Recently, the wine and spirits fairy delivered some samples of
Martin Miller's Gin. Clearly, someone out there thinks I've been a good girl. I must confess that for many years gin was on my banned drinks list after a dreadful experience at a dodgy disco in Spain, but lately I've had a change of heart. Many of my most fashionable friends are gin drinkers and there is a whole world of gin based cocktails I would like to explore.
Before I even sipped Martin Miller's Gin, I had high expectations that it would be deliciously different. You see, Martin Miller is gin obsessed. So obsessed, in fact, that his extreme dissatisfaction with other gins on the market inspired him to create his namesake brand in 1999. Described as a bon vivant with a head of unruly hair, Mr. Miller is quite a success story - he began amassing his estimated $40 million fortune as a schoolboy in England. His resume includes authoring dating guides, breeding hamsters, and investing in boutique hotels.
Hand crafted using a complex process that involves two separate distillations, every drop of Martin Miller's Gin is blended using Icelandic spring water. The first thing that I noticed about Martin Miller's Gin is the aroma - unlike my experiences with other gins, the juniper scent is subtle and does not knock you over. The refreshing, dry, and lively taste comes from a blend of familiar botanicals - juniper, coriander, angelica, and Florentine Iris-
coupled with the more unusual cassia, cinnamon bark, and liquorice, along with Seville orange peel and lime. It is also the first gin to
use cucumber in its recipe as a ‘functional ingredient’ giving Martin’s
Gin its unique and characteristic long, dry and fresh finish. Martin Miller's Gin has been lauded with over 25 international medals and accolades, including some fancy gold medals.
So far I've sampled Martin Miller's Gin neat, on the rocks, and with tonic - all absolutely delightful - the botanicals and flavors are beautifully balanced. Next on my list is a classic cocktail - the French 75. Recipe for a Martin Miller's Gin French 75 2 parts Martin Miller's Gin1 part lemon juice1 1/2 parts simple syrup top with Champagne Shake first three ingredients, strain into a flute, top with Champagne, and garnish with a lemon twist. A bottle of Martin Miller's Gin sells for about $36.
Visit the Martin Miller's Gin website for more great recipes and to learn more about this gin that was "born of love, obsession, and some degree of madness."
