Fleischmann’s Gin

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Charles Louis Fleischmann, along with his brother, produced America’s first commercial yeast product. He revolutionized baking bread in America. Founded in 1868, the very same plant became home to America first distilled dry gin and vodka. The label proudly declares itself “America’s first gin,” and why not? Surely our architecture can’t compete with the half-a-millennia or older buildings that are routine across England, but its curious that James Burrough’s 1876 founding of Beefeater earns him founding father status in gin history, but the Fleischmann brothers are mere footnotes. Fleischmann’s Gin is as classic, and as old, as many of those, and yet rarely earns a mention in the same breath…

Fleischmann’s Gin has been made continually since that time, and we’ve even tried a few different vintages.

Tasting Notes

Juniper and spicy, dusty coriander on the nose, while an intimation of celery and pine hovers in the background. The palate itself is smooth and rich. It begins quietly, biding its time while juniper builds. Mid-palate, you won’t be mistaken for what you’re drinking. Dusty coriander again, comes on mid and ushers in the finish. A twist of lemon hovers in the background, and then Fleischmann’s Gin has pine-note heavy juniper and delivers a crispness to the finish. The finish does have a slight sweet off-note, faintly of acetone. However, clean and classic, and altogether if served along side other late 19th century gins, it would fit right in with the rest of the bunch.

Cocktails

Though mixing seemed a bit of a letdown, because despite the robust flavor profile present when sipped on its own, it was easily overpowered in many of the cocktails we tried it in. Granted, at 40% it’s still rather low when held side-by-side with many other gins on the shelves these days, but it easily outweighs the classics available in the UK which are bottled at a measly 37.5%. Have I become a snob? Am I expecting too much from my gin? Sadly, despite a flavor that I would characterize as quite nice, and quintessentially American (could this be the gin which helped cultivate the American gin palate which seems to prefer more coriander than their European gin drinking brothers and sisters?), it doesn’t hold up in the quintessentially American art of cocktail craft.

We first tried Fleischmann’s Gin in a Moonlight CocktailThis was the best of the bunch owing to the large proportion of the drink which was gin. Floral and citrusy at first, it was smooth, and the gin brought a coriander and spice backbone to the last third of the palate, offering a badly needed counterpoint. Would have loved a bit more juniper, but overall it was quite good. Recommended.

Next we mixed Fleischmann’s Gin up in a Gin and Tonic Syrup with Jack Rudy’s Cocktail Co. Tonic Syrup.  The mild flavor profile we thought would be an ideal pairing with this gin, allowing its flavors to shine through; however, it was Jack who stole the show. Gentle spice, ginger, citrus and cinnamon ushered in a smooth and semi-sweet finish, with only a touch of bitterness. Juniper, oh wherefore are thou?

The Gimlet came off as if a slightly-more boozy lime cordial. There was a hint of gin in the lower notes, but overall, I’d recommend dialing up the gin ratio a little more heavily in order to get more through. Despite having exactly the right combination of flavors to balance this drink, Fleischmann’s was content fading into the background.

Finally, owing to the end of the winter season, we took a turn in our Tom Collins, replacing the Lemon with Tangerine. So a Tangerine Collins was the drink of choice. There was a nice blending of tangerine and juniper early on, with bright citrus grounded by a bit more pine and coriander. The finish was clean with the highly aromatic top notes of tangerine emerging from down in the mix. A nice drink, but I can’t help but wonder if this gin were bottles at 45%, if I might be gushing. Again,dial up the ratio a little above what you might normally do and you’ll get a better hit of the gin; but at 40%, I’m left wondering “what might be?”

Overall, Fleischmann’s Gin

For an inexpensive gin, Fleischmann’s Gin is quite nice. I wish it were bottled at a higher proof so that it mixed better. It’s only a couple of tweaks away from being a good gin. For now I have a hard time placing it. The off note on the finish hurts it on its own, and the fact that it’s easily overpowered in cocktails (but the off-note is nowhere to be found) leaves me in a touch place. It’s better than most inexpensive gins at this price point, though I’d recommend mixing it, dial it up just a touch over where you normally do your gin just to ensure you get the right amount of gin flavor.

 

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12 thoughts on “Fleischmann’s Gin”

  1. Have you changed your formula lately? The last two bottles I bought have tasted bad. What’s up? Please go back to original taste. I have been purchasing your product for over 20 years!!!

  2. can you please tell me where I can find the “airline” sample size of Fleischmann’s gin? I live in Pasadena, CA. thank you!

  3. This gin did actually used to be bottled at 90 proof because I can very clearly remember my grandparents always having this brand or sometimes Gordon’s in their liquor cabinet in order to make pitchers of gin and tonics with fresh lime in a big blue glass pitcher for pretty much every family cookout during the summertime back in the 1960’s and 70’s.

  4. I Knew this Gin changed… It was my favorite too. I came here after opening a bottle to disappointment 2 weeks ago. It looks like I’m going to have to find another brand of Gin to drink. It used to be Super heavy on the Juniper and Super heavy on the Heat with a hint of spice. It’s like finding out Coke no longer tastes like Coke and switched flavors with Pepsi.

  5. Bought this gin and was totally disappointed. I don’t taste anything close to gin when mixed with tonic and lime. Sorry your gin does not cut it and will look for a brand that tastes like gin should.

  6. Very mild, made it in a Martini. I think this might be better on the rocks, with just a twinge of lime. Nothing offensive, just not anything that really stands out. McCormick gin has a bit more of the classic Juniper flavors, and cost about the same…