Review

Horse Guard Gin

Glen Catrine Ltd., Catrine, Ayrshire (Loch Lomand Distillers, Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire), Scotland, UK.

Loch Lomand Distillery.

Loch Lomand Distillers are a large family run business, established in 1842 by Gabriel Bulloch, partnering with Glasgow based JH Dewar. As this wholesale company grew (expanding beyond the supply of just Whiskey to include Gin and Vodka), they required a bottling plant and subsequently set up the Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse Ltd. By this time Gabriel Bulloch had died, with the company run by his son Alexander (Sandy) Bulloch (the current chairman) as A. Bulloch & Co. Ltd. By 1985 the supply of Whisky was harder to find to meet demand and a malt distillery, Loch Lomand Distillery Co. Ltd., was purchased (based by the River Leven, at the southern end of Loch Lomand). They also obtained Glen Scotia Distillery in Cambeltown, Argyll, Scotland. This is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, but with less than 6 employees, it is one of the most efficient. Today Loch Lomand Distillers is the second largest family owned distiller in Scotland.

The marketing slogan for this particular spirit is: “Gin as it used to be”.

Made from 100% neutral grain spirit, the actual production process is undisclosed.

The Gin is presented in a tall clear oblong bottle with a large white label, the writing is predominately black colored but “Horse Guard” is in white on a red background. There is a drawing of a mounted member of British Army’s Life Guards regiment in ceremonial dress with the “Horse Guards” building in the background, all representative of the Gin’s name.

London Dry Gin.

40% (80 Proof).

$ - $$. Not available in the USA and we have been unable to identify a supplier able to ship to the USA. Available from Uvinum for European customers.

Unknown.

Horse Guards is a building in central London and is the formal entrance to St. James’s Palace (one of the many homes of the British Sovereign). It is also home to two Army regiments (collectively called The Household Calvary): The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals. They are an armoured unit and participate in regular army service (including combat), but they also perform ceremonial duties, usually on horseback. The Blues & Royals are readily identified by their blue tunics and red plumes whilst The Life Guards wear red tunics with white plumes. Ironically, the Gin Act of 1736 led to rioting in London and the Household Calvary played a role in quelling rioters and patrolled the streets to help keep the peace.

On the nose is strong alcohol. On the palate is light juniper and faint citrus with a strong alcohol “bite”.

This is not a sipping Gin and is not recommended in a Martini. You may find this to be acceptable in a Gin & Tonic and a Tom Collins. This is best for long fruit drinks and punches; the low price makes this an accessible party Gin for people on a reduced budget.

Unknown.