Beefeater is one of the best known Gins available. It is also one of the oldest, as it finds its roots in 1863, when James Burrough, an enterprising pharmacist in London, bought a Gin rectifier and decided to start experimenting.
Burrough is the father of a few notable Gins that are around today, namely Beefeater and Haymans.
He bought a distillery at Cale Street, in London, after having lived in Canada for a number of years. This becomes his base for a number of years, and he started a successful business selling hand crafted spirits and liquors here.
It was in 1876 that he came up with the recipe for Beefeater and a classic was born. It became hugely popular, and remains as one of the best selling gins today.
Beefeater became known as the quintessential London Dry Gin, helping to define the category. Critics still laude it as a shining example of what a typical London Dry should strive to emulate.
It is made up of nine botanicals, including juniper, lemon peel, coriander seed, almond, Seville orange peel, orris root, liquorice root, angelica root and angelica seed. The recipe has not deviated massively since Burroughs first created it.
As well as their flagship London Dry, Beefeater also creates other Gins, including one simple named Beefeater 24.
It was created by Desmond Payne, who is Master Distiller at Beefeater, and has been distilling for an incredible 50 years.
Beefeater 24 is his brainchild, and is definitely one to be proud of.
It is made up of 12 different botanicals including juniper, angelica root, angelica seed, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, liquorice root, Japanese sencha, Chinese green tea, almond, Seville orange peel, coriander seed and orris root.
The key goal with Beefeater 24 was to inspire mixologists to create great Gin cocktails.
The flavour profile is exciting and unique. It opens with an aromatic nose that is full of green tea and sweet sencha notes. These make for a really in depth and rich flavour.
They combine well with the floral notes of the angelica, and the sweetness of the coriander.
The palate is refined and interesting, with more tea notes and a sharp sweet grapefruit flavour.
The citrus is present all the way through, as it is with a standard Beefeater London Dry.
The fruit flavours really come alive against the backdrop of green tea and their saccharine qualities grow.
The finish is bursting with taste and overflowing with more citrus notes and a dash of juniper for good measure.