Most people that know me are aware that I am a gin & tonic guy. I’ve drank all sorts of liquors over the years, but I really have acquired a taste for gin.
Bombay Sapphire
My first choice in gin
Some years ago [at least ten] I decided to branch out of my Bacardi Rum staple and add a clear alcohol to my mixed drink arsenal. Rum and Coke was my drink of choice almost every time, but I wanted to see what all the fuss about gin was. I was in Vegas and when the drink order was taken, I found myself blurting out “I’ll have a gin and tonic” The restaurant was a bit nicer than your average casual dining type so when I was asked if I had a gin preference, I replied, “What do you suggest?” Bombay Sapphire was recommended. And ever since that day in January, I’ve not looked back [and have rarely ordered a Rum and Coke].
There are two types of Bombay. The Sapphire is in the clear blue bottle, as pictured above. The non-Sapphire version is in a clear bottle. While I’ve picked the standard Bombay a few times, I much prefer the Sapphire for it’s smooth taste and how well it mixes with tonic and a squeeze of lime.
The only major downfall to Sapphire is it’s price. It’s a good 25% more than other gins. But so worth the extra cost for a drink you will enjoy.
Less Is Sometimes Good
Comparable to the Sapphire for this gin guy
Even though I just proclaimed my love for the Sapphire, I do admit that it’s nice to have a more reasonable gin on hand. For those times when you want a good gin when you plan to have multiple drinks. And for that, I have found that New Amsterdam doesn’t disappoint. It’s smooth like Sapphire, but at a good 40% less at most liquor stores [around $26 for a 1.5l vs. $47 for the Bombay Sapphire bottle of the same size]. And to others that appreciate gin, they have all complimented this brand with equal admiration.
Equal choices in my opinion and taste.
Now, I’ll try Tanqueray here and there and it’s really not a bad gin. And I will have Beefeater if it’s a choice between that brand and a generic well gin. But all preferences point towards the above two gins for my regular consumption of adult beverages.
Any particular brand of alcohol that you prefer over others?
Sapphire is an awesome gin. Usually my go-to brand as well. Except for when I’m in the mood for Hendrick’s Gin. Have you tried it? It’s really great…with a hint of cucumber, believe it or not. Makes a great martini.
Here’s the rest of my go-to brands:
Scotch – Lagavulin
Irish Whiskey – Red Breast or Bushmill’s Black
Bourbon – still working on it. I’ve got a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 23-year old that is crazy good, but way to expensive to drink often. Let’s go with good ole Jim Beam. Or Maker’s Mark. Or really any of them…I love bourbon.
Tennessee Whiskey – I prefer George Dickel over Jack Daniels.
Rye – Rittenhouse 100 proof
Vodka – they all taste the same to me. Not a vodka guy.
Tequila – Well…on the expensive side? Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia. One of the best alcohols out there. But it is pricey. So let’s go with Cazadores Reposado. A damn fine tequila.
Thank you for these suggestions, Earl. I’ve not tried Hendrick’s before, but my friend Tim has as says it’s really good.
For bourbon, I don’t mind Jim Beam, but prefer Maker’s Mark.
I’m more of a Canadian Whiskey – Crown Royal
For vodka, I prefer Pinnacle, Finlandia or Svedka for regular drinking. Ketel One for higher end.
Tequila is Patrone Silver, but again with my friend Tim, the Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia is the top end for special occasions. We used to drink this brand called Porfidio Cactus, which is a repasado and very good. But very hard to find.
Porfidio is an absolutely fantastic tequila. I was in a bar in Jacksonville FL a bunch of years back with some work folk. I spied a bottle on their shelf and ordered one on the rocks for which the bartender charged me something ridiculously inexpensive like $3. THAT was a good night out.
It remains my favorite of all Tequilas. The bottle I am thinking of is the one with the handblown cactus inside the bottle.
$3 is insanely cheap for porfidio. We used to pay $7 a shot over 10 years ago.
One of these days when I have an extra $110, I will purchase a bottle and share it with friends (yes, Tim, it will happen one day)
Oooh…forgot Rum. Let’s go with a new one. Called The Kraken. A black spiced rum. Mixes well with ginger beer for a Dark and Stormy. But use Barritt’s Ginger Beer instead of Gosling’s if you can find it. Much better. Phew.
Making a liquor run this weekend (Nevada) and will look for The Kraken.
I’ve gotta say I really enjoy Sapphire too. Thankfully I don’t have to buy it too often because I don’t make g&ts at home all too regularly. But I’ve got a bottle of Beefeater on the standby for the day my Sapphire goes kaput.
Never had this New Amsterdam, though. Should try it.
As I mentioned above, Beefeater is not bad, but as we both agree, Sapphire is first choice.
I don’t drink enough to have a favorite brand of anything right now. I will have to read the comments and try out all the suggestions in addition to your suggestions.
For those times when you have a drink, Sapphire is a really good choice.
Thanks to overdosing on Southern Comfort and then Tequila many many moons ago, I can’t drink anything but beer and wine. Even the smell of liquor makes my stomach turn even after 18 years 😉
Which is good to know if you are I are at the same place drinking. You get the beer and wine and I’ll raid the gin and vodka bottles. 😉
I seriously hate gin, and I drink vodka martinis when I even have one.
Favorites: Grey Goose (whatever, B. E. Earl!); Crystal Head (fantastic bottle); and some crazy Polish potato vodka I had years ago and cannot find again that was my absolute favorite, ever.
This is also why I like vodka a lot.. so when you and I meet and drink and hang out, we’ll be drinking the same thing. 🙂
I’m still ugh about gin. I’ve only tried it once so many years ago. I probably wasn’t even 21 yet. I dunno if I’d have a taste for it now or not. I definitely wouldn’t buy it over one of my usuals, like Maker’s Mark or Sailor Jerry’s. I’d give it a try if I was sipping someone else’s though 🙂
Yes, gin is an acquired taste, that’s for sure. While vodka goes down pretty easily, I’ve heard some say that gin is like drinking paint thinner.
Must add Sailor Jerry’s to my list of rums to try.
I wish I liked gin, but I just don’t. It tastes like evergreens. I have to stick to rum and coke or vodka tonics. Mmmmmm.
Vodka tonics also work. Gin is an acquired taste, that’s for sure. It’s one of those love/hate/dislike alcohols for many.