Gin Gin Gin

oleras

the beer revolu wrote: »

Thanks for that.

So for their Shepherd's Purse, they copied the Blackwater bottle (same bottle, just the 70cl version) and for their Aldi gin they went for a squat, blue bottle rather like Gunpowder's.

Hmmmm.

Imitation...flattery...blah blah blah...:pac:

I tried the Blackwater No.5 a few weeks ago below in Gallaghers in Cork, one of my favs that night i must say.

Choc Chip

the beer revolu wrote: »

Thanks for that.

So for their Shepherd's Purse, they copied the Blackwater bottle (same bottle, just the 70cl version) and for their Aldi gin they went for a squat, blue bottle rather like Gunpowder's.

Hmmmm.

In fairness, there are only a certain range of bottles available unless you're ordering them specifically (and that's expensive). I don't have them in front of me, but I think the Botanist was out with a very similar bottle to to Blackwater back in 2011 (and I think Blackwater launched in 2015?) and Bombay Sapphire has had a squat blue bottle for as far back as I remember (though rectangular rather than round). I wouldn't be expecting every new brand to be launching with a new, eccentric style of bottle (and I'm doubtful pub shelving sizes would appreciate it either).

I'm not associated with West Cork, just to be clear.

the beer revolu

Choc Chip wrote: »

In fairness, there are only a certain range of bottles available unless you're ordering them specifically (and that's expensive). I don't have them in front of me, but I think the Botanist was out with a very similar bottle to to Blackwater back in 2011 (and I think Blackwater launched in 2015?) and Bombay Sapphire has had a squat blue bottle for as far back as I remember (though rectangular rather than round). I wouldn't be expecting every new brand to be launching with a new, eccentric style of bottle (and I'm doubtful pub shelving sizes would appreciate it either).

I'm not associated with West Cork, just to be clear.

There are hundreds if not thousands of off the shelf bottles out there. Yes, the Blackwater bottle is the same as the old Botanist bottle but they were no longer using it when Blackwater launched and it's from a different country. Helsinki Gin, Pinkster and Chilgrove also use this bottle.

The Bombay bottle is tall, square and blue - nothing like the Rabbit Island or Gunpowder bottles other than the colour.

The Irish craft gin range is quite small. I don't think it's an accident that when designing 2 Irish own brand products that the bottles just happen to be similar to two successful Irish craft gin bottles on the market.

To be honest, I don't think it will hurt either business but it does show a lack of originality.

Choc Chip

While there are thousands of bottles out there, they're variations on a theme (or very strange) and if picking an off-the-shelf bottle for a product then a company can't complain when some else uses it. If they'd gone for a short squat bottle it might be said that they were like shortcross, or a tall rectangular that they were like dingle. There are plenty of companies out there that will make a unique bottle on spec if that's what is required to differentiate a product, but hopefully you're right and consumers will choose on taste rather than bottle shape.

I haven't actually seen Rabbit Island, but I picked the Bombay sapphire bottle based on your wording.There is also King Soho if we're looking at short blue bottles or Hendricks if we're just looking at short coloured rounds.

You can pick out any criteria for what you feel they copied, or differentiate on what you feel they should be compared against, but personally I feel the greatest differentiator will be the label and the gin itself, rather than the bottle shape. I don't think it's something that should be picked on as a comparator or something that should be seen as a "lack of originality".

To try and drag the thread back on topic, I just got a text to say my friend has Jinzu Gin which is a Japanese Gin make of sake. Can't wait to try it at Christmas!

cee_jay

I've tried that Jinzu gin and wasn't a fan. I found it quite floral or something? It maybe was too sweet for me as I would prefer gin to be more on the bitter side.
Will be interested to hear what you think.

gryfothegreat

My family owns a (very small!) bar and after much persuasion my siblings have managed to talk my father into stocking decent gin - we've started small with a bottle of Dingle Gin and a bottle of Hendrick's. He's not sure about mixers though, he bought Fever Tree elderflower tonic but for plain tonic all we have is Schweppes.
I'm thinking of pairing the Hendrick's with the Schweppes tonic and cucumber shavings and the Dingle with the Fever Tree elderflower tonic and some blueberries or raspberries. I haven't really got a clue though so if you have any suggestions I'd be open to them!

anewme

gryfothegreat wrote: »

My family owns a (very small!) bar and after much persuasion my siblings have managed to talk my father into stocking decent gin - we've started small with a bottle of Dingle Gin and a bottle of Hendrick's. He's not sure about mixers though, he bought Fever Tree elderflower tonic but for plain tonic all we have is Schweppes.
I'm thinking of pairing the Hendrick's with the Schweppes tonic and cucumber shavings and the Dingle with the Fever Tree elderflower tonic and some blueberries or raspberries. I haven't really got a clue though so if you have any suggestions I'd be open to them!

I bought the Dingle Gin after a tasting at SuperValue. They had the Dingle Gin with Juniper berries and Orange segments (with a tiny segment from one of the segments squeezed into the glass) and paired with Poachers Well Tonic(which is flavoured with Orange and Rosemary)

Delicious!!!!

Slattsy

The orange and rosemary tonic is divine.

mikerd4

Anyone know where i can pick up Fentimans tonic or Fevertree Elderflower in North Kildare??(or there abouts?)

L1011

All the full Tesco stores will have the fever tree elderflower

anewme

o'Briens off-licence or a SuperValu

Melendez

This post has been deleted.

anewme

Melendez wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

:eek::eek:

sharkman

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Hmmm, €44 plus over €12 delivery..... I think I'll wait for O'Brien's to get it in!

Was really wondering if anyone had seen it stocked in a shop.

Thanks all the same.

Delivery used to be £5.37 now £10.37 with MAOM ..:eek::eek::eek:

Santa Claus

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Has anyone here come across Nordés Galician gin?

I recently had a taste of it and it was really unusual and gorgeous - would love to get my hands on a bottle.

Google has been no good to me, and O'Brien's say they've tried it and ordered it but it won't be in till January.

Anyone come across it in Dublin?

Tried Nordes when I was up in Galgorm earlier in the year (Their bar has over 300 gins)....Amazon have it for £24 and deliver to NI so can get it through parcel motel
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WRCXWGS

That's the only route I've been able to get it so far, there's no distributor for it in Ireland (I even rang Galgorm to ask where they got theirs and they buy it from some specialist gin importer in the UK).


I've been getting into Sipsmiths gin recently, pretty good stuff and about the same price as Bombay Sapphire.

anewme

Santa Claus wrote: »

Tried Nordes when I was up in Galgorm earlier in the year (Their bar has over 300 gins)....Amazon have it for £24 and deliver to NI so can get it through parcel motel
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WRCXWGS

That's the only route I've been able to get it so far, there's no distributor for it in Ireland (I even rang Galgorm to ask where they got theirs and they buy it from some specialist gin importer in the UK).


I've been getting into Sipsmiths gin recently, pretty good stuff and about the same price as Bombay Sapphire.

did not know Nordes was so well received. got it during the year when doing the Camino. The bottle weighed a ton.

mikerd4

Got the fevertree thanks. Will keep an eye open for the fentimans. Just need to find some juniper berries now....

the beer revolu

mikerd4 wrote: »

Got the fevertree thanks. Will keep an eye open for the fentimans. Just need to find some juniper berries now....

Any supermarket should have them with the herbs and spices

anewme

mikerd4 wrote: »

Got the fevertree thanks. Will keep an eye open for the fentimans. Just need to find some juniper berries now....

Keep an eye out for the poachers well tonic as well

jackie1983

anyone know where I can buy brockmans gin in Dublin?
I found a place in Artane but its a bit of a trek..
I wish all office licences sold this, its the nicest gin

smiddyboy

jackie1983 wrote: »

anyone know where I can buy brockmans gin in Dublin?
I found a place in Artane but its a bit of a trek..
I wish all office licences sold this, its the nicest gin

Martins Off Licence in Clontarf stock this.

http://www.martinsofflicence.ie/brockmans-premium-gin/

jackie1983

smiddyboy wrote: »

Martins Off Licence in Clontarf stock this.

http://www.martinsofflicence.ie/brockmans-premium-gin/

thanks a mill for this :):)

mikerd4

Got the juniper berries thanks

Tar.Aldarion

Currently making my way through these usual suspects, the vinegar and all.



Tried Jawbox gin recently, from Belfast I think, and was quite a fan.

SarahMollie

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

Currently making my way through these usual suspects, the vinegar and all.



Tried Jawbox gin recently, from Belfast I think, and was quite a fan.

Oooh whats the Rangpur from Tanqueray like? I bought I bottle of it on Wednesday when I was coming back from Spain as it was only €15 so I couldnt leave it behind *work travel costs me a fortune in Gin *

Any suggestions on what it would be nice with?

Tar.Aldarion

Not in my personal favourites but good! It's a very different tasting gin. I would say serve it with lime, now I hear you say but wait isn't it already lime flavoured? It's not! A rangpur lime is a mix between a lemon and a mandarin. It goes great with lime. Also a bit of ginger if you are feeling fancy. Enjoy!

(If I had my way everything would be served with elderflower )


Also like to mention i just tried Hendricks and thought it was terrible, maybe it was the cucumber - seems like an horrendous garnish. Must try it without that.

Jentle Grenade

The zest of a lime goes nicely with the Rangpur, I find a lime slice to be a bit too overpowering. It makes for a nice short too, with a nice ball of ice. Thin Gin for ourselves tonight.

cee_jay

Tar I'm with you on the cucumber. I don't understand its use as a garnish at all.
However I would have to disagree about the Jawbox. I had it on a visit to Belfast earlier this year and was not a fan. Found it quite floral.

Tar.Aldarion

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

(If I had my way everything would be served with elderflower )

I got a present of elderflower cordial (homemade) recently- are you serious? worth a try? What do I do? how much cordial etc? do i still use tonic?

(seriously would like to know)

Tar.Aldarion

Deleted User wrote: »

I got a present of elderflower cordial (homemade) recently- are you serious? worth a try? What do I do? how much cordial etc? do i still use tonic?

(seriously would like to know)

Woah woah I can tell you are excited I was serious as I love the pairing. You can buy elderflower tonic. But as most places don't have it you can get an elderflower flavoured drink and add a bit to your normal tonic. Cordial sounds strong (I have been using a carbonated elderflower drink from tesco with tonic) so just add a small bit and taste, add more until you think it's right. My favourite thing to drink would be gunpowder with elderflower tonic and a slice of grapefruit