Gin: From its roots in the 17th century to modern craft distillates - discover the combination of juniper and botanicals.
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If you want to buy gin, you will certainly also be interested in the history behind the distillate. The history of gin is a fascinating journey through the centuries, full of stories of discovery, innovation and tradition. From its humble beginnings as a remedy to its current role as an iconic part of cocktail culture, gin has undergone a rich and complex evolution.
Juniper has been used since the 13th century for the treatment of metabolic diseases. In times of the plague, the herb was used to fumigate rooms. After the plague, alcohol was produced mainly for pleasure purposes. Since grain was more readily available than wine and could be distilled from the 16th century onward, a Europe-wide culture of brandy production developed. The subsequent addition of juniper to grain spirits laid the foundation for Dutch genever. The Spanish-Dutch War also brought gin to the English, who were fighting on the Dutch front. They copied it and developed it further.
But already in ancient times, scented water and medicinal potions were distilled and this knowledge has been developed in different ways over the centuries in different cultural areas. It is not for nothing that you can buy these many varieties of gin today. However, it was not until the early Middle Ages that important advances were made that allowed alcohol to be produced in the way we know it. This breakthrough occurred in the Persian-Oriental region. The first medical experiments combining alcohol with juniper can be traced back to the year 1000 AD. In the early modern period, thanks not least to the physician Francis de la Boë, also known as the "forefather of gin," alcoholic potions very similar to gin appeared on the market. Francis de la Boë developed these potions under the name Genever as a remedy for stomach ailments. Today, however, when you buy gin, you do so for the sake of enjoyment. This was also the case with his patients, who liked the liquor so much that they preferred to think of it as a stimulant rather than a remedy. This led to the fact that the Genever was officially offered in the Netherlands as Wacholderschnaps. As already mentioned, the English came into contact with jenever during the Spanish-Dutch War. However, it was not until 1689, when William of Orange-Nassau ascended the English throne, that juniper brandy gained great popularity in England, where it soon became known as gin and people could buy it as gin. Since then, it was impossible to imagine society without gin. You too can go on a discovery tour with our range of English gins.
Gin is a drink with an eventful history. Due to its high alcohol content and comparatively low price compared to wine and beer, gin became extremely popular in England in the 18th century, especially among the poorer sections of the population. This veritable “gin craze ” (also known as gin craze ) led to more and more people wanting to buy gin. Numerous distilleries sprang up all over London and the surrounding area to ensure high consumption. However, the quality of the gin was often inferior; sometimes the drink was even diluted with turpentine, which caused massive alcoholism and an increase in violence. It was not until 1751 that the English government reacted with the so-called “Gin Act”. This law only allowed licensed traders to sell gin, which meant that many distilleries had to close and the quality of gin increased considerably.
Prohibition in the USA (1920-1933) also played an important role in the history of gin. The aim of Prohibition was to ban alcohol and thus curb consumption. However, instead of reducing consumption, it led to a boom in illegal distilleries and the creation of its own form of gin, known as “bathtub gin”. This gin, made in bathtubs, was often impure and dangerous to consume. Nevertheless, gin enjoyed great popularity during Prohibition, as it was relatively easy to make and quickly spread in speakeasies and secret bars. Prohibition finally ended in 1933, but the fame of gin was unstoppable. The historical events surrounding Prohibition strengthened the popularity of gin in the long term and led to the spirit being celebrated in numerous variations to this day.
It is still unclear how gin came to Germany. It was probably brought to the country by soldiers from America and England after the Second World War. Today, gin is also produced and celebrated in many different variations in Germany. Would you like to buy a german gin? In our online store you will find a large selection of premium gins and other spirits that you can easily order online!
Basic ingredients: Before you can buy gin at all, it must be made, of course. At the beginning of gin production is the distillation of neutral alcohol. Neutral alcohol is made from various carbohydrate-based basic ingredients such as grain or molasses. The initially neutral alcohol gets its typical flavor from the addition of juniper berries and other botanicals such as coriander seeds, lemon or orange peel. According to the EU spirits regulation, the neutral alcohol should come from agriculture. For the production of gin, for example, vodka or grain are used. Apart from grain and molasses, the alcohol can also be obtained from potatoes, grapes and from other types of fruit. Find out more about what gin is made of before you buy it next time.
After further distillation, the gin-typically clear spirit that we are used to buying from gin is produced. In order to remove by-products such as fusel oils, methanol and vinegar pomace, the first and last run are separated after the distillation process. The middle run, or the end product, is reduced to a drinking strength of 37.5% by volume by adding water. People who buy gin with a higher alcohol content often associate it with a rounder taste. The water and alcohol are separated from each other. When heated, the alcohol vapors rise in the still, where they are directed into a cooled spiral. The vapor then condenses and becomes liquid. The result is a very high-proof gin (approx. 96%). Before you can buy the gin, it has to be diluted with water, otherwise it would not be drinkable. Different methods can be used to heat the still. There is the classic method using fire, but this is rarely used anymore as the risk of the gin burning is too great. However, you certainly don't want to buy burnt gin. Instead, gas or electric heating is most commonly used. The main advantage of this is that the desired temperature is reached quickly and can be easily controlled.
Actually, gin does not need to be stored. Theoretically, it could be bottled and sold immediately. Nevertheless, most distillers allow their gins a rest period of one to four weeks. This makes the taste rounder and more intense. It is important for the storage of most varieties that the containers themselves do not have their own aroma, so that the taste is not distorted. When buying gin, you would otherwise quickly notice the difference. Most often, gin is stored in glass balloons or in steel tanks. However, there are also varieties where storage in wooden barrels, which give off their own aroma, is deliberately chosen. Since in most wooden barrels previously something else was stored, which also gave its aroma to the wood, each variety, sometimes even each bottle, gets a very special and distinctive note. Browse through our newly arrived gins and be inspired by the different varieties and flavors when buying gin.
The final step is to bottle the finished gin, which must then be labeled before you can buy it in stores. As mentioned, the gin is diluted with water beforehand. However, not every water is suitable for this purpose and a lot can be done wrong in the selection. It is important that the water does not contain too much lime or other minerals, because that would have a negative effect on the taste. After all, you want to buy a gin that also has a special taste. Even before the gin is diluted, the distiller must determine with what alcohol content he wants to sell his gin and for this he must know the composition between water and his distillate very well. This is because experienced drinkers who regularly buy and taste gin can taste exactly whether the stated alcohol content is true. This can be seen above all in the aromas, because these differ depending on the alcohol content. In addition, the drinking strength can be recognized by the price, because the alcohol tax is not based on the sales price, but on the alcohol content of the gin. The more alcohol a gin contains, the higher the alcohol tax and ultimately the price for which you end up buying the gin. However, the alcohol content may not be less than 37% vol. This is regulated by the EU spirits regulation. Upwards, however, there is no legal limit and there are varieties where the alcohol content is 57% vol. in total. These varieties are called "Overproof Gin". Who after this interesting story about the past and the production of gin now wants to buy a gin itself, is guaranteed to find in our Gin Shop. We offer on a total of 19 pages many different varieties and accessories at different prices. So for every palate and every budget is definitely the right bottle and the right gin accessories.
With us you can buy not only tasty gin, but also gin gift sets, gin glasses and bar mats. Our offer also includes good wines, liqueurs and vodka. The entire range is for connoisseurs for after work or for the next celebration. Our friendly customer service is happy to advise interested parties - just contact us! No matter whether the customer wants to buy a particular gin for the first time, is looking for the right accessories or is looking for the perfect gift for special occasions. Also feel free to take a look at our whisky store. Here you are sure to find a suitable gift for every whiskey lover. We are with a lot of experience and great passion, so that every connoisseur finds the right distillate for himself. Rum, vodka, tequila or gin - you can buy all this and much more with us!
When buying gin, you can observe that different gin varieties have the flavors added in different stages of production. Basically, a distinction is made between flavoring during and after distillation. Different methods such as cold extraction, hot extraction or multiple aromatization can be used. There are different ways in which a gin can be produced and also numerous ways to add the desired aroma to the neutral alcohol. Nevertheless, there are four phases into which the production steps can be roughly divided, although these steps and any intermediate steps may vary depending on the distiller. The first step towards buying gin begins with maceration. Here, the spices are added to the neutral alcohol. This is followed by distillation. For this, the spiced alcohol is put into a kettle. Then the alcohol boils and emits vapors before it cools down again. Next, the gin must be stored, this takes between one and four weeks, depending on the manufacturer and variety. After storage, the gin is diluted with water to drinking strength and delivered by the manufacturer to the various stores so that the customer can buy his gin. This can be done either through a local gin store or online. Besides gin, by the way, you can also buy rum from us. Our assortment is large!
In cold extraction, various ground or squeezed botanicals are added to the neutral alcohol. Since the ingredients have been ground or pressed, they can develop their full flavor variety. You will notice this when you buy and taste such a gin. After a few weeks, the distillate is filtered, slightly diluted and bottled. With multiple maceration, the gin gains depth and acquires more flavor nuances. However, this may then no longer be marketed as "London Dry Gin". When you buy this gin, this represents a single maceration. By macerating the spices in the alcohol, the color and aroma compounds are removed from the botanicals and passed on to the alcohol. In the process, the botanicals do not sink, but float on the surface of the alcohol. The difference to brandy is that the individual ingredients of gin do not contain enough sugar and therefore no alcohol can be extracted from them. Therefore, the ingredients must be steeped in neutral alcohol. However, there are also some producers where the gin does not gain flavor during maceration, but during distillation. In these cases, the distilleries put their botanicals in an aroma basket so that the vapors pass by the botanicals in the basket, absorbing its aromas. When buying gin, you have the choice - according to your personal taste!
When buying gin, there is another method of production - the hot extract. In this process, various botanicals are crushed and inserted or "bathed" in the 70-degree alcohol. This allows the spices and herbs to gently release their ingredients into the alcohol. In contrast to the maceration process, this method pulls the color and aroma substances out of the cell walls of the spices more quickly and releases them better into the alcohol. However, this process is more complicated and requires a lot of care, because the distiller must be careful not to heat the alcohol too quickly or too slowly. Otherwise, there is a risk that the botanicals will release bitter substances into the alcohol - and very few people want to buy a gin that tastes bitter.
You can also buy a gin made with the method of multiple aromatization, also called steam infusion, among others. In this process, botanicals are placed in large sieves above the still. The gaseous alcohol is passed through these sieves with steam. In this way, the diverse flavor aromas are released and gently passed on to the spirit. The great advantage of this method is that the alcohol vapor only absorbs flavors and not bitter substances, which are less popular when buying gin. Because the flavors are not as pronounced as in maceration, this method usually uses those botancials that would be too filtered in the maceration process. On the other hand, percolation requires the use of many more herbs, spices and fruits in order to extract enough flavor for a good gin. This process entails much higher production costs, but has the selling advantage that gin made this way can be sold as "distilled gin." Buying distilled gin therefore costs the end consumer more money, but many gin connoisseurs particularly enjoy drinking these varieties.
Buying gin means immersing yourself in a world of diverse aromas and carefully selected botanicals. What would a gin be without juniper and the typical botanicals? Juniper forms the basis of every gin, but it is the additional botanicals - including berries, fruits, herbs, spices, barks, seeds and roots - that give it its unique variety of flavors. You won't find a gin without these essential ingredients, and the exact blends are often distilleries' trade secrets.
The flavors of gins can be roughly divided into five categories:
To ensure that people buy the gins, great importance is attached to combining many different yet matching botanicals in many gins. Take a look through our gin top sellers to get an impression of the different types of gin.
In addition to the various botanicals, well-known gin brands provide a special taste experience with their individual recipes. Here are some top brands that have made a decisive impact on the gin landscape:
When buying gin, you will encounter different types of gin, all of which have their own appeal.
The best-known variety, London Dry Gin (also London Gin), is strictly regulated and, contrary to its name, does not have to be produced in London but must meet other requirements: It must have a minimum alcohol content of 37.5% by volume, have a vegetable alcohol base and contain only natural ingredients, which are added at the same time. The result is a dry, pure gin that emphasizes juniper - ideal for cocktails such as gin and tonic.
Dry gin or distilled gin offers more freedom in comparison. It may also only contain natural and nature-identical flavors, but the ingredients do not have to be added at the same time. This flexibility leads to a variety of flavor profiles, which is particularly appreciated by connoisseurs who like to experiment when buying gin.
Sloe gin, on the other hand, is not actually a gin according to EU regulations, but a liqueur, as it contains less than 37.5% vol. and is produced by infusing sloe berries in distilled gin. Its fruity-sweet character makes it a wonderful choice for mixed drinks or pure enjoyment.
New Western Dry Gin
New Western Dry Gin is a modern interpretation of gin in which juniper takes a back seat and other botanicals, such as floral or fruity notes, dominate. This style allows distilleries to be creative and develop unique flavor profiles.
Aged gin
Also known as reserve gin, aged gin is matured in wooden barrels, which gives it additional complexity and a golden color. Barrel ageing brings out notes of vanilla, caramel and spice, similar to whisky.
Compound gin
In the method of compound gin, the botanicals are macerated in neutral alcohol without re-distillation. This is a simple and inexpensive production method, but often results in less complex flavor profiles.
Plymouth Gin
A geographically protected type of gin produced exclusively in Plymouth, England. Plymouth Gin is known for its softer and earthier taste compared to London Dry Gin.
These gins are enriched with additional flavors such as berries, citrus fruits or spices. They offer a wide range of flavors and are ideal for creative cocktails.
When buying gin, it is worth exploring these different styles to find the gin that best suits your personal taste.
Non-alcoholic gin is an ideal option for anyone who wants to enjoy the taste of gin but without the alcohol. This growing category offers an answer to the increasing demand for alcohol-free spirits, both for health-conscious consumers and for those who do not drink alcohol for personal or religious reasons. Non-alcoholic gin is produced in a similar way to classic gin: It undergoes careful distillation with selected botanicals to produce the same aromatic and spicy notes. This allows connoisseurs to experience familiar aromas such as juniper, citrus fruits and herbs.
Here you will find a selection of the most popular gin cocktails and a brief explanation of how they will make your gin evening something special.
The classic par excellence: a simple mix of gin and tonic water. With a slice of lime, cucumber or other garnish, the gin and tonic becomes a refreshing all-rounder.
Strong, bittersweet and unmistakable in taste. The Negroni is mixed with gin, red vermouth and Campari and is perfect as an aperitif. A drink that will delight any gin fan.
A sparkling cocktail with gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda. The Gin Fizz is the ideal drink for warm days and surprises with its fresh, light note. Perfect for fans of sparkling cocktails.
Elegant and classic: the Martini made with gin and dry vermouth is a timeless cocktail that is a must for connoisseurs. Whether shaken or stirred, refined with an olive or lemon - it's all down to personal taste.
A modern classic for those who like it aromatic. Conjure up an exciting drink with fresh basil, lemon juice and gin.
The Tom Collins is a light, sweet and sour cocktail with gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda. This drink is ideal for gin novices and is easy to prepare - a great start to the world of gin cocktails.
A sparkling highlight that combines gin with champagne. The French 75 is mixed with gin, lemon juice and champagne and brings elegance to every glass. Perfect for special occasions.
Whether you are looking for new recipes or want to refine your classics: at delicando you can buy the right gin and try out these popular cocktails at home!
Gin is not just a spirit, but a versatile experience. Its rich history and variety of flavors make it an indispensable part of cocktail culture. From classic gin cocktails such as the gin and tonic to creative mixed drinks, gin offers endless possibilities for moments of pleasure. Gin is also increasingly being used as an ingredient in fine cuisine to add an aromatic note to dishes. In our online store, you will find a large selection of different gins as well as whiskies, rum and many other spirits.
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