Review

Gordon's
Crisp Cucumber Gin

Alexander Gordon & Co, Cameronbridge Distillery, Windygates, Leven, Fife, Scotland (Diageo Company), London, England, UK. Imported into the USA by Diageo North America, Norwalk, Connecticut.

Gordon’s Gin and Diageo.

Established 1769 by Alexander Gordon (of Scottish descent and the same year he married) in Southwark, London, UK. It is believed Gordon’s were possibly the first but certainly the early founders of the London Dry category of Gin. Alexander was followed by 2 further generations until Charles Gordon sold the company in 1877 to John Currie and Co. In 1898 they merged with Charles Tanqueray and Co (to form Tanqueray Gordon & Co.) making it the world’s largest gin company at that time. In 1941 their London Distillery was destroyed in a German bombing raid and the only piece to survive was a copper pot still called “Old Tom”, now over 200 years old.

The Distillers Company Ltd (DCL) bought them in 1922 and in 1986 Guiness bought DCL, creating United Distillers (UD) a year later. In 1997 UD merged with Grand Metropolitan to create Diageo. In 1998 all production for Gordon’s Gin was moved from England to Fife in Scotland. Diageo sell in over 180 countries and truly are worldwide.

The Gordon’s brand is the top-selling gin in nearly every European market and the number two selling gin in the world (Ginebra San Miguel currently holds top spot). 100 million bottles of Gordon’s gin are produced each year and it is sold in 150 countries across the globe – this is a tough act to follow – their slogan back in the 1970’s wasn’t far wrong: “It’s got to be Gordon’s”.

In early 2013 this product was released, using the original Gordon’s Gin with cucumber flavor.

The base spirit is probably made from locally grown wheat, is distilled twice and has followed the same recipe for nearly 250 years. A third & final distillation with botanicals is carried out in copper pot stills using 100% natural ingredients. Cucumber flavoring is added after this stage. The Gin is presented in clear rectangular bottles with a white label.

Legend has it that members of the Gordon Clan saved the King of Scotland from a wild boar while out hunting. Since then the clan have been using a boar’s head on its coat of arms and their Gin bottles have a Royal Boars head crest on its packaging.

Flavored Gin - Cucumber.

37.5% (75 Proof).

$$-$$$. Not available in the USA (yet), try Master of Malt in the UK and be prepared to add another 80% for shipping.

The 7 Botanicals used are: angelica root, coriander seeds, juniper berries, lemon peel, liquorice, orange peel and orris root. In addition to these, natural cucumber flavoring (and possibly others) is added.

Named after the original founder, Alexander Gordon, and the key flavor of cucumber.

On the nose is cucumber and citrus (lemon) with “green” notes (like grass). On the palate this sweet spirit shows oily tangy citrus (lemon) and light juniper. This broadens out to include a crispness with spice (coriander). The close has a cool refreshing cucumber, light juniper and faint bitterness with “green” freshness coming through. This is a clean and simple Gin.

This does not taste like the original Gordon’s Gin but has elements of London Dry and sweet cucumber. Gordon’s recommends this be mixed with tonic water and garnished with a slice of cucumber and citrus (lemon or lime). The Gin & Tonic is certainly where this spirit excels. It’s bright, refreshing, subtle and slightly sweet whilst displaying Gin qualities – great for a summer’s day. In a Martini it is understated and ideal for something light and breezy, not always the qualities an ardent gin drinker will look for. Other Gin based mixed drinks need to be chosen with care as stronger styles tend to overpower this delicate gin.

Gordon’s have taken a bold step especially as they are not normally renowned for their innovation by comparison to say, Beefeater. This being said, they have delivered a cool and summer fun party drink, whose sweetness may not meet everyone’s palate but will open up access to Gin for others e.g. the young twenty-something crowd. Many will obviously try to compare this product with other Gins with cucumber in (e.g. Hendricks) but to be fair this is quite a different beast, and it is at a great price - well done to all at Gordon’s Gin!

Unknown.