As every seasoned distiller knows, the delicate dance of distilling gin can be as captivating as it is challenging. Whether it’s through the traditional London Dry method or blending multiple distillates, each approach involves a unique dedication to process and a skill set to match.
In this article, we’ll delve into the complexity and beauty of the two most common gin making methods. On the one had you have the London Dry method were all the botanicals are distilled together in a recipe to make the final spirit. The other, the Blended method, where each botanical is distilled separately and the distillates are then blended together to create gin.
We’ll look into their respective advantage and disadvantages and explore how their subtle differences.
For budding ginsmiths and those looking to make their own, not only will you better understand each, you’ll be able to pick which might be better suited to your distillery process.
Traditional London Dry method: Harmony in a single distillation
When we think of gin, it’s hard not to think of London Dry. This style is synonymous with gin’s image and tradition. This method’s beauty lies in the symphony of botanicals – juniper, coriander, angelica root and more – all distilled together in a single orchestral performance.
In the London Dry method, all the botanicals must be distilled at the same time. This approach requires a meticulous recipe balance. The distiller plays the role of the conductor, guiding the symphony of flavours to a harmonious conclusion through the way they use their still.
Mastering this method involves getting to know your still intimately. Each still has its own character, its quirks, its ideal heating settings, and time-line. The distiller must tune into the rhythm of the still, the hum of the botanicals, and the notes of the developing spirit to create a gin that sings. There’s a tempo to it and there are really important cuts to make too. The hearts cut is one of the biggest factors at play when making a gin where all the botanicals are distilled at the same time.
It’s worth noting that there is more to making London Dry than distilling all the botanicals in unison. Have a look at our article on London Dry here.
Irrespective of whether they are seeking the moniker or not – here are 5 reasons why a distiller might chose to go down an “all-in at the same time” method.
Upholding tradition
There is something to be said about maintaining tradition, especially in the world of spirits. Distilling all the botanicals at once dates back centuries and is deeply entrenched in the heritage of gin. For many who employ this process, it’s not just about distilling a spirit. It’s about preserving a rich history and carrying forward a legacy.
The symphony of chemistry
In an all-in distillation, all botanicals are distilled together in a single run. This allows for unique chemical reactions to take place that you just can’t mimic through blending distillates.
These co-distillations, reactions and botanical interplay result in a complexity of character that is unique. It’s an organic, somewhat unpredictable process at first that can lead to delightful discoveries that far exceed the sum of their parts.
Cost efficiency
Employing a method similar to London Dry could be seen as more cost-effective. One run through the still yields one batch of gin, and more if you are doing a multi-shot concentrate. It’s a straightforward and economical process to forecast and plan for.
By contrast, distilling and blending individual botanicals require more time, resources, and potentially more costs up-front. For example a 12 botanical recipe needs a dozen distillations just to create the first batch. For those with big pot stills, running that efficiently and managing depletion rates is not as straight forward as just making another batch London Dry style…
The distillery infrastructure also needs to be optimised to a different set up – each botanical needs its own separate storage, and the gin needs careful blending and resting (read, more stainless steel tanks).
For distilleries operating on a tight start up budget, they offer very different pathways to gin production.
Mastery and artistry
While distilling individual botanicals may be forgiving to the novice distiller, the London Dry method demands a level of mastery and intuition that some craftsmen relish. The challenge of balancing multiple botanicals in one distillation run calls for a deep understanding of each ingredient. You need a honed in and fully developed recipe, as well as a keen intuition on how they’ll interact.
This complexity provides a platform for the distiller’s artistry to shine. It turns each batch into a testament to their skill and dedication.
This connection to the craft also plays out on a daily basis. The intermingling scents of juniper, coriander, citrus, and other botanicals filling the air create a sensory feast that’s a quintessential part of the gin distilling process. Making the cuts at the right time is a fun challenge. This multi-sensory engagement with the craft is a joy many London Dry distillers wouldn’t trade for anything.
Consistency and uniformity
To get consistent results when distilling to a London Dry method involves the distiller being highly aware of the inputs. They need to carry out a lot more testing and be far more vigilant when weighing grams for their recipes.
Once distilling, they need to work with their still to ensure any deviations from norm are fixed on the go. It’s a different set of challenges than creating botanical distillates, where there is a potential to mitigate a different input through the blending process. It involves a different skillset and mentality. The art is in the prep and the distillation, where as for those blending, it’s in the combining and marrying.
For many, that’s why they are passionate about the London Dry process. Put simply – If you have all the tools at your disposal to do this, why not use them? If the job of a distillery manager is to create consistent product through Quality Assurance, Process Control and Sensory Evaluation – why not do it? The process forces the distiller to do their job to the fullest.
The art of blending: Individual botanical distillation
On the other hand there’s the blended distillation method—a path of infinite possibilities. This method requires the distiller to isolate each botanical to its own distillation. They create a range of unique and highly distinct distillates.
These distillates serve as the individual building blocks of the final spirit.
Unlike the London Dry method, where the focus is on balance within a single distillation, blending multiple distillates requires the distiller to master a different kind of artistry. This method is more akin to a liquid puzzle, with each distillate representing a piece that must fit together in the blend.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking this process is much easier.
While the distiller has control over each distillate’s flavour profile, the challenge lies in creating a consistent final product. It’s a game of careful calculation and instinct. It involves knowing when adding more will bring the blend to its peak, and how it will settle.
Here are 5 reasons why a distiller might chose to distil botanicals separately…
Preserving the seasonal bounty
Some botanicals are at their flavour peak for a short time every year. Citrus and florals in particular. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on these seasonal gems and are distilling from fresh, you’d want to capture their essence while at their prime.
By distilling individual botanicals, you can process your seasonal bounty as soon as it’s harvested, ensuring that none of that fresh, vibrant flavour goes to waste. Once you’ve distilled the botanical and captured its essence in liquid form, you can store it until you’re ready to blend it into your gin.
This approach allows you to infuse your gin with the fleeting beauty of the seasons and share it with the world all year round.
Maximising flavour extraction
Each botanical is a world of flavours waiting to be explored. Individual distillation allows us to embark on this voyage of discovery. Each botanical has its own sweet spot for extraction. There’s a unique set of conditions under which each reveals its best self.
In a mixed botanical distillation, you must find a compromise that works for all the botanicals in the mix. While this can create a beautifully balanced spirit, it also means that some botanicals may not get the chance to shine as brightly or as fully as they could.
By distilling botanicals individually, you can optimise the extraction process for each one from maceration right the way through to the way it is distilled. You can take the time to understand the botanical. You can learn how heat and time affect its flavour, and create a distillate that showcases its full potential.
Adapting to market preferences
In today’s globalised world, gins are enjoyed far and wide, from London to Los Angeles, Melbourne to Mumbai. Yet, each market has its own unique palate preferences. Some regions might favour a stronger juniper punch, while others lean towards more floral or citrus-forward profiles.
Producing individual botanical distillates allows distillers to create a more customised gin experience for different markets. By isolating each botanical’s unique flavour, distillers can subtly adjust the blend to cater to a specific market’s tastes.
For instance, if a market has a known preference for citrus-forward gins (e.g. the USA) , the blender can simply increase the proportion of citrus distillates in the blend destined for that market. This gives the distiller a level of flexibility and control that isn’t as easy to do with a single distillation approach. Changing a London Dry recipe is a far more complex operation than merely dialling up one ingredient.
Optimising production capacity
Efficiency and capacity are considerations for any distillery, particularly those operating on a smaller scale. And for those working on a micro scale, producing individual botanical distillates offers a clear advantage.
A traditional London Dry method requires a carefully chosen ‘hearts’ cut, which is the purest part of the spirit run. This part of the distillate is rich in desirable flavours but comprises a much smaller proportion of the total distillate. This can lead to a lower overall yield per distillation run. The cut when treating each ingredient individually is far wider.
Making a multi-shot gin (a concentrated hearts cut) using the London Method is difficult. It’s far easier to create single botanical concentrates as you are only dealing with one botanical at a time. Because of this, small stills making intense singular distillates (which are stretched for neutral spirit post distillation) can churn out substantial volumes and maximise the distillery’s potential scale.
So, for those with limited production capacity, the individual botanical distillation method offers a path to increased productivity.
It allows these distilleries to punch above their weight, delivering a volume of product that belies their small scale. It’s another compelling testament to the adaptability of the gin distillation process, offering avenues for distilleries of all sizes to thrive.
Harnessing unique skillsets and confidence
Just as every gin has its unique character, every distiller brings their own set of skills. As we described earlier, some distillers find their calling in the technical precision of recipe formulation. They master the art of distilling a harmonious blend of botanicals in a single run.
Others find joy in the sensory exploration of blending, using their intuitive understanding of aromas and flavours to create captivating gins from a library of individual botanical distillates.
This latter group of distillers is akin to perfumers. They use their highly developed olfactory senses and their knowledge of scent profiles to create intoxicating blends. They relish the freedom and flexibility of working with individual distillates, building their gins note by note like a composer crafting a symphony.
For these distillers, creating individual botanical distillates isn’t just a practical choice — it’s also a creative one. It allows them to express their individuality, to play to their strengths, and to create gins that truly reflect their personal touch.
Final thoughts: Two paths to a spirited destination
The London Dry method and the blending of individual distillates each have their unique appeal and advantages.
Choosing between them is a matter of aligning with your philosophy as a distiller, considering your resources, and ultimately, following your passion for the craft.
Both methods are clearly capable of producing exceptional gins. Many distillers do a bit of both! If you are distiller trying to figure out how to develop you plan, your distillery process and your recipe – the above is a summary of all the big talking points.
The advice to take it forward is simple. Look at your skillset, your scale, the key components in the botanical profile and your attitude towards tradition. The answer for what will be most appropriate tends to be a simple choice from there…
