Gilman's Gin

Gilman's Gin comes from Scandic Distilleries, whose production site at Sudrigiu, in Bihor County in western Romania, began construction in 1996 and is presented as the first privately owned distillery built in Romania after 1989. The same producer makes Scandic Vodka, and Gilman's is its dry ginDry ginGin with no perceptible sweetness: in the European Union, the word "dry" allows at most 0.1 g of sugar per litre.GlossarySee Dry gin gins, bottled at 37.5% ABV in 0.7 litre bottles.

Citrus · Woody · Dry

The producer describes Gilman's as a dry gin made to its own recipe, combining alcoholic strength with the subtle aroma of natural juniper extract, and aimed at people with strong personalities. The declared ingredients are water, ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin from grain, natural gin flavour and sugar, which places Gilman's closer to a compound-style gin than to a distilled London DryLondon DryA style, not a place of origin: every flavour comes from distilling natural botanicals. After distillation only water and a trace of sugar may be added, with no flavouring or colouring.GlossarySee London Dry gins: the juniper character comes from a natural extract added to the spirit rather than from redistillation with botanicals.

That approach gives a light, accessible profile. Juniper is present without heavy resin, the grain spirit keeps the base neutral and smooth, and the small amount of sugar softens the palate, which suits a gin designed to be enjoyed neat or in cocktails. At 37.5%, the minimum strength for gin in the European Union, the alcohol also stays gentle.

Scandic Distilleries has shown Gilman's in a Raspberry Collins, a fruity take on the Tom CollinsTom CollinsA long drink of gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda water, served over ice in a tall glass.Glossary made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, raspberries and soda water, and that kind of long, fresh drink suits the style well. Indian tonicIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary adds the bitterness that the soft profile does not bring on its own, and a wheel of lemon keeps the drink bright.