When it comes to spirits, gin is one of the most popular and versatile options. However, if you’re a gin enthusiast, you may have heard the terms “London Dry Gin” and “Gin” used interchangeably. While they may seem the same, there are some key differences between these two types of gin that are worth exploring.
What Is Gin?
Before we dive into the differences between London Dry Gin and Gin, let’s first define what gin is. At its core, gin is a spirit that is made by distilling grain or malt and then infusing it with juniper berries and other botanicals. This gives gin its signature flavor that can range from piney and herbal to spicy and citrusy.
What Is London Dry Gin?
London Dry Gin is a type of gin that is made using a specific set of production methods. Contrary to its name, London Dry Gin does not necessarily have to be produced in London but rather must adhere to strict regulations set forth by the European Union.
One of the defining characteristics of London Dry Gin is that it cannot contain any added flavors or sweeteners after distillation. All of the botanicals used during production must be added during the distillation process itself. Additionally, no artificial ingredients can be used during production.
Production Methods
To produce London Dry Gin, a neutral spirit base must first be distilled from fermented grains. Once distilled, this base spirit is then redistilled with a mixture of juniper berries and other botanicals such as coriander seeds, angelica root, orris root, lemon peel, or grapefruit peel.
During this second distillation process, all of the botanicals are added into the still at once rather than being distilled separately. This allows for all of their flavors to meld together into one cohesive flavor profile.
After distillation is complete, the gin is then diluted with water to bring it down to its desired strength before being bottled and sold.
While London Dry Gin must adhere to specific production methods, “Gin” as a category is much broader. In fact, there are many different types of gin beyond just London Dry Gin.
One of the key differences between “Gin” and London Dry Gin is that regular gin does not have to adhere to any specific production methods or regulations. This means that the distiller has more freedom when it comes to adding ingredients or flavors during production.
The production methods for gin vary depending on the distillery. Some gins are made using a similar process as London Dry Gin where all of the botanicals are added during distillation. Others may use a combination of both maceration and distillation to create their unique flavor profiles.
One thing that sets gin apart from other spirits is that it can be infused with a wide range of ingredients beyond just juniper berries and traditional botanicals. For example, some gins may be infused with flowers, fruit, or even tea to create unique flavor profiles.
The Differences Between London Dry Gin and Gin
So, what are the key differences between London Dry Gin and regular Gin? The main difference comes down to production methods and regulations.
London Dry Gin must adhere to strict regulations set forth by the European Union including only adding botanicals during distillation and no artificial ingredients or sweeteners after distillation. Regular gin does not have any specific regulations governing its production methods which gives distillers more freedom when it comes to creating unique flavor profiles.
Another difference between these two types of gin is in their flavor profile. Due to the strict regulations surrounding its production, London Dry Gin tends to have a more uniform flavor profile compared to regular gin which can vary greatly from distillery to distillery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while both London Dry Gin and regular gin are made using similar production methods, the main difference between these two types of gin comes down to regulations and flavor profile. London Dry Gin must adhere to strict regulations set forth by the European Union and only contain botanicals added during distillation.
Regular gin has more freedom when it comes to production methods and can be infused with a wider range of ingredients. Regardless of which type of gin you prefer, both offer a wide range of flavors and versatility that make them a staple in any cocktail lover’s liquor cabinet.