Friday 21st October 2016
Portland House, Cardiff
Stepping from the autumn chill of Bute Street, into the bright splendour of Portland House, with three chums, to be handed a gin guidebook, a massive glass and directions through to Cardiff’s Gin Festival 2016, is surely Friday night gold.
The mini gin book told me that Gin Festival was the brainchild of Jym and Marie back in 2012 and was full of information on the history and types of gin. It was also packed with information about over 100 gins that were available that night. We studied the form like gamblers analysing the race card, determined to win big. Granted, between us we were unlikely to be able to sample them all, given the constraints of time and liver function, so we would be scientific, moving through each of the four bars, each ordering different styles, sharing and discussing.
I opened nostalgically, travelling to the Land of the Prince Bishops for a Durham Gin, garnished with lemon and served with Fever Tree Indian Tonic, proud of my Geordie roots tasting this. It zinged and singed in the mouth, most welcome after a taste of Sipsmith V.J.O.P which, as a navy strength at 57.7% ABV and garnished with basil, walloped the back of my throat, not unpleasant but sipping it, I knew I was drinking a very classic, confident, grown-up gin.
A foraging mission lead by Amanda and Chris brought back olives, ripe as your highest hopes of those oil slicked orbs and pork scratching in both their pure salty glory and pimped with habanero, all working like taste troopers on the tongue to build the thirst.
I travelled south to Kent for a Bathtub Old Tom. At an ABV of 42.4% and this time garnished with lime, it managed smooth and easy drinking like the Andy Williams of the gin world. I fetched up in Italy next and chose La Vita & Bella. Served with Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic, I was warm, sunny, holidaying, or at least my mouth was.I whistle-stopped through Amanda’s choices and tried Al’s Braeckman’s Vanilla Jenever, it tasted like a creamy, Christmassy cuddle.
Looking around the heaving, high-ceilinged room, listening to live music, laughing, eating and drinking, I said a little thank you to Jym and Marie for a marvellous idea. Gin may have once been known as Mother’s Ruin, but I think it’s now shod that cloak in the most stylish, delicious, fabulous fashion.
words ALISON POWELL