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Firstly, what are these botanicals?       Angelica Root There are 60 distinct species of Angelica.  The one most commonly used in gin-making is the commonly encountered garden angelica, wild celery, Holy Ghost and Norwegian angelica.  Angelica root comes from the biennial plant, however, it is important to note that it is very similar in appearance to some poisonous species and therefore if you are out foraging, make sure that you know what you are picking! Why is angelica root added to gin?  It adds an earthy base note and sweetness to the gin, however it is also used as a fixative...

Have you ever found an old bottle of gin, vodka or whisky in the bottom of your cupboard and wondered whether you should bin it or drink it?  Well, if stored correctly, your bottle will be safe to drink for many years.  An unopened bottle of gin will remain unchanged. The only changes that might occur with an opened bottle of gin is that it will in time slowly evaporate and some of the flavour may disappear.  So how should you store your gin? The best way is in a cool, dry, dark environment and keep the bottle well sealed. Storing gin...

In 1736 the Gin Act was introduced in an attempt to close down small producers and sellers of gin.  The tax on gin was increased to a rate of 20 shillings per gallon and the smallest amount that retailers could sell was 2 gallons. An annual licence fee of £50 was introduced for all gin sellers and the authorities relied on informers to uncover the non-compliant street vendors, offering monetary rewards. Captain Dudley Bradstreet, an Irish soldier, spy for the English and an all-round chancer, had several careers in his life from playwright to brewer. In his autobiography, The Life and...

Ever wondered where the most expensive places in the world are to buy a Gin and Tonic, we have the top 15 (according to The Drinks Business) 15.  Singapore, price of a G&T £8.46 14. Moscow, Russia, price of a G&T £8.80 13. London, UK, price of a G&T £8.82 12. San Francisco, USA, price of a G&T £8.97 11. Las Vegas, USA, price of a G&T £10.25 10. New York, USA, price of a G&T £10.50 9. Dubai, UAE, price of a G&T £10.58 =8. Amsterdam, Netherlands, price of a G&T £10.59 =8. Barcelona, Spain, price of a G&T £10.59...