Gins - Four Types in Four Brands

Bokma

Oude Friesche Genever (old-fashioned, un-aged genever)

- Genever, the original gin, is produced in the Netherlands. The version of genever most interesting is known as 'oude' (meaning 'old-fashioned'). The other version of genever is known as 'jonge' (meaning 'new-fashioned'). Jonge genever is the Netherlands' answer to the success of London-style dry gin, which it is similar to. Oude genever is available both 'friesche' (meaning 'fresh' or un-aged) and barrel-aged.

- Traditional mixed drinks calling for oude genever include the John Collins and the Turf Cocktail. Both of these drinks come from the time before the 'jonge' variant even existed.

Hayman's

Old Tom Gin

- Old tom gin, named after the famous wooden old tom cat associated with this type of gin, is the oldest English-style gin. It is lightly sweetened.

- Traditional mixed drinks calling for tom gin include the Tom Collins and the Martini Cocktail.

Bombay

Sapphire London Dry Gin

- London dry gin evolved from old tom gin, supposedly as a result the increasing availability of clean water and improving distilling techniques. London-style dry gin is produced in many countries outside of England.

- Traditional mixed drinks calling for London-style dry gin include the London Collins and the Good Times Cocktail.

Plymouth (formerly Coates & Co.)

Plymouth Dry Gin

- Plymouth dry gin is can only be legally-produced at one distillery in the city of Plymouth, and so any additional brand-name has become unnecessary. The 'dry' specifier was used a century ago, but has been dropped. This gin was produced by Coates & Co. until 2004.

- Traditional mixed drinks calling for Plymouth dry gin include the Plymouth Collins and the Marguerite Cocktail.