Gin is a neutral spirit that is flavored with botanicals. The most popular botanical is juniper berries. This is the ingredient that gives gin its distinctive taste.
Gin is made predominately from corn. After the mash is distilled, it is flavored with juniper berries, along with any combination of: coriander seed, anise, licorice, almonds, orris root, cinnamon, lemon peel, cassia and angelica root. This unique combination of botanicals is what gives each gin its subtle differences.
The botanicals are usually placed in baskets or trays inside the still, where they impart their flavor on the vapors. the re-distilling of the neutral spirits with botanicals makes gin very unique. Gin is usually distilled as 86 proof.
