Review

Bell Ringer Gin

Made in England, UK, by an unspecified distillery. Bottled and distributed in the USA by Frank-Lin Distillers Products Ltd., Fairfield, Solano County, California.

Frank-Lin Distillers.

Frank-Lin was established in 1933 and taken over in 1966 by Frank and Lin Maestri. They took the company from a single line plant producing 60,000 cases annually to a rectifying, bottling and warehousing business capable of issuing 10 million cases annually. Their children have supported the business and one of their sons, Vince Maestri, is the current President and CEO.

On the bottle it refers to being an “old world recipe” but we have no details to this.

London Dry Gin.

47.2% (94 Proof).

$ - $$.

Unknown.

On the bottle is a Friar/Monk with a hand bell. Whilst not experts in this field, we believe members of these religious orders would sometimes use hand bells during services but also to call other members to meals (during which alcoholic beverages maybe included). Thus our guess is the name Bell Ringer is a call to partake of this drink!

On the nose are clear citrus (lemon) and some alcohol aromas. On the palate this medium bodied spirit shows a classic Gin taste of juniper and citrus with a peppery juniper finish. The high proof alcohol burn is also noticeable on the palate.

This is for die-hard Gin drinkers and not for the faint of heart. We do not recommend this as a sipping Gin but it is certainly good for mixing. Think long cocktails and this, with its strong classic Gin flavor, will almost invariably suit. If you are using this in short cocktails then be prepared for a little alcohol heat to penetrate through.

85 Points, Beverage Testing Institute.

Double Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2010.