The Gin That Launched A 1000 Ships

            As a lifelong gin aficionado, the Black Friars Distillery has the same irresistible allure to me as Graceland does to Elvis fans. At the 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the brand earned a coveted double gold medal and was named the Best White Spirit of the prestigious event. I recall that judging and how much more vibrant and brilliant it was than any other white spirit entered that year. Visiting its historic birthplace coalesced my feelings and solidified my belief that Plymouth arguably ranks among the elite spirits in the world, all at an inexplicably reasonable price.

            The landmark brand has a long, storied history with the British Royal Navy; in fact it is still the daily issue to its officers. Black Friars Distillery is the England's oldest, continuously operating distillery. Now over 200 years old, the venerable brand is distilled in a large copper alembic still using pure grain spirits, soft water from the Dartmoor Reserve and an infusion of seven, hand-selected botanicals. It should also be noted that in 1896 the first published recipe for the Martini called for the use of Plymouth.

            A quick sniff is all that's necessary to explain the gin's enduring popularity. It has an expansive citrus and juniper bouquet and a seamlessly smooth body. The gin immediately fills the mouth with the exuberant flavors of juniper, coriander, orange and lemon. The gin finishes long and amazingly flavorful. What an unadulterated joy.

            In my next life I want to come back as a pimento-stuffed olive so I can soak in Plymouth Gin and not be deemed a social deviant. That would be a marvelous change.