Today I joined two others in a Gin tasting to see how the gins I have from overseas compare to what we can get locally here in South Africa. I have looked online for retail prices and then exchanged them in to Rand at today's exchange rate. I thought it would be good to see how they differ in regards to price.
South Gin (NZ) NZ$45.90 = R375
- Had a candy character on initial taste and heaps of liquorice on the finish. Lingered for a long time!
Hendriks (Scotland) NZ$59.95 = R500
- What really showed on this in comparison to the others is the texture. It was much thicker in consistency than the others. More floral on the nose. Candy, cucumber and botanicals on taste.
South Gin (NZ) NZ$45.90 = R375
- Had a candy character on initial taste and heaps of liquorice on the finish. Lingered for a long time!
Hendriks (Scotland) NZ$59.95 = R500
- What really showed on this in comparison to the others is the texture. It was much thicker in consistency than the others. More floral on the nose. Candy, cucumber and botanicals on taste.
Uncle Vals (USA) US$45 = R560
- Cucumber on the nose. Citrus/marmalade on taste.
Woodstock (local) R180
- Prominent butterscotch on the nose. Good viscosity but not as much as Hendriks.
The Botanist (Scotland) NZ$75 = R630
- not offensive on the nose or palate. Definitely the best sipping gin.
Tanqueray No. 10 (USA) NZ$73 = R630
- pleasant nose, good viscosity, candy and citrus flavours.
Inveroche classic (local) R350
- Citrus on the nose, nice viscosity, spearmint, alcohol wasn't offensive.
Bombay (England) NZ$48 = R400
- like a slap in the face after the other gins. Not offensive on the nose however.
Inveroche Amber (local) R350
- Cola on the nose.
This was a fun exercise! It was nice to be tasting something other than wine and to sit down and really understand the characteristics of gin. It seems the Uncle Vals which we only had a shot left of, was the favourite. Sadly I can't get more of that unless I go back to the US or someone brings me a bottle. The Woodstock was a stand out gin. The Botanist showed as the best sipping wine, the South Gin was a favourite in flavour, and the Hendriks won on viscosity. The Inveroche showed well against all these gins and made us proud to have a high quality local gin on the market. The Bombay was very much out of place!
I would love to get some more gins and do this again in a year's time. I wonder what wonderful gins we can find by then. It might be quicker, easier and cheaper to hit Mother's Ruin in Cape Town!?
- Cucumber on the nose. Citrus/marmalade on taste.
Woodstock (local) R180
- Prominent butterscotch on the nose. Good viscosity but not as much as Hendriks.
The Botanist (Scotland) NZ$75 = R630
- not offensive on the nose or palate. Definitely the best sipping gin.
Tanqueray No. 10 (USA) NZ$73 = R630
- pleasant nose, good viscosity, candy and citrus flavours.
Inveroche classic (local) R350
- Citrus on the nose, nice viscosity, spearmint, alcohol wasn't offensive.
Bombay (England) NZ$48 = R400
- like a slap in the face after the other gins. Not offensive on the nose however.
Inveroche Amber (local) R350
- Cola on the nose.
This was a fun exercise! It was nice to be tasting something other than wine and to sit down and really understand the characteristics of gin. It seems the Uncle Vals which we only had a shot left of, was the favourite. Sadly I can't get more of that unless I go back to the US or someone brings me a bottle. The Woodstock was a stand out gin. The Botanist showed as the best sipping wine, the South Gin was a favourite in flavour, and the Hendriks won on viscosity. The Inveroche showed well against all these gins and made us proud to have a high quality local gin on the market. The Bombay was very much out of place!
I would love to get some more gins and do this again in a year's time. I wonder what wonderful gins we can find by then. It might be quicker, easier and cheaper to hit Mother's Ruin in Cape Town!?
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