It's time for a change in my life, too.

Tin, I support your decision to change. I will continue by supporting 10 cane with lime, club soda, and a splash of Mexican Coke. I like my high qualty cuba libres just fine. Any woman greeting me with said drink gets my sincere attention and utmost admiration.

Elisabeth, if only I had met you during your drinking days. I know we would have been kindred spirits!

(pun intended)

Tin, I support your decision however you should just switch to Patron! IMO LOL

Oh the drama! How will Sapphire's White Knights respond to this blatant attack on Sapphire's good reputation?

Especially after slowmover's post:
Copied from http://themasticator.blogspot.com/20...lemon-sky.html

A discussion of the main character's preference for Plymouth gin and the how and why of the change to Plymouth gin in 1974.

Yes, this is a long post but because those who truly enjoy gin are typically not in a rush and so in taking their time to enjoy the martini or just the gin on the rocks, a long tale can be entertaining and somewhat interesting.

"Travis McGee in The Dreadful Lemon Sky

"There is something self-destructive about Western technology and distribution. Whenever any consumer object is so excellent that it attracts a devoted following, some of the slide rule and computer types come in on their twinkle toes and take over the store, and in a trice they figure out just how far they can cut quality and still increase the market penetration. Their reasoning is that it is idiotic to make and sell a hundred thousand units of something and make a profit of thirty cents a unit, when you can increase advertising, sell five million units, and make a nickel profit a unit. Thus the very good things of the world go down the drain, from honest turkey to honest eggs to honest tomatoes. And gin."
That rant was by Florida private detective Travis McGee in John D. McDonald's 16th McGee novel, The Dreadful Lemon Sky from 1974.

McGee was lamenting the fact that his favorite gin, Plymouth, was no longer distilled in the U.K., but in America. "It isn't the same," he complained. "It's still a pretty good gin but it is not a superb, stingingly dry, and lovely gin."

I'd never heard of the brand before until this year. If it was around in the U.K., it was obscure in America. Apparently a company called V&S Group bought 50% of Plymouth in 2000, and then acquired it outright in 2005. They relaunched the brand a year later, which is probably why I can find it in liquor stores today.

But this is exactly what cynical "slide rule and computer types" do with companies with histories as long as Plymouth's (it was started in 1793 by monks). When they see that a gin company or a French couture company or luggage maker has fallen on hard times, but still has the skeleton of a legacy, they buy it up, pour millions into an ad campaign and fire all the old staff. They cut corners in production and source cheaper materials to make room for bigger margins and astronomical marketing budgets so that a year or two later, you and I can suffer the pretty girl at a trendy club who refuses to drink any brand but this one and lets the bartender know that he is a fool for thinking that she'd take a rail gin with her cocktail.

Or, in corporate speak:
Plymouth Gin is over 200 years old and is re-establishing its reputation as the smoothest premium gin in the world. The objective of the re-launch is to transform an outstanding product into an outstanding brand.

Therefore we have reviewed the core marketing strategies, and created a new communication platform. A shift in focus took place and a new Brand Strategy was established. Consumer research was conducted to assess whether the current/previous Plymouth pack was in line with the new brand positioning. Namely, whether it communicated Plymouth’s premium position and smooth taste. Over 18 months of exhaustive qualitative and quantitative research involving hundreds of gin drinkers of all age and usage groups helped us to understand which elements of the old pack should remain but also what should change.

The company claims that they haven't strayed from the orignal 1793 recipe, and that:
"We only distil gin at our Black Friar’s Distillery in Plymouth and have done since 1793, making us the oldest working distillery in England. All the other famous English gins no longer distil in their original sites; indeed most are made in multi-purpose distilleries, which also distil other spirits and even other gin brands."

So was McGee mistaken? His specific complaint was that the gin was being bottled in America. Does that make such a big difference? I don't know. I like the gin because it's lighter on the juniper than Bombay, Tanqueray or Seagram's. It has a crisper flavor. But then I haven't had the gin bottled before 1974 to compare.


[The cover art for The Dreadful Lemon Sky above is by the great pulp illustrator Robert McGinnis, who also did most of the James Bond film posters. His most famous art maybe the poster for Breakfast at Tiffany's.]
POSTED BY THE MASTICATOR AT 11/11/20

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The author even detailed just how to make the "special" Travis McGee martini in another story:

John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee series has Travis favoring Plymouth gin. Here's his "McGee Special Martini" from PALE GRAY FOR GUILT, p.21.

*****************************

"...a familiar face was working the quiet and elegant bar, and he remembered The Drink, and seemed so pleased with himself in remembering, that we each had one, sitting and watching the deftness with silent and respectful attention. Two ample old-fashioned glasses, side by side, filled to the two thirds line with cracked ice. A big, unmeasured slosh of dry sherry into each glass. Then swiftly, the strainer placed across the top of one and then the other, as with a delicate snap of the wrist he dumped the sherry down the drain. Then fill to the ice level with Plymouth gin, rub the lemon peel around the inside of the rim, pinch some little floating beads of citrus oil on the surface of the drink, throw away the peel, present with small tidy bow and flourish to the folk. 'Two McGees,' said he."

---------------------------------
In the series, Travis switched to Boodles gin. Not sure how it ranks,

See, I'm not the only one that agonizes over these things.

Thanks for the entertaining read, Lazurus.

I have been contemplating this for some time. It's been a difficult decision, but one I've known for some time I've needed to make. I finally had to admit I've been in a rut, and after almost 20 years of doing the same thing it is time for a change. So here it is:

I'm switching from Bombay Sapphire to Hendrick's.

I hope this works out for me. And if it doesn't, I hope you all don't judge me too harshly if I go back to Sapphire.

Thanks to all my friends in supporting me with this decision. Originally Posted by TinMan

You have my support, Tinman. And Sapphire, sweetie, no worries luv! You will bounce back from this with glowing reviews from newbie gin drinkers who know nothing of this drama. Just keep doing what you do best and it will all fall out of the shaker.

ditch gin and go for vodka. Ciroc Originally Posted by Thatdude

Tito's!!! or my personal fave pinnacle whipped bc it mixes so well with my sugar free red bull.

It may be that my taste buds have been ruined by my willingness to sacrifice my principals and drink more vodka, mainly in my eagerness to get chicks drunk. Originally Posted by TinMan

Nothing to be ashamed about!

Tin, I support your decision to change. I will continue by supporting 10 cane with lime, club soda, and a splash of Mexican Coke. I like my high qualty cuba libres just fine. Any woman greeting me with said drink gets my sincere attention and utmost admiration. Originally Posted by bbtony

Noted

See, I'm not the only one that agonizes over these things.

Thanks for the entertaining read, Lazurus. Originally Posted by TinMan

You've got my head spinning over what to stock now....is there a cliffs notes to that???

Honey, you have my permission to stick with the Goose (or Tito's for that matter). It works

I like the goose and titos too. My SO loves them but she is with child. I'm a more simple man. I love my rum and cola, but prefer it costa rican style. Muddle the lime, add the ice, add quality rum, and soda, then a splash of cola (preferably with real sugar in it). Tin, I am willing to consume martinis with you and aid in your decision though. I can even list my favorite Dallas martinis, in no particular order. I'd lije to find one more great one by April.

My favorites tend to be manufactured by scantily-clad women who intend to have sex with me. They seem to taste better that way.

aLL tHAT TALK IS MAKING ME THIRSTY!! YUMMMMMM
YUMMMMMM!!!!!

That's interesting. Instead of Tanquerey, I ordered my usual with Sapphire last night. Don't know why, just felt like a change. Balance may yet be preserved.

My favorites tend to be manufactured by scantily-clad women who intend to have sex with me. They seem to taste better that way. Originally Posted by TinMan

The women or the drinks?

Actually, both.

I aspire to be manufactured...someday.

someday, self. someday. lol