Hendrick's Gin

Hendrick's would really, really like you to know that they are Iconoclasts.  Their gin is "iconoclastically produced."  And, by the way, they are 100% iconoclasts (a visit to the Hendrick's Web site makes the irony painfully clear)

Aside from it's ubiquitous iconoclasm, Hendrick's is an interesting gin.

But first, a question:  What is gin?
A:  The most common gin is "London Dry."  Now, gin of this type isn't all from the UK.  The moniker refers to style - a high octane (~80 proof), distilled spirit, which is re-distilled after botanicals are added.  These botanicals can include any number of citrus peels, roots, spices, or even bark.  And of course, no London Dry is complete without the addition of juniper berries.  So, unlike (unflavored) vodka, gin possesses a bevvy of diverse aromas.

Hendrick's is distilled using a 19th century contraption called a Carter-head still.  According to the iconoclasts at Hendrick's, this still encourages a more leisurely distillation process, and thus a smooth, delicately flavored gin.  As for the botanicals, this gin is infused with cucumber and rose petals (in addition to more traditional gin botanicals)  Let's have a sniff & sip..

The Skinny
Hendrick's Gin ($25-$30 for 750ml), 88 proof

• Distilled and bottled in Scotland
• In addition to the piney-juniper scents common to many gins, this gin offers lemon zest and something I can only describe as lime-banana-cucumber (!!)
• At 44% alcohol this isn't exactly the easiest thing to taste neat.  An itty-bitty sip and swish leaves behind sensations of citrus, floral scents, and sweet spices

Some interesting gin-based cocktails to try responsibly:

Hendrick's Tonic
2 oz. Gin, Tonic Water
Pour Hendrick's Gin into highball glass over ice cubes
and fill with tonic water. Stir. Garnish with Cucumber

Gin Berry
1/2 shot Gin,1/2 shot freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 shots Cranberry juice, 1/2 shot Chambord
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into glass

KGB 1
2 shots Gin, 1/2 shot Freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 shot apricot brandy, 3/4 shot Kummel
Shake with ice and strain into glass

More cocktail recipes at Gintime

Comments

[Dave Brookes]

Heya Beau

"iconoclastically produced".....I like that.

Great looking bottle....it's coming into Gin & Tonic season over here but I haven't seen this one around. I'll have to do some searching methinks

Cheers

Dave

[Carry]

Mmm...My husband and I LOVE gin and have been trying many different top-shelf varieties lately. Hendrick's leads the pack for its herbal complexity. So delicious! The triple-distilled, new-world gins don't hold a candle to it.

[Steve]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE gin and have been trying different varieties for a while now, but while I was in Veags over New Years I stummbled into Hendricks and have found my match. This gin is the most flavorful I have ever tasted. I just ordered a case.

[James Wright]

Where can I find Hendrick's Gin in North Carolina, USA

J. Wright

[Andrew]

James,

I've seen this at my local ABC store in Chapel Hill (Off of Elliot, near Whole Foods if you're in this area). If you're not in or near Chapel Hill, I'm sure your local ABC store carries it. It is currently being sold in a brown faux leather carrier, so I didn't recognize it when I went to pick up a bottle last week, so keep your eyes open!

Andrew

[John]

Hendricks has a nice flavor but I found out it's artificial. They added the cucumber flavor after the gin has been made like a flavored vodka.

[Rick]

To the above: Artificial flavors?!? Awww crap!! Good thing this stuff tastes great! :D

[Tom]

Nah, it's really difficult to mix with and too perfumy. Most of my customers have swtiched back to real gins now. Flash in the pan.

[Tom]

Nah, it's really difficult to mix with and too perfumy. Most of my customers have swtiched back to real gins now. Flash in the pan.

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[Fabiola Sutton]

KGB 1
2 shots Gin, 1/2 shot Freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 shot apricot brandy, 3/4 shot Kummel
Shake with ice and strain into glass

Done this one with some party friends, and yah cool. Every Friday evening, we're into friends pad, tried varieties of gin and some hard drinks. Vodka's still the best.

[yiwu agent]

I am visiting this site first time & it has awesome information. I have come to know a lot of information after visiting this site. Keep this sort of posting in future as well.

[Meladerm]

Thanks for the article. i love the cocktail ideas. I just used to standard gin and tonics so I am looking forward to trying your suggestions.

[Obagi]

Found this on a Google search while looking for cocktail ideas.. great find!

Any idea where I can get this in Florida?