Product of: United Kingdom

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Named after the Yeoman Warders Who've guarded the Tower of London since appointed as personal bodyguards by King Henry VIII in 1485, they remain the Queens's official bodyguards at state occasions when they wear distinctive scarlet and gold state uniforms (instead of red and blue 'day' tunics).

As well as juniper from Tuscany, Beefeater is flavoured with coriander seeds, liquorice, orris root, Seville orange peel, Spanish lemon peel, Spanish bitter almonds, angelica root and seeds. These are steeped in wheat neutral grain spirit for a minimum of 24 hours, before steam heat is gently applied to the base of the pot still to start a distillation process that takes over seven hours.

The Yeoman Warders, or Beefeters, after which this gin is named act as visitor guides at the Tower of London where they can be seen in their red and blue 'day' tunics. Beefeater gin keeps close to its namesakes and the Warders are invited to a Christmas lunch at the distillery each year and presented with a bottle of Beefeater gin on their birthday.

In the early 1990s the brand leader and other competitor gins lowered their strength in the UK to the then newly permissible level of 37.5% alc./vol.. Beefeater defiantly held its strength at 40% alc./vol. and, to its credit, retains that strength to this day (47% alc./vol. in USA).

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 15/07/2012

Appearance:

Crystal clear.

Aroma:

Clean pine fresh juniper with a subtle lemon and orange zest.

Taste:

More orange notes emerge on the palate as do more subtle hints of parma violet and coriander.

Aftertaste:

Orange notes re-emerge the peppery, coriander finish.