In my ongoing mission to find a good gin, I’ve had some ups and downs.
Up? Why, Tanqueray No. 10, which was the first premium brand of gin I tried out. It taught me that there is a difference betwen the cheap(ish) stuff and the higher price stuff.
Down? Well, maybe I got a bad bottle, but Hendricks was a massive disappointment. It taught me that, even though you have a high price (around $27 for a 750 ml bottle), you might taste like crap.
So I had no great expectations when I tried the humorously named Wet by Beefeater this week (note: “this week” does not necessarily mean that I go through a bottle of this stuff every week). I bought it on a whim, while Amy was picking up some Rieslings at the Wine Library.
It was a mid-price point brand ($18 for 750ml), and had classier packaging than the regular brand. And that was enough to sway me. I’m easy.
So how does it stack up? It’s awfully darn good in my standard gin & tonic combo. It has a really interesting “high note” that I couldn’t place. I checked out the label and realized that it’s infused with pear. Amy liked it in the martini I made for her, so we’re willing to Nick-and-Nora it up with a gin called Wet by Beefeater for a while.
If you come by for the Superbowl next week, I promise to make one of my un-American drinks for you. It’ll go well with Amy’s Frito-pie.
Now, I’m no gin expert (unfortunately the natural depressant properties of juniper turn me into a crying mess) but my G&T-loving friends swear by Bombay Sapphire…..
Gil, gin and tonics are very American… from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Thanks, Martha Spurgeon.
I’ll have you know, year-long G&T dosing is CRITICAL in my malaria-prevention regimen!