Review

Bankes Gin

Campari Group (Gruppo Campari), Sesto San Giovanni, Milan, Italy (but made by Langley Distillery, Birmigham, England, UK).

Bankes and Campari Group. 

Headquartered in Milan, Italy The Campari Group (Gruppo Campari) produce and sell a range spirits, wine and soft drinks – with Campari being their namesake and the aperitif Campari bitter their flagship brand. Working across nearly 200 countries, they employ over 4,000 people and are considered to be the 6th largest business in the industry.

Italian founder Gaspare Campari was born in 1828 and at age 14 became a waiter, developing an interest in drinks and people’s drinking habits. Eventually he opened his own string of bars, making his own bitters, cordials and liqueurs – including the now famous “Campari” - and establishing the company in 1860. Gaspare’s son Davide took over the company and in 1926 concentrated all efforts on to the single Campari brand and international markets. The company remained operating as Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., even after his death in 1936, and by the 1970’s was controlled by Domenico Garavoglia – with the Garavoglia family having a 51% controlling share in the company today.

Since the 1990’s Campari has expanded by acquisition including: world distribution rights for SKYY Spirits (excluding the USA); Greek brand Ouzo 12; Italian Vermouth Cinzano; Asti sparkling white wine; Aperol and Averna; Enrico Serafino and Mondoro wines; Braemar, Glen Grant and Old Smuggler whisky brands; Wray & Nephew and Appleton Estate Rums; Cabo Wabo Tequila; Wild Turkey Kentucky bourbon; Carolans Irish Cream; Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur; and Grappa Frattina.

This Gin is a collaboration between Langley Distillery, who have been distilling Gin in the UK for over 150 years, and Campari for the Italian market. We believe the Gin was launched in spring 2013.

The Gin is made from two recipes, using 2 different copper pot stills (Jenny and Angela). “Jenny” is a 10,000-liter still, installed in 1994 (it is their newest) and is believed to be the largest working still in England, if not Europe. “Angela” is named after the mother of Adam Wallis-Palmer, the current Managing Director of Langley Distillery. This is a 3,000-liter still made in 1903 by John Dore & Co. and is said to be the oldest working copper pot still in the UK. We understand a 300-year-old recipe is used in Angela and the Gins from the two stills are blended together. We suspect the resultant blend is shipped to Italy and bottled by Campari.

The Gin is presented in a tall clear rectangular bottle with an extended neck for bartenders to grasp more easily. It has a square label in the middle with Bankes London Dry Gin clearly displayed on it and a smaller rectangular label towards the bottom of the bottle. This is simple and classic in style and design.

London Dry Gin.

40% (80 Proof).

$$$. Not available in the USA as it is made exclusively for Italy. However, it is available in other European countries and online. Try Drankenwereld in Belgium who ship worldwide, although you will need to contact them direct for a shipping price if outside of the EU. 

Uses 10 botanicals including: angelica root (Belgium), cassia, cinnamon, coriander, juniper berries, lemon peel, liquorice (Italy), nutmeg, orange peel and orris root (Italy).

Unknown.

Unfortunately we have yet to sample this Gin. We understand it is a relatively simple and straightforward with juniper, citrus and light spice. However we believe what separates it from most Gins is it has been created (by Campari and Langley’s) with a Negroni in mind. The Negroni is made with Campari, red/sweet Vermouth and Gin and now, with Bankes Gin, a Negroni can be made with products all from the Campari Group – we can’t wait to try one (not with a slice of lemon, common in the USA, but with an orange slice as is more usual in Europe).

Unknown.