London is a city of great history and lore with grandeur and monarchy dating back for centuries. Some of this legacy has faded with the modern day innovation, but the illustrious Beefeater Gin has been able to withstand the test of time. “London Gin” is the name of the most common style of gin (others include Sloe, Plymouth and Old Tom), and Beefeater is the only one that can say that every single bottle sold around the world is distilled and bottled within the city of London.
A Look Back
The founder of Beefeater Gin, James Burrough, was born in the south of England and always had a penchant for experimentation. He began life as a pharmacist and after spending several years honing his craft in Toronto, returned England in 1863 where at the age of 28, he bought a distilling firm in Chelsea for £400 ($200).
The distillery was well regarded for a number of ‘foreign liqueurs’ including Curaçao and cherry brandy, but also produced fruit gins. Burrough had access to a number of fruit purveyors and began testing out different recipes drawing on his experience as a pharmacist until he found the exact combination of the nine botanicals that would become Beefeater.
Where’s the Beef?
In 1958 the Beefeater Distillery moved to its current location in Kennington, Lambeth from where to this day, every bottle of Beefeater is created. Desmond Payne, Master Distiller, joined Beefeater in 1995 and still uses the original formula conceived by James Burrough which includes juniper, coriander seed, lemon peel, Seville orange peel, liquorice, Angelica root, orris root, Angelica seed and almond.
Each of these essential elements is precisely proportioned and is steeped in a neutral grain spirit for 24 hours before distillation. This distinctive process ensures a concentration of flavor unique to Beefeater.
What’s in a name?
So what is a Beefeater? In 1485, under the reign of King Henry VII, the Yeoman Warders were founded. Theirs was a prestigious post which required years of prior military service and their nickname was Beefeater. The Warders were tasked with guarding the prisoners of the Tower of London and protecting the Crown Jewels.
Where the term Beefeater actually originated from is one of debate and historical speculation. Some say the Warders may have received partial payment in chunks of meat while others propose they were fortunate to be allowed to eat beef in the Royal Kitchens.
Whatever the truth about how the name came to be, Beefeater London Dry Gin certainly captures the tradition and splendor of London, and with each and every bottle shares these characteristics with gin lovers in all corners of the world.
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