Two Shots and a Pint
  • Home
  • Blog Posts
    • From The 2 Shots Cellar
    • Beverages
      • Wine
      • Spirits and Cocktails
      • Beer
      • Coffee and Tea
      • Juice
    • Equipment
    • People
    • Wine 101
    • 2shotsaway
    • 2ShotsinChile
  • Events
  • About 2 Shots and a Pint
  • Contact Us

Two Shots and a Pint

  • Home
  • Blog Posts
    • From The 2 Shots Cellar
    • Beverages
      • Wine
      • Spirits and Cocktails
      • Beer
      • Coffee and Tea
      • Juice
    • Equipment
    • People
    • Wine 101
    • 2shotsaway
    • 2ShotsinChile
  • Events
  • About 2 Shots and a Pint
  • Contact Us
BeveragesEventsSpirits and Cocktails

Langley’s England Gin: Quintessentially English

written by Gail Sotelo December 4, 2018

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in the world, she walks into mine.” – Humphrey Bogart (as Rick Blaine), Casablanca (1942)

While Brewery at the Palace is certainly not a mere “gin joint”, it served as a perfect venue for the Langley’s England Gin Manila launch.

The talented DJ Jessica Milner setting the evening’s mood

I’m getting ahead of myself. A little technical background: Gin is classified as a neutral flavoured spirit with notes of juniper. Gin makers can make their distinctive gin with their choice of botanicals, distillation methods (there are two distillation methods: using pot stills for more character, or using column stills for a purer, smoother spirit), and their preference in adding flavours*.

Cocktails featured in the evening’s event

Having said that, what makes Langley’s England Gin different? It would help to look at the brand’s background: In 2011, drinks industry veterans Mark Dawkins and Mark Crump decided to launch their own gin brand. Focusing on the finding the “most perfectly balanced gin”, they created Langley’s No. 8, which went on to win multiple awards globally (including a Gold in San Francisco’s World Spirits Competition in 2014, and the Double Gold and UK Gin of the Year at the New York International Spirits Competition in 2016). They then went on to launch Langley’s Old Tom Gin, and Langley’s First Chapter.

Of course, at this point, the important question is, how is their gin?

We had the privilege of trying both the No. 8 and the Old Tom Gin during the launch, as well as cocktails that have incorporated said gins. Langley’s No. 8 is classified as a London Dry (may only be re-distilled with juniper and other botanicals, and no other flavourings may be added to the gin after distillation), and has refreshing notes of juniper, coriander seeds, sage, and citrus. It was perfect as the base used for the Langley’s G&B (made with classic Indian tonic, red grapefruit wheel, and a sprig of basil). I thought that it was a great easy-drinking gin to consume in our hot and humid weather (and I’m lazy, so I’d likely replicate the simple-to-make cocktail at home).

I never heard of Old Tom Gin until the brand’s Head of Export, Matt Ashton-Melia, told us about its existence. It’s an old gin recipe from 18th century England that has resurfaced in the craft cocktail scene, and is slightly sweeter than a London Dry. The Langley take on the Old Tom has touches of nutmeg, lemon peel, coriander, and fennel. I particularly loved how guest mixologist (and the brand’s Group Sales and Marketing Manager) Jonathan Zammit-Tabona used Langley’s Old Tom Gin to make a traditional Tom Collins. Neat (over a couple of ice cubes), I actually prefer this recipe because I like a little character in my drink.

(l-r): Matt Ashton-Melia (Head of Export), and Jonathan Zammit-Tabona (Group Sales & Marketing Manager)

Those keen to try the gin out can visit The Brewery (their setup was absolutely perfect for the launch, which also featured something very English: A cricket setup), Draft branches (Rockwell, Ortigas, Greenbelt, and my neighbourhood haunt in Molito Alabang), Discovery Primea, and many cool new bars in Metro Manila (such as Run Rabbit Run, OTO, Yes Please, and Behind the Brick House Bar).

That said, I’m going out to have myself something “quintessentially English” and get a glass. Cheers!


*Flavours may be added to gin by maceration (soaking flavouring ingredients in the spirit), re-distillation (re-distillation of spirit with flavour ingredients), or the addition of essences (or artificial flavours); particularly juniper and other botanicals (different seeds, berries, roots, fruits, and herbs)

Very, very special thanks to Mr. Chester Cabrera, Mr. Jonathan Zammit-Tabona, and Mr. Matt Ashton-Melia

Langley’s England Gin: Quintessentially English was last modified: December 3rd, 2018 by Gail Sotelo

Comments

comments

2shotsandapintalcoholbarblogbloggerbloggingbreweryeventginlangley'slaunchold tomspirits
0 comment
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Gail Sotelo

previous post
The Great American Thanksgiving Celebration
next post
The 18th Grand Wine Experience: Celebrating Diversity

You may also like

The Award Winning Pleasure of Errazuriz

October 12, 2018

Les Bars Secrets À Paris

July 14, 2017

Boxing Through October

November 7, 2019

The Wine of the Free

July 11, 2014

Grappling Grappas

August 16, 2015

The Ultimate Cocktail Experience

February 1, 2017

The Art of Beer

May 23, 2017

Spectre – Shaken, Not Stirred

November 25, 2015

On Friends, Travel, and Casual Wine Cultures

June 30, 2015

A Year In Bordeaux by AWC Txanton

December 22, 2018

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Follow Us

Facebook Instagram Pinterest Youtube

STAY UPDATED

Instagram

  • #thinking if I should do a #facebook #live uncapping #video for this one... #pisco #chile #chilean #spirit #cocktail #mixology #vlog
  • #happeningnow sneakily took a #photo in an #online #historical #bartending #competition #event with some of my #favorite #people! Today
  • Eternally #grateful that @starbucksph has #decaf #options. ❤️ Bonus points for matching our #festive table runner, too. #coffee #caffeine #coffeeporn
  • I #adore this #sake that I got from the nearby @ralphswines1975. #subtle but has enough #character... #easy #drinking but is
  • A quick and easy #gin and #tonic with @donpaparum @santaanagin and @fentimansltd. #nomnoms #gin #santaana #cocktail #shaker #mixology #speakeasy #jazz
  • May I just say I
  • I was wondering why the #cocktail #shaker was heavy... Thank goodness I didn
  • I mean... C
  • Apart from the #super #yummy #rum and #spirits #donpaparum serves up, I

Recent Posts

  • 2020 – A Discovery
  • 200 Years of Johnnie Walker: Origins, Music, and Cocktails
  • Back with A Glass of Arc G&T
  • Staying Cheesy with La Petite Fromagerie
  • Last Few Days of our Soju Promo!

Our Partners

Chile
Poco Deli

2018 Copyright © All Rights Reserved - 2 Shots and a Pint