Gin and rum, which experience has shown to be very popular among sailors, are now available in several thousand variants. And it doesn't look any different with other alcoholics. The range of high-quality hard liquors is so diverse that consumers without detailed specialist knowledge are left with a rather perplexed view of it. And it should be exactly the same for many sailors who are looking for a suitable gift these days or for a stylish drink for the holidays.
We have therefore created a shopping guide and filtered out those spirits from the seemingly endless range that are in some way related to sailing, seafaring or the sea. Be it because of their origin, their name or their route of transport. We invited the relevant manufacturers and dealers to provide a tasting sample, and then research that was by no means commonplace for the YACHT began: Our editors became beverage critics.
Despite the vast majority of their expertise in the field, their tastes and views on the subject sometimes diverged widely. That is why we asked all participants for a note, our "on-board bar factor". It is measured according to the scale from 0 ("Yuck, tastes like bilge water") to 10 ("A great pleasure, belongs in every on-board bar").
GIN
20457 HAFENCITY
20457 HAFENCITY
HOW IT ARRIVES
Cuddly dark bottle with the postcode of Hamburg's Hafencity as the dominant element on the label. There, its inventor tinkered with various recipes and distillates for a year and a half before he found his final composition. A still young product, it did not come onto the market until the end of 2017. Almost the entire creation process takes place by hand: filling, corking, labeling, numbering.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Around a dozen ingredients give the Hafencity gin its own note, but the taste experience remains diffuse. A light, simple drink, that's okay in the experience, nothing more.
Price: approx. 35 euros
Info: 41%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 4.5
GIN MARE
GIN MARE >> e.g. available at MyTime *
HOW IT ARRIVES
Looks really classy in the conical glass bottle with the wave in the bottom. And the drink produced at CostDauradin Catalonia keeps what its appearance promises. It contains typical Mediterranean ingredients such as oranges, lemons and olives, plus herbs such as basil, thyme and rosemary, which are quite unusual for a gin. Gin experts have already decorated the product with several awards.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Full-bodied, fresh and so aromatic that it was almost too much for a few testers in the editorial office. These isolated critics finally added tonic water and were just as enthusiastic as the pure tasters. Strong stuff!
Price: approx. 24 euros
Info: 43%, 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 9.0
GIN SUL
GIN SUL >> e.g. available at MyTime *
HOW IT ARRIVES
In a shapely white clay bottle with an old Hamburg harbor ferry on it. The content is made from ingredients from Portugal (the name translates as "Gin of the South") in the Hamburg district of Alton as far as possible by hand.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Very mild and soft, whereby the defining lemony aroma is not lost. In combination, this ensures a subtle, pleasant freshness. It is a more classic gin that does without great experiments. An absolute premium product that works just as well with the well-known tonic as a long drink - of course.
Price: approx. 35 euros
Info: 43%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 9.0
HOOK SANTA PAULI
HOOK SANKT PAULI >> e.g. available at Urban Drinks *
HOW IT ARRIVES
At Hamburg's Reeperbahn, the crystal-clear hook was filled into a kind of oversized, transparent hip flask with a swing top. But it doesn't come from St. Pauli, it comes from the Eifel, and the ingredients come from many parts of Europe, from northern Germany to southern Spain and Italy. The oranges used even grew in the Caribbean. A multinational mix in an excellent taste combination.
HOW HE COMES OVER
The high alcohol content ensures a certain severity, but that is not the lasting impression, rather: a soft, light gin that can also be enjoyed straight.
Price: approx. 30 euros
Info: 44%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 7.9
KNUT HANSEN
KNUT HANSEN >> e.g. available at Urban Drinks *
HOW IT ARRIVES
Strong appearance: the Hamburg seaman Knut Hansen looks almost hypnotic with his bright blue eyes from the clay bottle, very successful design! The gin has been on the market since August 2017 and consists exclusively of ingredients from northern Germany.
HOW HE COMES OVER
As rich as it is sophisticated. So on the one hand strong and tart and at the same time fine, a complex taste experience. It works great on its own, even better with tonic.
Price: approx. 37 euros
Info: 42%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 8.2
LUV & LEE
LUV & LEE
HOW IT ARRIVES
Cylindrical glass bottle with a blue compass rose. This contains the product from Hamburg's oldest spirits factory. The manufacturer advertises the strong mixture with borrowings from Aquavit with the slogan "fresh wind in the glass": the motto is robust North German. The gin has won several awards at tastings.
HOW HE COMES OVER
It is difficult for our editors to join in the general cheers. They found the deliberately strong taste "exaggeratedly spicy", even when used in mixed drinks.
Price: approx. 40 euros
Info: 43%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 2.3
NORTH SEGIN
NORTH SEGIN >> e.g. available at Urban Drinks *
HOW IT ARRIVES
The long, white bottle with the silver print is stylish and elegant on the shelf. The gin makers come from the Sylt Skiclub Kampen, which is also active in the production of spirits. However, the "North SeGin" is produced in Dortmund. The base is not, as is usual, neutral alcohol, but the vodkaus from the same company.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Aromatic and gentle, pleasant in every way, without the one outstanding note. Pure okay, but not yet a sensation - that changes in the mix with tonic, which creates a kind of taste explosion. Excellent value for money.
Price: approx. 25 euros
Info: 40%, 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 8.4
PETER’S GIN DO MAR
PETER’S GIN DO MAR
HOW IT ARRIVES
Unadorned, downright boring in its presentation - this is one of the most famous gins in the world. It is the house drink of the "Peter Café Sport" in the Azores, probably the most famous sailing pub of all. It owes its golden yellow color to the addition of passion fruit - hence the addition "do mar". It has little to do with conventional gin, it is more of a gin and passion fruit liqueur. This year's delivery is out of stock at the importer, but it can be pre-ordered for 2019.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Very own taste, very fruity and sweet. A uniform judgment is therefore impossible - you like him very much or not at all.
Price: approx. 45 euros
Info: 40%, 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 7.1
PORTGIN
PORTGIN
HOW IT ARRIVES
Yes, a gin can also look like this: turquoise like a medical mouthwash. The color is caused by a Thai flower, one of 13 natural ingredients ("botanicals") from around the world. The gin is still relatively new on the market, but has already caused a sensation because of one special feature: When the turquoise content is mixed with tonic water, the color changes to pink.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Pure it is not necessarily a recommendation, it is too intense for that. Mixed but not only visually convincing!
Price: approx. 48 euros
Info: 43%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 6.3
RESCUE GIN
RESCUE GIN
HOW IT ARRIVES
Slightly conical, clear glass bottle with subtle stylized maritime elements on the label. The handmade organic gin from North Rhine-Westphalia - with 21 "Botanicals" and salt from Mallorca - has received several awards within the industry.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Good all-rounder with a balanced mixture of mildness and flavor. The ingredients are balanced in such a way that no single one beats all the others, while the gin tends to be fruity freshness and liveliness overall. It's nothing to kneel down on, but pleasantly gentle and calm.
Price: approx. 35 euros
Info: 42%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 5.5
SOS
SOS
HOW IT ARRIVES
Restrained, typographic-specific layout on a smoked glass bottle - that looks quite classy. The S. O. S. does not stand for an emergency signal here, but for "Spirit of Sylt", because this is where this gin was invented. However, it is produced in Bad Bevensen in Lower Saxony. A special and at the same time flavor-defining ingredient in the otherwise secret recipe is rose essence.
HOW HE COMES OVER
This essence gives the "S. O. S." Although it has a special note of its own, it also makes it a drink that will divide opinions. In any case, the tasting YACHT editors were not enthusiastic about the somewhat strict composition.
Price: approx. 38 euros
Info: 41%; 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 2.1
GRAIN
AVONTUUR SAILED GRAIN
AVONTUUR SAILED GRAIN
HOW IT ARRIVES
The times when grain was considered to be cheaper and, if in doubt, a spicy high-speed accelerator that tasted like fusel, are long gone - today, high-quality grain is a real treat. Accordingly, the golden yellow "Sailed Korn" comes in a wax-sealed bottle with stylized sails: simple and chic. The raw material was distilled in Haselünne in the Edelkorn distillery Rosche and then sailed across the Atlantic for five months in a red wine oak barrel.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Surprisingly mild, yet with a slightly tangy, smoky-malty note. Almost neutral in smell. Overall very pleasant.
Price: approx. 39 euros
Info: 35%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 8.2
SEA GRAIN
SEA GRAIN
HOW IT ARRIVES
The label needs space on the squat bottle because it shows exactly the history of the contents: on which shipper of the Rickmers-Reederei the Korn made its round-the-world trip after four years of storage, which course the ship took, from which batch and from which for the Transport used whiskey barrels the drink was bottled - all this can be read on the bottle. And the explanation of the entire procedure. In any case, at the end there is a light yellow schnapps that has little in common with the well-known grain.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Tastes very soft and very balanced, not in the least "bubbly". And that despite its comparatively strong bouquet.
Price: approx. 40 euros
Info: 38.5%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 8.7
RUM
AHOY ST. PAULI
AHOY ST. PAULI
HOW IT ARRIVES
Opaque. The classic black clay bottle with a swing top has one disadvantage when it is used on board: it stains. The original rum was heavily processed with spices on the Hamburg Reeperbahn. "Spiced spirit with rum" says the label, vanilla and caramel dominate.
HOW HE COMES OVER
First impression: man, is that cute! The rum aroma layer is overlaid with spices, which is in a way full of character and consistent, but you have to like it. "More like something for the women in the crew," said a YACHT tester spontaneously. Or to dilute for long drinks.
Price: approx. 25 euros
Info: 40%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 3.7
AVONTUUR KRAKEN 18 YEARS
AVONTUUR KRAKEN 18 YEARS
HOW IT ARRIVES
Clear bottle with a simple layout, sealed cork and amber-colored content. The Ron Alder first matured in Bourbon oak barrels in the Canary Islands for 18 years before being sailed across the Atlantic for five months in a red wine barrel. It is Rhum Agricole, made from fresh sugar cane juice and not industrially from molasses.
HOW HE COMES OVER
With its 54 percent, the rum is quite strong on its own, but still a pleasure. It increases significantly after adding a splash of water, then it opens properly - terrific!
Price: approx. 89 euros
Info: 54%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 9.3
AVONTUUR VOYAGE 3
AVONTUUR VOYAGE 3
HOW IT ARRIVES
The basis of this light, clear rum is again Aldea's Rhum Agricole, in this case matured for ten years in oak barrels on palm trees before it was fine-tuned on two Atlantic crossings with the gaff schooner "Avontuur". As with its 18-year-old counterpart, the visual appearance is also clear and subtle.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Very elegant, a delight for the palate. The rum does not have excessive warmth and force, but it is mild, soft and pleasantly light in taste. Very digestible.
Price: approx. 49 euros
Info: 42%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 8.7
HAMBURG HARBOR
HAMBURG HARBOR
HOW IT ARRIVES
Squat bottle with a reserved, drawn label. The Panama rum was stored for twelve years ("ExtrAñejo").
HOW HE COMES OVER
The "Hamburg Harbor" is intended to reflect essential goods that are handled in the Speicherstadt, and it does. As a result, a heavy chocolate taste (and smell) overshadows everything else. So clearly too sweet for the YACHT editorial staff. But it warms.
Price: approx. 35 euros
Info: 43%, 0.5 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 2.2
KRAKEN
KRAKEN >> e.g. available at Urban Drinks *
HOW IT ARRIVES
An extraordinary appearance: the bottle with the two handles has a lush label depicting a mythical sea monster that gave its name to the "Black Spiced Rum" from Trinidad and Tobago. The pitch black color of the drink is a result of the eleven spices that are added according to a secret recipe.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Pure at the limit of edibility, incredibly sweet with a tendency towards the gummy bear-like. Probably better suited for mixed drinks, at least that is what some hymn reviews suggest.
Price: approx. 20 euros
Info: 40%, 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 2.0
MEERMAID
MEERMAID >> e.g. available at Urban Drinks *
HOW IT ARRIVES
Chic black bottle with an elaborate illustration of a mermaid adored by a sailor. The white rum is made in Germany on the basis of raw materials from Jamaica and Trinidad with the addition of fruits and spices.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Tastes sweet and sticky like a heavily spicy ski hut drink. It doesn't work on its own and it failed unanimously with all testers in the editorial team without any additions. Must be mixed, for example with the rum sour or in other combinations.
Price: approx. 30 euros
Info: 40%; 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 1.6
PUSSER'S
PUSSER'S
HOW IT ARRIVES
Sturdy bottle with the British Navy's White Ensign on the label. This rum was served on board the British Navy for centuries; the daily rations did not end until July 31, 1970. The basis is a blend of six rums from Trinidad, Barbados and Guyana, the color is reddish brown.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Solid, rich rum. Tastes strong, spicy and round, but does not trigger any ecstasy in gourmets. Suitable for many purposes, wonderful for grog.
Price: approx. 22 euros
Info: 40%; 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 7.4
PYRATE
PYRAT >> e.g. available at Urban Drinks *
HOW IT ARRIVES
In our test range there is an unmistakable, bulbous, flat bottle that already suggests a noble content. A talisman from Zen Buddhism hangs around the neck of the bottle. The XO Reserve is a blend of 15 year old distillates from the Caribbean island of Anguillaus.
HOW HE COMES OVER
Very balanced, round taste, not in the slightest fuzzy, rather gentle and tasty and with a harmonious, somewhat heavy sweetness. A high-end rum that can be enjoyed on its own and also tastes mixed.
Price: approx. 29 euros
Info: 40%; 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 8.8
SAILOR JERRY
SAILOR JERRY >> e.g. available at Urban Drinks *
HOW IT ARRIVES
"Sailor Jerry" is actually called Norman Collins and was a US Marine and tattoo artist. That is why the rum bears the image of a Hawaiian beauty on the label, one of his favorite tattoo motifs. The drink from the Virgin Islands is "spiced" in a pleasant way.
HOW HE COMES OVER
None of the spices dominate penetratingly, on the contrary, they result in a balanced mixture. Excellent all-rounder that appeals to a wide audience, from pure drinkers to long drink fans.
Price: approx. 20 euros
Info: 40%; 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 8.7
TRES HOMBRES
TRES HOMBRES
HOW IT ARRIVES
Handy bottle with a handle on the neck and dark contents. It was sailed from the Dominican Republic in oak barrels to Holland and bottled there. The initiators converted an old cutter into a commercial sailing ship in 2000 and are considered pioneers of emission-free transport.
HOW HE COMES OVER
It tastes a little different every year due to slightly varying ripening conditions - the 2018 vintage is great: full-bodied, deep and powerful, yet pleasantly mild on the tongue. Together with the 18-year-old "Avontuur" the clear favorite of the editors.
Price: approx. 73 euros
Info: 42%; 0.7 liters
BORDBAR FACTOR: 9.6
MORE ON THE SUBJECT
IT'S GIN TIME
IT'S GIN TIME
Gin has become a real in-drink. In "It's Gin Time" the authors tell how it came about and provide exciting background stories about the juniper brandy. Price: 19.90 euros, www.delius-klasing.de
RUM - AN ATLAS OF DRUNKING STORIES
RUM - AN ATLAS OF DRUNKING STORIES
"Rum - an atlas of drunken stories" is a compendium of narrative texts from around the world about the popular sugar cane schnapps; in addition: anecdotes, facts, recipes. Price: 15.99 euros, www.delius-klasing.de
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