Online gin ‘encyclopaedia’ readies to launch

A comprehensive online “encyclopaedia” of gins is set to launch later this year featuring more than 1,600 different expressions.

The Gin Archive will be an online “encyclopaedia” when it launches later in 2016

Curated by John Roberts of Wight International and gin expert David T. Smith of Summer Fruit Cup, the Gin Archive will cover gins from more than 50 countries, including rare samples such as Cambridge Distillers’ Watenshi Gin.

Furthermore, to celebrate World Gin Day on 11 June the Gin Archive has released its Gin List – a catalogue of more than 1,500 gins, including details on their country of distillation and abv strength.

The website, which can be found at www.ginarchive.com, will initially focus on UK distilled gins before branching into global brands.

Smith said: “With the exciting rise of new gins across the world it can be difficult to keep track; gone are the days that gin launches were limited to a few a year.

“Hopefully the gin list will help gin lovers all over the world to discover new favourites.”

Supported by the Wight International Gin Collection, the archives will include different styles of gin from London Dry and Old Tom to genever, navy strength and sloe varieties.

“As David says, the variety of available gins is continuing to grow enormously all over the globe – not only in numbers but also in types, use of rare and unusual botanicals, base spirits and methods of distillation,” said John Roberts, of Wight International.

“Hopefully with our growing collection and David’s expertise the archive will provide a useful reference for both amateurs and professionals in the gin world.”