Hendricks Grand Cabaret Gin

Hendrick's Grand Cabaret is a 41.4% ABV gin from the Girvan distillery in Scotland. It's a cucumber-and-rose house with a deliberately theatrical streak, and the "cabaret" name points to a bolder, more dramatic take on the Hendrick's style than a standard bottling. The details supplied don't include a botanical list or official tasting notes, so what follows is what to expect from the house and the way gins in this contemporary style behave. It isn't a measured profile of this specific bottle. Hendrick's sits firmly in the contemporary camp rather than the juniper-forward London dry tradition. Juniper is present but not the lead voice. Expect a softer, more floral and garden-fresh character, with the cucumber and rose notes the brand is known for, and a rounder, gentler finish than a piercing, piney dry gin. That profile suits people who find classic London dry too resinous, and it gives bartenders room to build drinks around freshness and aroma rather than pine bite. In a Gin & Tonic it should shine. Use a good, restrained tonic so the floral and vegetal notes aren't buried, and avoid heavily sweetened or strongly flavored mixers. Serve it in a balloon glass or a tall highball filled with plenty of large, clear ice, using roughly one part gin to two or three parts tonic. A ribbon of cucumber is the natural garnish for this style, and a thin slice of lime or a sprig of mint also works. A Tom Collins, with lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda over ice, plays well to the gin's freshness and makes a lighter, more aromatic long drink. For stirred drinks, a Martini made with a dry vermouth and a lemon twist lets the floral side come forward, and it benefits from a well-chilled glass and a short, cold stir. A Negroni is a fair test, since softer gins can sit back behind Campari and sweet vermouth. Use a slightly higher gin ratio, or an orange peel to tie the aromatics together, if you want the gin to stay audible. Keep the bottle in the cool and pour over ice or into pre-chilled glassware to keep the delicate aromatics intact.