Review

Greenall's Special Gin

G & J Greenall International (Quintessential Brands), Risley, Warrington, England, UK.

G& J Greenall and Quintessential Brands.

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 as the same as Greenall’s Original except the ABV is kept at 48%.

Production is the same as Greenall's Original Gin: 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 Gin, the key difference being Bombay is vapor infused rather than macerated, for the final distillation of the botanicals. The presentation is different too: it has a dark blue label (and cap) with white writing and gold detailing but is still in a clear rectangular bottle.

London Dry Gin.

48% (96 Proof).

$$$. Only available in Europe and then only in limited quantities, hard to track down!

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

Named after the founder, Edward Greenall – the “special” referring to the ABV being kept at 48% rather than the 40% of Greenall’s Original.

This is the same as Greenall’s Original Gin; the key tasting difference is the juniper and lemon being more pronounced:

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 gentle manner. This makes a reasonable Martini and a pleasant summer time Gin and Tonic. However one must be careful not to lose it in overbearing mixed drinks due to its mildness. It is a simple, rather than complex Gin and at this price, is a very good everyday quality Gin for the average Gin drinker.

Unknown.