The distillery where Broker’s Gin is made is located near Birmingham, England and is over 200-years-old.  There had previously been a brewery on the site, but this was converted to a distillery at a time when gin making became more profitable than producing beer. The distillery uses only traditional pot stills.  Continuous distillation using column stills is more efficient and is used by the major brands, but pot stills are better for extracting maximum flavor from the botanicals in a traditional hand-crafted fashion.  Plus, There is an underground spring beneath the distillery that provides a source of soft, pure water.  The 200-year-old recipe for Broker’s Gin was chosen after taste-testing against several newer recipes.  The base spirit for Broker’s Gin is a triple-distilled pure grain spirit made from English wheat.  The flavor is provided by ten natural botanicals, the primary one of which is juniper berries, as in all gins.  Dried botanicals are sourced from all over the world and shipped to the distillery in sacks.  In the first step of the flavor infusion process, the botanicals are steeped (soaked) in the base spirit in the still for 24 hours.  The still is then fired up for the final, fourth distillation, which completes the process.

    Broker’s solo taste is exactly what you would expect a plain gin to taste like.  It’s a sour, burning citrus flavor with nothing exciting or really disappointing coming from it.  It doesn’t taste good, but its not too bad either.  I can’t really say too much about a gin that is so plain and unimpressive.  Even mixed in a martini or with tonic, it’s shine was a very lackluster one.  Broker’s really suffers from the fat girl in a cute dress syndrome.  The fat girl wearing a cute dress isn’t attractive; she is just a fat girl in a cute dress.  Broker’s gin mixed with any good mixer doesn’t taste any more delicious; it just tastes like a basic gin combined with mixers that could probably used for something better.

    Now you are probably wondering, why even spend a cent on this gin?  The answer lies in the drunk it gives you.  The 94-proof of this gin goes straight to work getting you where you want to be after a long day of work.  A funny thing happens when Broker’s start taking hold of you.  That bottle that I was so keen on before with its cute little hat really started to piss me off.  “How dare this bottle wear a hat,” I began to grumble.  The bottle started giving off that “I’m better than you because I have a hat” look.  When you are drunk, especially the way Broker’s makes you drunk, nothing will piss you off more than someone who acts like they are better than you.  I’ll be damned if I let a bottle treat me like that!  Well, I guess drunken rage got the better of me, and the bottle didn’t survive the night.  It caught the Office Space beat-down.

    As what happens with any liquor that can cause a drunken fury as fast as this one, it left me with a harsh hangover.  I felt like I caught the beat-down the night before.  I had an upset stomach, headache, cotton mouth, and breath that could give the blind sight, then take it away.  It wasn’t as bad as it could have been, but it wasn’t any walk in the park, either.  It took a good 12 hours before I even cared to look at booze again.

    You should be able to find a 750ml bottle of Broker’s gin for around $20.  That’s not much for the for the drunk you’ll get, but there are other gins that do it better for less.  With that said, all those other gins will leave you with a hangover twice as bad.  If you are a gin drinker, this is one you will probably want to pass on.  It doesn’t bring anything new to the table.  It tastes like they did just enough to this booze to call it gin and decided that was good enough.  Maybe that’s why they gave the bottle a hat, to distract you from the basic 5 shots gin inside.  Personally, I’ll stick to Tanqueray Rangpur, which is still the best gin I have ever tasted for the money.  So give Broker’s a try if you just want a gin to get you wasted, but don’t expect much more than that.

Sipability – 5.0

Mixability – 5.5

Drunkability – 8.0

Hangover-ability – 6.0

Bang for the Buck – 7.0

Overall – 6.0 

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     In case you can’t tell they are proud by the label, the James Burrough Company boasts that they are the only premium London dry gin that is still made in London.  In the United Kingdom, the Beefeaters are known as the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London and also the safeguarders of the British crown jewels.  Perhaps the “Beefeater” figure on the bottle symbolizes the company’s desire to embrace their gin-producing heritage, but what the hell do I know?  I’m no English major.  I just want to embrace liquor.

     Beefeater Gin smells very much like traditional gin.  The insides of the bottle smell like a fresh pine forest in the winter time.  Sipping it on the rocks tastes like consuming a pine forest that has been set aflame.  It’s a mild burn, and the juniper flavor is almost so overpowering as to cover it or at least diminish it a bit.  It’s not a disgusting taste by any means, but I wouldn’t really go for this stuff on the rocks unless I had to choose between that or sobriety.  When combined with tonic water, some of the subtleties of the gin become more apparent.  The juniper is still the most overpowering of the botanicals, especially up front, but the citrus botanicals really spring out during the finish.  This finish is a very dry one that doesn’t linger too long.  If you were to look up gin in a dictionary, Beefeater should be pictured.  It’s taste is what I would call textbook gin.  It’s focused and good for what it is, but at the same time, nothing special has been added to make me crave it.

     Maybe the Beefeater on the front of the bottle isn’t an homage to the English heritage at all,  the Beefeater could actually be guarding the dark secret within the bottle.  What could this dark secret be?  Well, Beefeater simply did not get me drunk.  I was shocked!  This gin is 94-proof in the United States (80-proof everywhere else), but it didn’t give me anything more than a buzz.  I had a total of maybe seven drinks but still felt as though I had only consumed a couple ounces.  The buzz itself was light and nice, but I really wanted a drunk that night.  Don’t turn to this stuff if you are looking to get hammered.  Oddly enough, the next morning, I still had a noticeable headache and a little grogginess.  That’s two thumbs down in my book.

     A bright spot for this gin is the price.  You can get a 750ml bottle for around $17.  That makes it a real candidate for a permanent place on the shelf in your home bar.  If it did more to produce drunken bliss, I think it would be a good liquor to stock for someone who really enjoys the taste of traditional dry gin.  Perhaps I was drinking this stuff on an “off” night.  Perhaps this stuff will give you an awesome buzz.  Perhaps the Beefeater is guarding a sober little secret.  Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps you should give it a try and let us know what you think.

Sipability – 6.0

Mixability – 6.5

Drunkability – 4.0

Hangover-ability – 7.5

Bang for the Buck – 9.0

Overall - 6.0 

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     Seagram’s is made mainly from juniper berries, alongside many other herbs and spices to create its flavor.  Each batch of Distiller’s Reserve is crafted by their master distiller.  After sampling hundreds of batches, he or she selects the handful of samples that are the richest in character and distinctive in aroma and botanical essence.  Then they carefully blend the barrel-proof batches together to create what is called the Seagram’s Distiller’s Reserve.

     There are no surprises with the taste of this gin.  Distiller’s Reserve tastes exactly like what you would expect a 102-proof gin to taste.  It has the same pine tree taste that most gins are known to have, but this one is a little different.  It tastes like a forest of pine trees engulfed in flames.  Oh yes, she burns!  Gin is an acquired taste.  And let’s just say Seagram’s Distiller’s Reserve barely meets the requirements to be considered part of that acquired taste.  I wouldn’t recommend trying to drink this as a stand-alone drink.  This is an endeavor that only a few select men will be willing to undertake.

     Distiller’s Reserve isn’t much better mixed.  It has such a strong taste that mixing it just tastes like a futile attempt to water it down.  And when something tastes more like it is diluted than tasting like an actual mixed drink, it just comes off bad.  However, on the same note, the power of this gin is so strong that it needs to be mixed with something for acceptable consumption.

     Seagram’s Distiller’s Reserve has something extra that most other liquors do not have.  It is the spectacular Seagram’s bottle.  This thing is incredible!  It’s made so that there is just no way you can drop this bottle.  You can be too drunk to walk but still keep a sturdy grip on this bottle.  The rippled contour design seems to be made to fit perfectly into any drunk’s hand.  And seeing how Distiller’s Reserve is 102-proof, you just might need the sure-grip.  Luckily, when you’re hammered, you can still pour more with this nifty bottle.  The bottle is also easy to throw in the morning when you wake up with a hangover that might make you want to quit drinking for the 100th time this year. 

     After a couple sips, you don’t really care how Distiller’s Reserve tastes.  You probably won’t care about the taste of anything at that point.  Paying $16 for a sure drunk in a handy bottle may sound like a good value, but I’ll leave up to you.  The taste is really harsh, and the hangover will be one that you will not soon forget.  The Seagram’s Distiller’s Reserve may not be a bottle that you will keep on your shelf at home, but it is worth a try.  So, try it and when you get wasted, come back to our site and leave some drunken thoughts in our forum’s Druken Ramblings section.

Sipability – 5.0

Mixability – 5.0

Drunkability – 8.5

Hangover-ability – 3.0

Bang for the Buck – 8.0

Overall – 5.5

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     Way back in 1941, the Nazis nearly ruined Tanqueray No. 10 before it even existed.   During their attempt to conquer England, they managed to bomb the Tanqueray distillery.  Only one still survived intact, No. 4, also known as “Old Tom.”  So what exactly does that little bit of history have to do with your life and your gin?  Well, while this gin starts its production life in still No. 10, it is finished with another round in the larger No. 4.  So with without Old Tom, we may have had to endure a world without this fine gin.  Damn Nazis.

     It takes more that just stills with catchy names to make No. 10 taste fantastic.  It is currently the only gin in the world to be distilled with hand-picked, fresh fruit botanicals.  They start with Florida oranges, then use Mexican limes and grapefruits for the first distillation.  Later, the traditional botanicals such as juniper and coriander are added to give it that piney taste.  The taste, oh the taste!  On the rocks, the piney flavor hits your tongue first, but it is not as overpowering as other more traditionally-flavored gins.  As you swallow, the juniper fades into the citrus and the grapefruit is very apparent in the lingering finish.  This is definitely not a dry gin as it is considerably sweeter than Tanqueray’s classic offering.  However, as good as No. 10 is when consumed on the rocks, I personally do not think it is as smooth as the Rangpur we have previously tasted.  I am sure this is in no small part due to the 94.6-proof stamped on the bottle.  When you mix No. 10 with tonic, the sweetness caries through, and the botanicals stubbornly refuse to be diluted.  The result is a cocktail that is just simply delicious.  This gin is targeted at martini drinkers, but no one on the BoozeBasher staff is nearly refined enough to actually enjoy drinking gin martinis often.  So we will leave it up to our readers to let us know how it does in that regard.

     After consuming a number of 10 and tonics I had a light buzz, but not nearly what I was expecting from a liquor with a 90+ proof.  The good news is that I felt great the next morning, not even having a hint of a hangover.  To get your hands on a bottle of this low-production gin it will cost you about $35.  It is definitely a good choice for gin drinkers who enjoy a little more than just a piney flavor in their gin drinks.  Traditional gin drinkers might turn their nose at No. 10 because of the added citrus botanicals, but I feel that Tanqueray has done a great job adding subtle flavors that really compliment the juniper. Also check out our review of Tanqueray Rangpur.

Sipability – 7.5

Mixability – 7.0

Drunkability – 7.0

Hangover-ability – 9.0

Bang for the Buck – 7.0

Overall - 7.5 

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     I discovered this gin at a wonderful bar in Atlanta for which I may or may not write a feature article.  I was raving about Tanqueray Rangpur, and the bartender suggested I try this stuff.  It really surprised me.  I could almost immediately taste the cucumber and rose petal flavor.  It was like no gin I had ever consumed.  The unique taste pleased my already intoxicated palate.  Hendrick’s Gin is pretty tasty when sober, but this stuff shines when you have already been drinking.  The extra bit of infused flavor is a delicious melody to a drunken man’s palate.  It’s the perfect gin to drink for my preferred time at the end of a long night of drinking or when you notice the room is spinning and need a special beverage to sip the room stationary once more.   

     Hendrick’s Gin is pretty smooth to sip straight, but behold its glory with a splash of tonic water!  The taste of Hendrick’s Gin is definitely one for the gin drinker.  You definitely catch a rush of piney flavor to go along with the wonderfly unique taste, so if you really don’t like the tradition gin taste, don’t bother trying this stuff.  If you are accustomed to the flavor of gin, Hendrick’s opens the door to a bright and cheery summer’s day of flavor. 

     Simply put, this gin will get you DRUNK.  I have never consumed another gin that even came close to the drunkability of Hendrick’s Gin.  After a single drink, I could definitely feel the onset of a buzz.  After the third drink, I was drunk.  The fourth, well, got me really tanked.  I have never had a gin get to me the way this stuff did.  I’m not sure if it was the rose petals, cucumber, or something else magical in this stuff that made me that way, but I am very grateful.  The buzz from this stuff was unusually sloppy for a gin and even heavy.  I felt like I had just been smacked around a bit after eating at a delicious buffet.  I’m not sure what others will think of the buzz Hendrick’s brings, but I found it to be fantastic.

     If there is a downer to this gin, it would have to be the hangover it produces the next day.  I was somewhat surprised at both the seriousness and the longevity of the groggy, hungover feeling.  I was greeted in the morning with a moderate headache that faded quickly, but I felt pretty drained most of the following day.  I also had a very unpleasant taste in my mouth even after brushing my teeth and eating a couple times.  I never expect this kind of hangover from drinking gin since I always mix it with tonic water.  I guess all the wonderfully flavorful infusions brought the ugly hangover fairy the next day.

     At around $30 for a 750ml bottle, the price may be a little steep for the casual gin drinker, but I recommend at least sampling it.  I would recommend Tanqueray Rangpur for the drinker that usually doesn’t enjoy the taste of gin.  Gin drinkers out there rejoice!  Buy a bottle of Hendrick’s Gin or ask for it at your local watering hole; you may be crawling out the door.  If you fancy yourself a gin drinker and enjoy a good, flavorful gin, Hendrick’s Gin is a must-buy.

Sipability – 6.0

Mixability – 7.0

Drunkability – 8.0

Hangover-ability – 6.0

Bang for the Buck – 5.5

Overall – 7.0 

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     I have no idea of this gin’s fine history or what kind of devil’s magic is used to make it, but I’m just going to go ahead and throw this out there: this gin is barely drinkable. I have to give it credit though … this is the only liquor I have ever had in my life where the taste actually got worse after I swallowed it.  It was really horrible to take.  And somehow the taste seemed to actually become stronger; burning dirt and pine tree flavor filled my throat.  Don’t think mixing it will help.  It won’t.  If Gilbey’s is dirt, mixing it with any liquid would just transform it to mud.  And mud is just dirt that’s easier to swallow. The only thing I recommend mixing this gin with is whatever is at the bottom of the kitchen drain.  And that is sad, really sad.  I guess nothing can hide ugly.

     Trying to get drunk off this gin is hard.  Not because it is weak or anything like that; it is just really hard to drink.  The best I could manage was a light buzz.  Needless to say, I received no hangover, but each taste came with that same amount of pain as a hangover.  If I did get a hangover, this would be the most rude and unfair liquor ever.  But carrying a $13 price tag, what can you really expect?

     This gin really hurt me because I love all liquors.  With that said, I’m ready to make Gilbey’s the red headed step child of my sweet liquor dream family.  If you only have a few dollars and want to get drunk off some gin, just save your money.  Go buy some Sunny D© instead.  It’s packed with vitamin C and good for you.  Do not buy Gilbey’s gin!  Maybe someday they will raise the price a couple of dollars and make something people can actually drink.

Sipability – 2.5

Mixability – 3.0

Drunkability – 4.0

Hangover-ability – 6.0

Bang for the Buck – 7.5

Chick-appeal -1.0

Overall – 4.0

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     I am not a gin drinker.  This is mostly due to a horrible previous experience where Pepsi© was used as a mixer, and I can assure you that there is a very good reason that you never hear anybody ordering a gin and Pepsi©.  I think most gin tastes like last year’s Christmas tree blended up and mixed with rubbing alcohol.  Tanqueray Rangpur is something entirely different.  This is, bar none, the smoothest gin I have ever had the pleasure of consuming, partially because it is the lightweight in the Tanqueray family at only 82.6 proof.  However, it is the Rangpur limes that do most of the work smoothing out the standard gin piney flavor.  In fact, this gin is so smooth that I found sipping it on the rocks to be a refreshingly pleasant experience.  It starts off with the juniper berries giving you a solid piney punch  in the palette, but the exotic lime flavor jumps in before it becomes overpowering. 

     As good as Rangpur is straight, it is even better mixed with a little tonic.  There really is no need for the dash of fresh lime juice in this cocktail.  We did not have any vermouth around so we did not try it, but we expect that the Rangpur would make one very fine martini.  At about $27 a fifth, it is a little more than the classic Tanqueray, but it’s definitely well worth it.  I caught a light buzz during our testing, somewhat less than I expected from an 80+ proof liquor, so I was a little disappointed in that respect.  The next morning I suffered no ill effects from the previous night’s fun, however, a friend who consumed several Rangpur and tonics claimed he woke up with a horrible headache.  We did not consider his experience when determining the ratings, so enjoy this gin at your own risk.

     I encourage gin afficionados and basically everyone else to go out and pick up a bottle.  If you are a gin hater like myself (now reformed), you might find that Tanqueray Rangpur will make you change your ways, and that the next time you find yourself at a bar you will be ordering a Rangpur on the rocks.

Also check out our review of Tanqueray No. 10.

Sipability – 7.0

Mixability – 8.5

Drunkability – 6.5

Hangover-ability – 8.0

Bang for the Buck – 7.0

Chick-appeal – 7.5

Overall - 7.5 

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     I liken Bombay Sapphire Gin to Brad Pitt.  Just as Brad Pitt is often desired by the female masses, Bombay Sapphire Gin is coveted by many a gin drinker.  However, much like making out with Brad Pitt couldn’t possibly live up to the hype, sipping Bombay Sapphire Gin just doesn’t quite please me the way I want.  Though this gin is rather smooth going down, the flavor comes off a little bland.  The infused flavors are so subtle, that you would really need to have a developed palate to name a handful of the many botanicals used.  Bombay Sapphire Gin doesn’t make you feel like you just snuck behind the bleachers with a pine tree, but the infused flavors do blend to leave a slightly piney and somewhat earthy taste in your mouth.

      When mixed with tonic water, Bombay Sapphire Gin provides a very light and smooth taste for a gin and tonic.  If you aren’t really much of a gin drinker, you might find the drink very pleasing and easy to consume, but I honestly felt the subtleties in the flavor produced a dull taste.  I’m a grown man; I should be able to suck on pine needles if I so choose!  Although this gin is very easy to drink and not at all harsh, I ultimately feel that there should be a little more to it for a top shelf selection.

     What Bombay Sapphire may lack in flavor, it makes up for in other areas.  Just as Brad Pitt shocks us all in his bare-knuckle boxing prowess in Snatch, Bombay Sapphire is very surprising in the punch it packs.  I certainly felt a little punch-drunk after consuming several of these gin drinks.  I was taken back by the buzz Bombay Sapphire gave me; gin is usually a drink I use when it’s time to slow down at the bar.

     Although I wasn’t as hung over as Brad Pitt’s character in Snatch after his mother’s wake, I definitely had a pounding headache.  It was a pretty harsh headache for a gin hangover.  Despite this discomfort the day after the test, Bombay Sapphire gets high marks in its value.  Although I found the flavor a little bland, at $30 for a 750mL bottle, the smoothness and the buzz it gave me merits a high mark in value.  Although there may be better gins out there, Bombay Sapphire is definitely worth a good look for any drinker.

Sipability – 6.0                                  

Mixability – 6.0

Drunkability – 7.5

Hangover-ability – 6.0

Bang for the Buck – 5.5

Overall - 6.0  

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