Plymouth Gin facts for kids
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| Type | Gin |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Pernod Ricard |
| Country of origin | England |
| Introduced | 1793 |
| Alcohol by volume | 41.2% |
| Proof (US) | 72 (U.S. 83) |
Plymouth Gin is a special type of gin that has been made in the same place in Plymouth, Devon, since 1793. This place is called the Plymouth Gin Distillery. It was built way back in 1431 and people say it used to be a monastery for monks. That's why it's also known as the "Blackfriars Distillery." You can even see this name on the gin bottles.
Plymouth Gin tastes a bit different from other gins. It's often described as "earthy." It's also less dry and has more citrus flavors than the common London Dry Gin. Plymouth Gin was once one of only a few gins in the world with a special "geographical indication" (GI) from the European Union. This meant it was certified to come from a specific place. However, in 2015, the owners decided not to renew this status.
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What is Plymouth Gin?
The main Plymouth Gin is 41.2% alcohol by volume (ABV). This means 41.2% of the liquid is alcohol. It's a bit different and less dry than the common London Dry style. This is because it uses more root ingredients. These roots give the gin an "earthy" taste and make the juniper flavor softer. There is also a stronger version that is 47% ABV.
Plymouth also makes a special 'navy strength' gin. This one is 57% ABV. The British Royal Navy traditionally asked for gin this strong. It was a custom for new navy ships to get a "Plymouth Gin Commissioning kit." This kit was a wooden box with two bottles of navy strength Plymouth gin and special glasses.
As of 2021, Plymouth also makes other drinks. These include a sloe gin, a gin fruit cup, and a special "limited edition" gin. This limited edition gin uses juniper from a single source.
History of Plymouth Gin
In the 1700s, gin became very cheap and easy to get in England. This led to some social problems, known as the "Gin Craze." Many people worried about this. An artist named William Hogarth even made a famous picture called Gin Lane in 1751. It showed the problems people thought gin caused.
Because of this, gin got a bad reputation. Also, much of the gin made back then was not very good quality. But Plymouth Gin was seen differently. It was made far from the busy areas of London. It was also known for being a reliable and good quality drink.
The Royal Navy helped make Plymouth Gin famous around the world. As British ships traveled, they took Plymouth Gin with them. It was very popular in the early 1900s. Many old cocktail recipes, like those in the Savoy Hotel cocktail book, specifically asked for Plymouth Gin.
Who Makes Plymouth Gin Today?
Today, there is only one brand of Plymouth Gin. It is simply called Plymouth. It is made at the Blackfriars Distillery. This is the only gin distillery left in Plymouth. The building has been making gin since 1793.
The business that started making Plymouth Gin in 1793 was called Fox & Williamson. Later, it became known as Coates & Co. This name stayed until 2004.
In the 1990s, sales of gin were going down. Plymouth Gin was not selling well. Its owner, Allied Domecq, was focusing on another gin brand. In 1996, a new group bought the brand. They decided to make Plymouth Gin a special, high-quality brand. They changed the bottles to look like the original ones. The new bottles even had a drawing of a thirsty monk. People used to say, "when his feet are dry it’s time to buy."
After making the company successful again, they sold it in 2005. A Swedish company called V&S Group bought it. This company also made Absolut Vodka. Now, the French company Pernod Ricard owns Plymouth Gin. They bought V&S in 2008.
The European Union (EU) used to give Plymouth Gin a special status. This was called a protected designation of origin (PDO). It meant that only gin made in or near Plymouth using traditional methods could be called "Plymouth Gin." This protected it from others trying to copy it. But in 2015, Pernod Ricard decided not to renew this status. They felt it was not needed because they own the name Plymouth Gin. Also, their Blackfriars Distillery has been the only maker of this gin for over 100 years.
How the Bottles Changed
In 1998, when the new owners took over, they brought back the old bottle design. It had the thirsty monk drawing inside. They also brought back the original strength of 41.2% ABV. And they introduced the Navy Strength at 57% ABV. This reminded people that it was the official gin for the British Royal Navy.
In 2006, the new owners, V&S, changed the bottle again. It became more like an Art Deco style. The front of the bottle showed the ship, Mayflower. This was because the Pilgrim Fathers stopped in Plymouth before their journey to the New World. Local stories say some of them stayed in the monastery that later became the distillery. Just like the monk's feet, people joked that it was time for a new bottle when the Mayflower "no longer sails on gin."
In 2012, the bottle was changed one more time. It went back to a classic "shaving bottle" shape. It had a slight green color. The words "Est. 1793 – Black Friars Distillery" were pressed into the front.
Awards and Recognition
Plymouth's Original Gin has won many awards. Between 2006 and 2016, it won four double gold medals. It also won four gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. These were all at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2016, both the Original Gin and the Navy Strength Gin won gold medals at this competition.
