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Gin is simple and easy, much like vodka. It's a neutral spirit flavored with botanicals.
While some liquors can command a premium due to complex production processes and/or aging that enhances the drink - whiskies, brandies, rums, tequilas, to name a few - this is not the case for gin. With gin, you simply aren't getting much if anything for paying extra.
A decent $25 gin will more than suffice - Bombay (regular, not Bombay Sapphire given that you mentioned gin & tonics), Tanqueray or Boodles will all do nicely and are all fairly easy to find.
My favorite ... and I am a great fan of gin, you might say a connoisseur ... is Tanqueray Rangpur. It is a bright, lively citrusy vibe going on (rangpur is a type of lime) which makes a perfect Gin & Tonic. Tanqueray also makes a gin called "Number Ten" which is their top of the line premium gin; very good but I still prefer Rangpur.
A really fine American gin is Bluecoat - possibly the best of all gins in America and the winner of gold medals. Bluecoat has it's own botanical recipe and there is also a citrusy hint (not as much as Rangpur though) and the juniper berries are a little more pronounced. Bluecoat is made in Philadelphia, by the way.
Location: St Thomas, USVI - Seattle, WA - Gulf Coast, TX
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Hendrick's Gin is a little more unique/specialty, but still widely available. It has more notable aromatics (herbs, seeds, roots, juniper) and rosewater. It's made in small batches. Just something different/special.
If your recipient is a martini lover, try pairing a good gin with the proper vermouth to put together a gift. He'll be impressed that you did your homework. Hendrick's, Tanqueray, Beefeater, and Fords will marry best with Noilly Prat dry vermouth. Bombay goes best with Martini & Rossi extra dry vermouth. All of those gins are great picks.
Looking for advice on what Gin to get my Uncle for his 80th birthday. He's a vibrant and wealthy world traveler, and an easy going guy. Gin & tonic with a slice of lime is his drink.
I honestly don't know much about liquor, but thought he might like a unique gin. Last time he was visiting he picked up Bombay Sapphire, so I assume he likes it, but maybe that was the only decent one at our local store.
Any of you Gin lovers have any advice?
Bombay Sapphire is very good. I drink a lot of gin and Sapphire is my first choice. However, when you mix gin with tonic water, it's very difficult to distinguish which gin is in the drink.
Hendricks is very floral. The wife likes it and it holds up well with a good tonic water, not the cheap fake stuff like Canada Dry. Back in Martini days I used to like Boodle's or Plymouth, but they are seldom seen these days. Boodle's had little or no citrus notes.
I just tried a new gin, Knickerrbocker Gin. This gin is barrel aged and has more character than most other gins, going well with some tonic and a lime slice.
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Hendrick's, Tanqueray, Beefeater, and Fords will marry best with Noilly Prat dry vermouth. Bombay goes best with Martini & Rossi extra dry vermouth. All of those gins are great picks.
