Aaron Knoll

Denver

Founder and Writer at The Gin Is In

Researcher and Author.

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We're going back to ad free, but we need your help

2 weeks ago | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

Thank you all for your support over the last sixteen years. We remain independent. We don’t charge distillers for reviews. We don’t accept promotional content or guest posts from brands/marketers. AI results from Google and ChatGPT are making it harder for independent sites (like this) to survive. If you value non-sponsored, independent gin reviews— I need your support.
The story of the Finnish Long Drink

Dec 2, 2024 | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

While in Finland, I discovered the ubiquitious ready-to-drink Finish lonkero or “Long Drink.” Widely available in Finnish liquor stores the Finish Long Drink was even more widely available out. I’d be in restaurants or saunas with only one or two drinks on draft, and without fail the Finnish Long Drink was one of them. For the unfamiliar the Finnish Long Drink was first produced by Hartwall for the 1952 Summer Olympics.
DIY Gin Kits. How to make a beter DIY Gin?

Nov 7, 2024 | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

As gin has become more popular, so have “make your own DIY gin at home kits.” They’re often marketed towards people who know gin-lovers. But, those who want to get into distilling may be disappointed. These bathtub gin kits don’t actually require any distilling. They simple require botanical maceration and patience. Unfortunately, I often find these “make your own gin kits” somewhat disappointing. Are Bathtub Gins Gin?
Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin

Oct 28, 2024 | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

Flavor ProfileSipsmith’s lemon flavored gin offering is inspired by early 20th century gin formulas for citrus-flavored gins. For example, Gordon’s is one of the extant gin brands who had a lemon gin on market in the 1930’s. The “lemon drizzle” part of Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle comes from the non-lemon botanicals. Specifically almond and vanilla, which combine with the citrus for a more complex, bakery inspired flavor profile. Lemon Drizzle is a specific type of cake popular in Britain.
Top 10 Boutique-y Gins

Oct 24, 2024 | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

Since 2017, That Boutique-y Gin Company has been partnering with distilleries the world around to release limited edition and experimental gins which push the boundaries of the category. We’ve also reviewed quite a few, and thought after two years and quite a number of gins that we would countdown our top 10 Boutique-y Gins. In fall 2018, That Boutique-y Gin Company partnered with Lizzie Ostrom— author and perfumer— to create a line of gins inspired by scent.
A New Way to Review Gin

Oct 24, 2024 | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

I’ve struggled with the idea of how to review gin over the years. There’s a lot of subjectivity when it comes down to “what you like” and “what I like.” Though I’ve given numerical rating to every gin as a way of keeping track of what I like, I do my best to explain the flavors in a way that you can make a decision on your own. After all, I like to see the purpose of The GIN is IN as way of trying to help you find a gin that you’re going to love.
Is there gluten in gin?

Oct 24, 2024 | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

The most frequent question I get these days is, “is there gluten in gin?”For a TL;DR you could stop reading now. But if you still think that because there’s Red Winter Wheat in your gin, that it has gluten in it, please read on. The Celiac Disease Foundation states clearly, “distilled products do not contain any harmful gluten peptides even if they are made from gluten-containing grains.
United States' definition of gin — an overview of current TTB...

Oct 24, 2024 | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

The authoritative source for spirit type definitions is the Beverage Alcohol Manual, often abbreviated as BAM. This guide should not be construed as legal advice. Please consult the manual for the most recent information if you’re making a gin.
Expert Gin Review and Tasting Notes

Oct 22, 2024 | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

Flavor ProfileIn 1999, on the album titled 2001, Dr. Dre featured Snoop Dogg on the single Still D.R.E.. It only has 1.5 billion views on Spotify, so you might have heard it. In other words, if you’ve followed Dr. Dre or Snoop Dogg for even second, you probably get the reference in the name Still G.I.N.. Still G.I.N. is far from Snoop’s first foray into gin.
Astraea Ocean Gin

Oct 12, 2024 | theginisin.com | Aaron Knoll

Flavor ProfileAstraea Ocean Gin is designed similar to other gins in the Astraea line— botanicals are macerated, and then distilled in the London Dry style. Ocean deviates a touch, with its addition of salt after distillation, for a briny, coastal version of the Pacific Northwest. Botanically, aside from the seaweed— Ocean Gin features 9 of the 11 most frequently used gin botanicals (at least based on this site’s database).