Review

Greenall's Original Gin

G & J Greenall International (Quintessential Brands), Risley, Warrington, England, UK. Distributed in the USA by Crosby Lake Spirits, St. Paul, Minnesota.

G& J Greenall, Quintessential Brands and Crosby Lake Spirits.

Established back in 1761, Greenall’s are the oldest continuously producing London Dry Gin distillery in the world. Thomas Dakin built the distillery initially, Edward Greenall started using it and in 1870 it was purchased completely (The G&J comes from Edward’s younger brothers – Gilbert & John). The previous chairman, Lord Daresbury, was a direct descendent of Edward Greenall. The family motto “Alto Peto” translates as "I Strive Higher". This once cottage based industry is now the second largest gin distillery in Britain, producing over 50% of the UK’s Gin and almost 15% of the world’s Gin. In 2011 the business was bought by Quintessential Brands.

This Gin is the same recipe from 1761 – Warrington Gin – and has continued to the same standards since. It was relaunched in 2009 with a simple clear rectangular bottle and a black label with dark green stripes. Celebrating their 250th Anniversary this was repackaged again in 2011. The same bottle was kept but a green Union Jack (British flag) is used for the label instead. In 2013 sales reached over 1.2 million bottles for the first time ever, proving this repackaging has worked well especially with a younger generation of Gin drinkers.

The same family recipe from 1761 is still used today. A triple distilled wheat grain base spirit is used with purified water. The botanicals are steeped for at least 24 hours before being redistilled for a fourth time in a copper pot still.

Interestingly enough this uses the same recipe and botanicals as Bombay Original Gin, the only key difference being Bombay is vapor infused rather than macerated, for the final distillation of the botanicals.

London Dry Gin.

40% (80 Proof).

$ - $$. Available online at: 67 Liquor, Merwin Liquors and Drink Up NY.

Uses 8 botanicals including: almonds, angelica roots, cassia bark, coriander, juniper berries, liquorice, lemon peel and orris.

Named after the founder, Edward Greenall.

On the nose are mild juniper and citrus (lemon) with faint spice notes. On the palate this medium bodied spirit displays the juniper and lemon from the aroma and a light sweetness with faint floral notes. There is a smooth bitter (cassia), peppery and spicy (coriander) short finish (with an undercurrent of sweetness continuing).

This Gin has all the signs of a classic London Dry Gin but in a mild manner. This makes a reasonable Dry Martini and a pleasant summer time Gin and Tonic (go heavy on the Gin). However one must be careful not to lose it in overbearing mixed drinks due to its mild flavor. It is a simple, rather than complex Gin and at this price, is a very good everyday quality Gin for the mild Gin drinker.

93 Points, Wine Enthusiast.

92 Points, Beverage Testing Institute.

Silver Medal, Gin Masters, 2015.

Silver Medal, Gin Masters, 2013.

Bronze Medal, International Spirits Challenge, 2013.

Bronze Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2013.

Silver Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2012.

Silver Medal, International Wine and Spirit Competition, 2012.