January 13, 2019

Langley’s Gin, The Multi-Awarded Quintessentially English Gin is Now in the Philippines

I can’t really say if I like gin. Because I have bad memories and experiences with gin when I was in high school. I grew up in that generation with that gin-pomelo craze. So, every time I think of gin or pomelo all I can remember are that smell of that cocktail mix and those crazy moments. So as much as I can, I avoid drinking gin. Only as of late that I get to appreciate it fully.




Gin is liquor that derives its predominant flavor from juniper berries. Gin is one of the broadest categories of spirits, all of various origins, styles, and flavor profiles, that revolve around juniper as a common ingredient. From its earliest origins in the Middle Ages, the drink has evolved from an herbal medicine to an object of commerce in the spirits industry. Gin was developed based on the older Dutch liquor, jenever, and became popular in Great Britain (particularly in London) when William of Orange became King William III of England.

Gins come in many flavors and forms, which include Pink Gin, Rhubarb gin, Spiced gin, Violet gin and Blood orange Gin. Gins can be botanical or fruit-flavored and are commonly mixed with tonic water. Like vodka, gin is column-distilled or redistilled with a very unique blend of botanicals and ingredients, resulting in a spirit that has intentional flavor, where vodka has next to none.




Not only are these flavors unique, they’re assertive. Whatever blend of botanicals and spices go into a gin, you’ll always find some more or less prominent expression of juniper. And if you’ve never had juniper, just imagine drinking a Christmas tree. Not that’s it’s quite so simple; juniper actually packs a pleasant, floral, and, yes, assertively woodsy, piney flavor. The reason gins contain juniper goes back to Genever, gin’s great, funky granddaddy, a malt barley wine-based spirit that was meant to have medicinal properties but tasted pretty rough.

I attended the launch of Langley's Gin in the Philippines last month at The Upperhouse of The Brewery in Uptown BGC wherein we got to sample a couple of gin mixes using the said gin together with some pica-pica from the said bar.




Langley's Gin is a quintessentially English gin. Langley’s England is the aspirational home to classic, quality gins styled for modern settings. Known for its excellence in craft, quality and tradition, it has an innovative spirit, which challenges conventions. With a taste for daring and originality and with exploration and discovery at its heart. Langley’s England adheres to the rules of the finest crafted gin. The brand builds on this story by delivering distinct and provocative activities, which illustrate its contemporary relevance and distances it from the expected approach of its peers.




Crafting gin requires passion, dedication and expertise. Langley’s England captures the obsessive spirit necessary not only to succeed in a crowded industry but to create loyalty and longevity. Langley’s England uses traditional methods but sources the best and most balanced ingredients and botanicals from around the world. This ensures each gin is refined and remains true to its original recipe, while enhancing modern sipping settings.




The people behind Langley's Gin is a group of longstanding drinks industry professionals who have worked across the sector in the UK and internationally. Founded by Mark Dawkins and Mark Crump, two renowned specialists with extensive backgrounds working with large, multi-national drinks brands. Two of them visited the Philippines during the launch and one personally concocted the gin mixes for us to try.




The two variants that were launched were the Langley's Gin No. 8 and the Old Tom Gin.




Old Tom Gin's backstory started in Langley's England back in 18th Century London where unlicensed gin sales had been made illegal. Production of the liquid went underground and drinkers looking for a tipple would need to look for wooden plaques on walls of watering holes carrying a picture of a black cat. They would insert a coin and whisper a password – a shot of gin would be poured down a pipe and out of a hole underneath the cat’s paw.




Langley’s England brings a refined Old Tom, a classic, mildly sweeter, gin style of Victorian London into a modern setting. The drink is a quality gin that holds notes and secrets of a bygone era. As for the tasting notes, Langley’s Old Tom 40% gin is based on an 1891 recipe and brings together eight botanicals. Nose: Juniper and creamy orange essence with a touch of juicy tangerine notes. Palate: Slow kick of juniper, fennel, nutmeg, lemon peel and coriander that develops to a smooth, soft, sweetened finish that lingers. More botanically intense and sweeter than a London Dry. Old Tom also exists in 47% ABV

As for the Langley’s No. 8 Gin, it was born from a quest to create the most balanced of London Dry gins to meet the demands of a modern day, discerning palate. It promises a smooth and timeless gin to be enjoyed in good company. Langley’s No.8 is so called because the gin’s eighth incarnation struck the perfect balance of strength, smoothness and flavor notes from the 41.7% ABV.




The backstory of the Langley's No. 8 Gin originated when Alexander Gordon’s commitment to quality helped pave the way for better gin and other distillers soon followed suit in the 1820s and 1830s. New distilling methods began to emerge and enabled producers to make spirits that were free of impurities. As they didn’t need sugar or other ingredients to hide the taste, gin from the 1830s onwards was much cleaner and brighter. This new type of gin, referred to as London Dry Gin, became popular as it perfectly complemented the Victorians’ interest in healthier ways of living.




Langley’s No.8 is distilled a single time in an English-made pot still. It is made of 100% English grain spirit and classic gin botanicals from indigenous regions including angelica root, ground nutmeg, cassia bark and cloves. Nose: Juniper rich, with fragrant pine, hint of lemon, lavender with light violet notes. Palate: Juniper and coriander seed forward, with distinctive sage notes. Mid palate of a delicate sweetness with citrus notes. Towards the back of the mouth, a lingering liquorice, cracked black pepper and some spicy notes.

Here are the mixes that was curated for the guests during the launch:

Negroni - Langley's Gin No. 8, sweet Vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, dash Angostura bitters.



Langley's G&B - Langley's Gin No. 8, classic English tonic, wheel of red grapefruit, sprig of basil.



Tom Collins - Langley's Old Tom Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda.



The Clover Club - Langley's Old Tom Gin, lemon juice, raspberries, grenadine, egg whites, vermouth.



Between the two variations of the Langley's Gin I prefer the Old Tom better as it has more of that nutty flavor that I look for in liquor. As for the 4 cocktails that we tried, my favorite would have to be The Clover Club because it tastes similar to my fave whiskey sour and that this can be my alternative for the latter. Second would be the Langley's G&B, third the Negroni and last on the list would be Tom Collins. The array of finger food were mostly deep-fried stuff but they weren’t that greasy thus were very perfect with the cocktails.


@alwaysthefunnygirl and @jacexperience
titos and titas of Manila
Maybe I’ll get drunk so I have a reason to call you. Is six shots a good enough excuse to hear your voice?
my prize for winning the IG contest



Btw, Langley's Gins is available via boozy.ph. I had such a good time with my friends that night. Funny that it was just Tuesday and we were partying like it was Friday night. Well, Thirsty Tuesday could be a thing, right? I was also happy that I got to bring home a bottle of Old Tom Gin after winning the Instagram contest. Of which winning in a contest rarely happens to me. It was a fun night after all. 



THE BREWERY
The Palace, 9th Avenue Cor. 36th St.,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact Nos: +63 9175073442


For more information, complete menu and restaurant reviews, check out their Zomato profile: 
The Brewery at The Palace Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato



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