Gin's botanical blueprint

Botanicals is a word often seen in relation to gin, but what actually are they? Drinks journalist Jacopo Mazzeo explores what botanicals are and how they add a new level to this juniper-based spirit. At its broadest legal definition, juniper berries (Juniperus communis) are the only botanical required for a spirit to be called gin. They provide the unmistakable resinous, piney backbone, along with bright citrus notes and subtle peppery spice that are the hallmarks of the spirit. An evergreen shrub or small tree, juniper is one of the most geographically widespread plants in the world. Much of the juniper used in gin production, however, comes from southern Europe, particularly Italy and North Macedonia, where the berries are prized for their high concentration of aromatic oils. Gins made using juniper as their sole botanical have been produced throughout history and continue to exist today, with Menorca’s traditional Gin de Mahón being a notable example. Yet they are the exception rath

by WSETglobal · source ↗