be heading along on Saturday evening to wander chat and drink Gin.

Tickets available from:

http://www.solid-liquids.co.uk/juniper

 

Thanks

 

Gin Club

 

Piping Live & Gin Club

theglasgowginclub Clubs, EVENTS, Food & Drinnk, Gin, Gin Party, Gin Tasting, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Right, so, ok, right (as my mother in law says constantly to herself).  Two blogs in one week!  How creative of us, or we have just plagiarised from the website we are about to promote.

As hopefully most of you are aware we are teaming up to host two special events for Piping Live.  What is Piping Live I hear you ask to yourself (assuming you are not a Teuchter or a member of the traditional music fraternity), well dear reader as I send in my work emails, “see below”:

“The spectacular evening is part of this year’s Piping Live! Festival, the world’s biggest week of piping which sees over 50,000 people flock to Glasgow to enjoy over 200 events throughout the city”.
Piping Live! is a week-long celebration of bagpipes and traditional music, taking place between 8 – 14 August.  It brings over 50,000 music fans to Glasgow and sees over 200 events, with over 8,000 performers, take place in various venues across the city.  Each event will showcase the world’s most talented musicians in modern trad music, with this year’s festival being headlined by the globally-famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers (Saturday 13th, O2 ABC).

 

We your Gin facilitating friends will be working with this fine festival on their Summer Sessions. Where we will be hosting two events on Wednesday 10th August at the Piping Centre and the 11th August in the George Square Marquee.  At these events four of the finest Scottish Gins will be there for you to taste  which are; Eden Mill, Pickerings, Shetland Reel and Minus 33.  You also get a mini masterclass, get a full Gin and Tonic but not only that  eat a selection of delicious canapes which will be provided from a variety of specially selected Glasgow restaurants, courtesy of the Glasgow Restaurant Association.

The night will be rounded off with toe-tapping musical performances from some of the best celtic artists from the Piping Live! bill, as well as the opportunity to pipe up and give the bagpipes a go with exclusive come-and-try sessions.

Tickets for Piping Live!’s Summer Session with Glasgow Gin Club are £20 and available now at www.pipinglive.co.uk

Some words of finery about us too:
Roddy MacLeod, festival director of Piping Live!, said: “Piping Live! is famous for bringing the very best talent to Glasgow and this collaboration is no different. The Glasgow Gin Club are renowned for their great events, knowledge and love of gin and I’m excited to have them join us to add a refreshing twist to this year’s festival line up.”

There are load of things happening all over the city for Piping Live, try and get involved.  Most of it, drink, food and of course music related.  If you get the chance head over to the Piping Centre for the tents outside, whiskey galore btw. There is also the Pipers’ Market which includes food trucks by Fire Dog and Bowl Food, supplied by Good Food Glasgow as well as a range of stalls filled by a variety of independent traders. The market will be open from 11am-6pm from Monday 8th to Friday 12th August.

Pickerings

theglasgowginclub Clubs, Food & Drinnk, Gin, Gin Party, Gin Tasting, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

So this one I have planned ahead.  Yes go me.

For our third Gin we have the amazing Pickerings back.

Pickerings was launch in 2013 and founded by Marcus Pickering and Matthew Gammell, at the Summerhall Distillery which was the former School of Veterinary Studies.

Pickering’s is based on an old Bombay recipe which was kept as a family secret for over 66 years,and resurfaced in 2013. The gin is a recreation of this original recipe where Pickerings have increased the amount of juniper compared to the original.

The Gin itself consists of nine botanicals – juniper, coriander, cardamom, angelica, fennel, anise, lemon, lime and cloves.

The process involves macerating the botanicals for 24 hours with neutral grain spirit in a copper still, nicknamed Gert. The still is heated in a unique way almost like a custom-built water bath allowing the heat to be altered and applied directly.

To me Pickerings is a smooth bu almost earthy Gin.  Its fresh with an initial hit of Juniper (it is a Gin) with a piney taste.  There is an after taste of fennel and cardamom, leaving you with the overall spice.

We have no idea how we are serving this yet.

I may have time to fix the blog before tomorrows pre alert.

We do love this Gin though.