Sip #10 2024

The Gin

Hello Reader, Happy Friday!
In this edition, we cover :

Gin of the Week: Nordic Bareksten Gin 🫐

🍸Howdy Reader, today we explore the wild flavors of the Nordic wilderness in a bottle, crafted with love and a touch of Viking spirit. But first, let me tell you about the man behind this magic – Stig Bareksten. Picture a modern-day Viking with a passion for all things gin, from the rugged landscapes of Norway to the bustling bars of Oslo 🇳🇴. He's like a gin wizard, weaving botanical spells with every sip!

So grab your glasses and let's dive into the untamed bottle of Bareksten Gin, a Norwegian masterpiece crafted with precision and passion! 🍸 Let's dive into the tasting journey, exploring each category to uncover the secrets of this exceptional spirit. Here are the tasting notes.

🌲 Juniper: 4/5 - The juniper shines brightly, reflecting the rugged Norwegian landscape where it's sourced. Its presence is bold and unmistakable, setting the tone for the entire flavor profile.

🍋 Citrus: 4/5 - Citrus notes dance gracefully on the palate, thanks to the infusion of lemon, orange, and lime peel. Each sip bursts with zesty brightness, adding a refreshing twist to the gin's complexity.

🌸 Floral: 3/5 - Delicate floral tones from rose, lavender, and elderflower emerge subtly, like wildflowers blooming amidst the Nordic wilderness. While not overpowering, they contribute to the gin's aromatic bouquet.

🍇 Fruit: 3/5 - Lingonberries and blueberries lend a hint of fruity sweetness, reminiscent of Nordic forests teeming with ripe berries. Their presence adds depth to the flavor profile without overshadowing the other botanicals.

🌿 Herbal: 4/5 - A symphony of herbal notes, including chamomile, mint, and fennel, adds layers of complexity to the gin. Each herb brings its unique character, contributing to the gin's rich and nuanced taste.

🌶️ Spice: 3/5 - Subtle yet intriguing spice undertones from caraway, aniseed, and nutmeg linger on the palate, adding warmth and depth to the gin's profile. The spice blend complements the other botanicals harmoniously.

🍹 ABV: 46% - With a robust alcohol content, this gin packs a punch while remaining balanced and smooth. Perfect for sipping neat or elevating your favorite cocktails to new heights.

Overall Rating: 4 / 5

Bareksten Gin | THE SPIRIT OF Bareksten

Masterclass: Homemade Gin (in 5 Steps)🍸

Alright, class, buckle up because today we're diving into the fascinating world of gin-making! Imagine yourself as a master distiller, ready to unlock the secrets of crafting this beloved spirit.
Here's your personal 5-step journey into the heart of gin-making:

Step 1: Gather Your Tools 🛠️ Before we begin, let's make sure you have everything you need:

Neutral Grain Spirit or Vodka (preferably around 40% ABV)
Botanicals (juniper, citrus, herbs, spices)
Still (such as an air still or water distiller)
Glass jars with lids (for macerating)
Measuring spoons and scales
Funnel
Mixing bowl
Fine mesh strainer
Bottles for storing your finished gin

Step 2: Meet the Base Spirit 🍹 First things first, let's get acquainted with our base spirit. Think of it as the blank canvas awaiting your artistic touch. Whether it's store-bought vodka or a homemade grain spirit, this is where the magic begins.

Step 3: Infuse with Botanicals 🌿 Now comes the fun part – adding botanicals! Juniper, citrus, herbs, spices – the choice is yours. It's like creating your own potion in a magical cauldron. Stir in those flavors and let them work their aromatic wonders.

Step 4: Fine-Tune Your Flavors 🎨 Time to play mad scientist and fine-tune your creation. Experiment with different ratios of botanicals until you find the perfect balance of flavors. This is where the real artistry comes into play, so don't be afraid to get creative!

Step 5: Distill to Perfection 🌟 Now, it's time to fire up the still and distill your concoction to perfection. Watch as the liquid transforms before your eyes, becoming clearer and more refined with each passing moment. It's like witnessing magic in action!

So there you have it, your personal 5-step guide to becoming a gin-making aficionado. Now, go forth and unleash your creativity upon the world of spirits. Cheers to your newfound skills – may your glasses always be full and your concoctions always be delightful! 🥂

Story: Old Tom Gin 🗝️

Old Tom Gin, a name that evokes curiosity and intrigue, has a history as rich and complex as its flavor profile. Dating back to the 1700s, this spirit has undergone numerous transformations over the years, each adding to its mystique and allure.

In the midst of the famed 'Gin Craze' between 1720 and 1751, Old Tom Gin emerged as a sweeter alternative to the traditional London Dry gin. Infused with natural sweeteners like liquorice root and rose water, it captured the palates of gin enthusiasts across England. However, its popularity was not without consequence, as the unregulated production of gin led to a host of social issues, including rampant alcoholism and blindness caused by contaminated spirits.

Legend has it that the name "Old Tom" originated from clandestine gin shops, where shopkeepers used the symbol of a black cat to signify their illegal distilleries hidden underground. Another tale attributes the name to Captain Dudley Bradstreet, who ingeniously skirted the restrictions of the Gin Act by dispensing gin through a lead pipe concealed within a cat-shaped sign. Regardless of its origins, Old Tom Gin became synonymous with innovation and subversion, earning its place in the annals of spirits history.

As Old Tom Gin gained popularity, its influence spread far and wide, crossing the Atlantic and inspiring the creation of iconic cocktails like the Tom Collins. Originating in the 19th century, this refreshing libation combined Old Tom Gin with lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, delighting drinkers with its crisp and invigorating taste. Yet, perhaps the most enduring legacy of Old Tom Gin lies not in its name or history, but in the timeless pleasure it brings to those who savor its distinctive flavor.

And speaking of Old Tom Gin, scroll down for a unique recipe👇

Old Tom Gin | Wiki

Cocktail for the week: Ampersand Cocktail🍹

Chauncey Gin and Cognac Cocktail Recipe | PUNCH

Ingredients:

1 ounce Cognac
1 ounce Old Tom Gin
1 ounce Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes of Orange Bitters

Instructions:

Fill a mixing glass with ice.
Add the Cognac, Old Tom Gin, Sweet Vermouth, and orange bitters to the mixing glass.
Stir the ingredients well until thoroughly chilled, about 30 seconds.
Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
Optionally, garnish with an orange twist or a Luxardo cherry.
Enjoy your delicious Ampersand cocktail!

This cocktail offers a rich and flavorful experience, combining the depth of Cognac with the botanical complexity of Old Tom Gin, balanced by the sweetness of vermouth and the subtle citrus notes from the orange bitters. It's a sophisticated drink that's perfect for sipping and savoring. Cheers! 🥃