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Gin guide
What is Gin?
Gin is simply a neutral spirit flavoured with juniper berries. Many other ingredients can be used in addition, but juniper berries must be the most prominent aroma for the product to be sold as Gin.
Types of Gin
There are many types of Gin and these come in different degrees of dryness.
Dryness level
Regardless of the type, Gin can be labeled ‘Dry’, given that the sugar content is 0.1 grams per liter or lower. If the Gin is not labeled ‘Dry’, the sugar content and sweetness may be higher.
The different types of Gin
Gin | Distilled Gin | London Gin | Old Tom Gin |
| Gin in its most general form can be made in a variety of ways, such as by adding extracts and essences. | Gin where the flavour is obtained by distillation of the ingredients. The product can also be flavoured in other ways, for example by using extracts and essences. | Gin where the flavour is achieved solely by distilling the ingredients. London Gin also has stricter requirements for the ‘purity’ of the spirit and is by definition ‘Dry’. | This is not a strictly defined type of Gin, but the term is associated with an old-fashioned Gin style with more sugar and sweetness. |
Which Gin should I choose?
London Gin has the strictest requirements for the ‘purity’ of the spirit. Otherwise, there are few significant quality differences between the different types. What you should decide is how much sweetness you want. If you want a slightly rounded Gin & Tonic or Martini cocktail, a Gin style that is not dry (i.e. NOT Dry or London) can be a good alternative. In other drinks such as Collins where sugar is added to the drink, you will be able to adjust the sweetness with the sugar, so here a dry Gin (i.e. Dry or London) gives the greatest opportunity to adjust the degree of sweetness.Alternatives to Gin
If you want to broaden your horizons, there are many exciting alternatives to Gin. Juniper berry spirits such as Genever and Korenwijn are well-known examples, and these also came into the world long before Gin.
What is the difference between Gin, Genever and Korenwijn?
Other juniper berry spirits do not necessarily have as clear a juniper character as Gin, but the aroma of juniper should still be distinct. The spirit used can also be more characterful and full-bodied. Genever and Korenwijn are good alternatives if you think the juniper character of Gin can be overwhelming and want a spirit that gives a little extra body and shows a little more of what it is made of.
Furthermore, Genever can only be produced in Belgium, the Netherlands and certain parts of France and Germany, while Gin, even London Gin, can be produced anywhere in the world.
Some Genever is also aged in barrels, something the spirit is better suited to than Gin because it has more character and therefore better potential for development. This is often indicated by the use of terms such as Zeer Oude or Extra Oude.
The difference between the different types of Genever and Korenwijn is mainly about sweetness and body and the raw material character of the spirit itself:
| Jonge Genever Jonge Genever is a modern expression of Genever. The style is lighter and often less sweet than Oude Genever. | Oude Genever This is old-fashioned style Genever. Oude Genever is fuller, has more of a raw feel and can be sweeter than Jonge Genever. | Korenwijn Korenwijn is often fuller and more raw than Oude Genever. |
Both Jonge and Oude can come as so-called Graangenever. This is Genever where the base spirit is made exclusively from grain, which gives the spirit a crisp or malty character.
Should I choose Gin, Oude/Jonge Genever or Korenwijn?
Jonge and lighter versions of Oude Genever can be fun options when you want to tone down the juniper flavour or create a slightly fuller variation on a traditional Gin & Tonic or Martini. Korenwijn and fuller types of Oude Genever are nice options if you want to enjoy the spirit alone, as these have enough body and complexity to be enjoyed on their own.