Flavor Profile
Gin Lane 1751 is indeed named for the (in)famous etching Gin Lane. The powerful piece of pro-English propaganda, produced by William Hogarth, portrayed in contrast the wicked debauchery of foreign produced spirit consumption and wholesome, British made beer.
Created at the height of the 18th century Gin Craze, Gin Lane often been misinterpreted as an accurate depiction of the gin craze, rather than the histrionic embellishment to serve an English nationalist theme.
The gin, Gin Lane 1751 borrows inspiration from this iconic moment in gin history. The botanical bill is extraordinarily classic. Other gins produced during this period, used similar combinations of Angelica, citrus, orris root and coriander. Though likely star anise is an anachronism, it’s far more likely native aniseed would have been used in a gin of the period.
Tasting notes
Aroma: Classic, but low intensity. Juniper, angelica root and a hint of coriander.
Flavor: If the nose reminds me a bit of Gordon’s at first, the palate is a bit closer to Beefeater. Soft citrus peel offers a nice balance to the largely juniper-forward palate.
Late palate a creaminess and earthiness reminiscent of licorice lends some nuttiness to it.
Finish: Rather dry with hints of earthy licorice and angelica root. Moderate warmth. Low intensity but it sticks around. You’ll especially notice this if sipping neat or in a Martini.
Cocktails
Gin Lane 1751 is made to be an accessible, reasonably priced gin for mixing in cocktails. It works well and brings a classic style juniper-led note to all drinks.
It works well in a gin and tonic. It is almost a blank slate. Pair it with a flavored tonic and the flavored note will shine. Pair it with a light, dry tonic and the juniper, angelica and licorice notes come through.
In more complex cocktail craft, it’s an apt alternative for almost any classic London Dry Gin— though I’d put it closer to Plymouth and Beefeater than Tanqueray or Tanqueray 10.
Overall, Gin Lane 1751
Gin Lane 1751’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. It is a versatile, accessible, classic London Dry Gin that any bartender could use in any application and it will bring juniper and gin notes to the party.
However, it’s also so by-the-numbers that it’s hard to say what Gin Lane 1751 does to differentiate itself. It’s almost a default gin.
In short, Gin Lane 1751 is a perfectly good gin. Bartenders can use it in any cocktail and it will work. It mixes well. However, if you already have a brand loyalty— it’s hard to say why you should switch to this gin. You could drop this gin in any established cocktail program and the change would likely go noticed. The opposite is also true.
Overall, an accessible, traditional gin at a good price point. But one that flavor-wise does little to differentiate itself.
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