Is Gin or Vodka a gentleman's drink?

[itsstillmatt]

In my opinion, Vermouth is an important ingredient of the Martini. I think that the drying out of the Martini is a shame. I prefer mine 4 to 1.

As I see it, there are two major reasons for the drying out that has happened since the golden age of the cocktail:

1. People associate martinis with Vodka, and the botanicals in Vermouth work splendidly with Gin, but not so well with Vodka.

2. People think it is manlier to go drier. That may be so, but it tastes shittier as well.

 

[LabelKing]

What happened to the martini lunch?

 

[Martinis at 8]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

What happened to the martini lunch?

I have had a couple of those in New Orleans with a few clients. No one goes back to work after lunch.

 

[countdemoney]

Originally Posted by iammatt

2. People think it is manlier to go drier. That may be so, but it tastes shittier as well.

I really do adore gin, so for me, extra dry is extra better.

One of my old profs often told the story of how, pre-aids and awareness of other diseases, he would take the vermouth, swirl it on the inside of the martini glass and then pour the vermouth back into the bottle.

Personally, I prefer the swirl and discard or a wave of the vermouth bottle.

 

[horton]

I agree with Iammatt. If you think you like a dry martinin, try some different vermouth.

I also think there's a big difference (both for vodka and gin) whether you stir the drink versus shaking it. Shaking really does "bruise" the gin, though I have no reason why this is the case. I like putting the alcohol in a shaker (or other holder) with a lot of ice and then stirring (e.g., with a chopstick) 2 or 3 times and that's it. The less time on/with the ice, the better.

 

[Morris]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Gin is very classic and British. I wager the people who told you gin was for females were Americans, as I seem to notice they don't like gin much.

Vodka is also classic although it tends to be Slavic in tradition.

Bombay Saphire is the only gin (and frankly only non-single malt spirit) that will pass my lips.

 

[Nantucket Red]

Originally Posted by Morris

Bombay Saphire is the only gin (and frankly only non-single malt spirit) that will pass my lips.

Try Hendricks gin and premier cru cognacs.

 

[saint]

Tanq 10 and Hendricks both make excellent martinis. I have to agree with those who like a classic 4 or 5 to 1 martini, I used to drink super dry martinis with just a twist and no vermouth. However, as my tastes have (hopefully) matured I really like an old school martini with a dash of orange bitters and a couple of olives (tipsy olives, prefered).

 

[Jen]

Originally Posted by tiger02

^ Agreed. If you can taste the alcohol, it's not a girly drink.
Well...
This girly likes her single malts straight up

Never been much of a martini drinker, though. I may just have to order one next time I'm out.

 

[Martinis at 8]

Originally Posted by Jen

Well... This girly likes her single malts straight up...
Same with Mrs. M8. MacCallan's 18-yr. old, served neat.

 

[Mute]

Some of us guys prefer our single malts that way as well.

 

[Huntsman]

I like to ask the barkeep for my scotch "just as it pours."

~ Huntsman

 

[Saucemaster]

Does it even count if you don't drink it neat?

 

[chrysalid]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

I like to ask the barkeep for my scotch "just as it pours."

~ Huntsman

i mentioned in the JW thread - some cask strength scotch needs a bit of water (soda or still) - much above 50%abv and i can't taste much at all, also it can feel like it's burning all the skin off the back of my throat - nasty. up in scotland nearly all the old boys my family knows drink scotch with water, no ice - just water.

as for gin, bombay saphire is my favourite - i reckon its a bit more delicate than some of the more expensive ones, i'm no martini specialist though. vodka and you can't go far wrong with stolichnaya - cheap and russian and i love the label as well. i saw a stolichnaya blue label in a shop once but never bought it - anyone heard of? think it might have been 'crystal' or something...nothing on their web site. smirnoff black is nice as well, their red and blue labels taste of embalming fluid, but neat freezered black label has a subtle smoky, almost peaty, taste - lovely

 

[itsstillmatt]

I prefer Boodles and Beefeater to the new premium gins. I am actually not clear that there ever was a need for premium gin (or premium vodka for that matter).