Gordon's Gin
Encyclopedia
Gordon's is a brand of London Dry gin
produced in the United Kingdom and under licence in New Zealand
, Canada and several other former British territories. The top markets for Gordon's are the UK, US, Greece and Africa. It is owned by the multi-national alcohol company Diageo
Plc.
It was developed in London in 1769 by a Scot
, Alexander Gordon, who had opened a distillery in the Southwark area, later moving in 1786 to Clerkenwell
. The Special London Dry Gin he developed proved successful, and its recipe remains unchanged to this day. Triple-distilled, the gin contains juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root and one other botanical.
The recipe
for Gordon's is known to only twelve people in the world and has been kept a secret for 250 years.
In the UK, Gordon's is sold in a distinctive green glass bottle; in all other markets it is sold in the original clear bottle design. Some select airport duty free shops sell it in plastic bottles in the 75cl size.
Gordon's is sold in several different strengths depending on the market. Until as recently as 1992 the ABV in the UK was 40%, but it was then reduced from 40% to 37.5%, purportedly to bring Gordon's gin into line with other white spirits such as white rum and vodka, but in reality to save money (note that the other leading brands of gin in the UK, Beefeater gin
and Bombay Sapphire
, are both 40% ABV in the UK). In the US, the strength is still 40% ABV. In continental Europe and in some duty free stores a 47.3% ABV version is sold. In New Zealand and Australia, as of 2011, it is sold at 37.2% alcohol by volume.
In addition to the main product line, Gordon's also produce a sloe gin
, an aromatic gin known as Distiller's Cut, a vodka
, two alcopop
variants, Space and Spark, and a canned, pre-mixed gin and tonic.
Additionally discontinued products include:
Gordon's Gin is specified by name in the recipe for the Vesper Cocktail
given by James Bond
in Ian Fleming
's 1953 book Casino Royale
.
Gin
Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories...
produced in the United Kingdom and under licence in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Canada and several other former British territories. The top markets for Gordon's are the UK, US, Greece and Africa. It is owned by the multi-national alcohol company Diageo
Diageo
Diageo plc is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest producer of spirits and a major producer of beer and wine....
Plc.
It was developed in London in 1769 by a Scot
Scot
A Scot is a member of an ethnic group indigenous to Scotland, derived from the Latin name of Irish raiders, the Scoti.Scot may also refer to:People with the given name Scot:* Scot Brantley , American football linebacker...
, Alexander Gordon, who had opened a distillery in the Southwark area, later moving in 1786 to Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is an area of central London in the London Borough of Islington. From 1900 to 1965 it was part of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The well after which it was named was rediscovered in 1924. The watchmaking and watch repairing trades were once of great importance...
. The Special London Dry Gin he developed proved successful, and its recipe remains unchanged to this day. Triple-distilled, the gin contains juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root and one other botanical.
The recipe
Recipe
A recipe is a set of instructions that describe how to prepare or make something, especially a culinary dish.-Components:Modern culinary recipes normally consist of several components*The name of the dish...
for Gordon's is known to only twelve people in the world and has been kept a secret for 250 years.
In the UK, Gordon's is sold in a distinctive green glass bottle; in all other markets it is sold in the original clear bottle design. Some select airport duty free shops sell it in plastic bottles in the 75cl size.
Gordon's is sold in several different strengths depending on the market. Until as recently as 1992 the ABV in the UK was 40%, but it was then reduced from 40% to 37.5%, purportedly to bring Gordon's gin into line with other white spirits such as white rum and vodka, but in reality to save money (note that the other leading brands of gin in the UK, Beefeater gin
Beefeater Gin
Beefeater Gin is a brand of gin bottled, and distributed in the United Kingdom, by the company of James Burrough. It is a 47% alcohol product in the US and New Zealand, and a 40% alcohol product elsewhere in the world . 40% alcohol is 80 proof in the US...
and Bombay Sapphire
Bombay Sapphire
Bombay Sapphire is a brand of gin distributed by Bacardi that was launched in 1987. Its name originates from the gin's popularity in India in of the days of the British Raj and the sapphire in question is the Star of Bombay on display at the Smithsonian Institution...
, are both 40% ABV in the UK). In the US, the strength is still 40% ABV. In continental Europe and in some duty free stores a 47.3% ABV version is sold. In New Zealand and Australia, as of 2011, it is sold at 37.2% alcohol by volume.
In addition to the main product line, Gordon's also produce a sloe gin
Sloe gin
Sloe gin is a red liqueur flavoured with sloe berries, which are a small fruit relative of the plum. Sloe gin has an alcohol content between 15 and 30 percent by volume. The traditional way of making sloe gin is to infuse gin with the berries. Sugar is required to ensure the sloe juices are...
, an aromatic gin known as Distiller's Cut, a vodka
Vodka
Vodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
, two alcopop
Alcopop
Alcopop is a colloquial term describing certain flavored alcoholic beverages, including:#malt beverages to which various fruit juices or other flavorings have been added...
variants, Space and Spark, and a canned, pre-mixed gin and tonic.
Additionally discontinued products include:
- Gordon's special Old Tom Gin
- Shaker Cocktails (pre-mixed) Piccadilly, Perfect, Fifty-Fifty, Dry Martini, Martini, Bronx & Manhattan
- Finest Old Jamaica Rum
- Orange Bitters (made from Seville Oranges)
- Orange Gin
- Lemon Gin
Gordon's Gin is specified by name in the recipe for the Vesper Cocktail
Vesper (cocktail)
The Vesper or Vesper Martini is a cocktail that was originally made of gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet.-Origin:The drink was invented and named by fictional secret agent James Bond in the 1953 novel Casino Royale....
given by James Bond
James Bond (character)
Royal Navy Commander James Bond, CMG, RNVR is a fictional character created by journalist and novelist Ian Fleming in 1953. He is the main protagonist of the James Bond series of novels, films, comics and video games...
in Ian Fleming
Ian Fleming
Ian Lancaster Fleming was a British author, journalist and Naval Intelligence Officer.Fleming is best known for creating the fictional British spy James Bond and for a series of twelve novels and nine short stories about the character, one of the biggest-selling series of fictional books of...
's 1953 book Casino Royale
Casino Royale (novel)
Casino Royale is Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel. It paved the way for a further eleven novels by Fleming himself, in addition to two short story collections, followed by many "continuation" Bond novels by other authors....
.