Matthew Steeples suggests readers avoid ‘Veganuary’ and instead take up ‘Ginuary’ this month
‘Veganuary’ is all the rage at the moment. Articles about it abound and the blessed pest, the-ex-she turned somebody-of-undefined sex (‘Gender X’ or whatever ‘it’ is now), Jack Monroe was even given a slot to bang on about it on Radio 4’s Today programme yesterday.
Thankfully put in her place by another contributor – who announced: “You would be promoting it wouldn’t you, Jack? You write vegan books and you just want to sell them” – Monroe’s desire to convert us all to ‘Veganuary’ is not something The Steeple Times will be endorsing.
Instead, as was reported on in The Times ‘Diary’ column this morning, I today urge our readers to take up ‘Ginuary.’ Here, in fact, is something that is “the antithesis of Dry January” and here is something that gin lovers everywhere can do that will actually be enjoyable.
May the gin flow in your household this month (and every month beyond). Cheers!
My favourite gins:
No. 3 – The creation of Berry Bros. & Rudd in conjunction with Dr David Clutton, the only person to hold a PhD in gin, No. 3 gin (46% ABV) is piney and powerful. My all-time favourite everyday luxury. £35 per bottle at Waitrose.
Beefeater – As someone who isn’t a fan of Bombay Sapphire or the especially weak (37.5%) Gordon’s, my daily ‘go to’ gin has to be Beefeater (40% ABV). Great value and interestingly made originally in Cale Street, Chelsea, SW3. £18 per bottle at Waitrose.
Gilpin’s – The ‘Westmorland Extra Dry’ (47% ABV) is an especially fresh gin and has notes of bitter Seville orange. If you fancy something even strong (and want something particularly suitable for a martini perhaps) try the ‘Navy Strength’ (54.5% ABV). Gilpin’s is made from water from Cartmel in Cumbria and is priced at £36.64 for the ‘Westmorland’ and £42 per bottle for the ‘Navy’ from Master of Malt.
Martin Miller’s – The creation of my friend, the late great Martin Miller, whom also came up with Miller’s Antiques Guides. I particularly recommend the ‘Westbourne Strength,’ which at 45.2% ABV is stronger than the standard 40% and has spicier notes. £27 per bottle at Waitrose.
#Ginuary
Facebook: @TheSteepleTimes
Instagram: @TheSteepleTimes
Twitter: @SteepleTimes
I actually like Gordon’s but I might give some of the others a go when my pension allows.
I also like Gin Mare and Portobello Road. I don’t like Brockman’s Gin or Hendrick’s – they are flavoured vodkas.
No problem drinking to Ginuary.
Hawthorn’s is also a v good LONDON Dry Gin
Loch Ness Spirits. Hand-crafted, small batch gins, from one of the last remaining juniper crops in Britain. http://wearelochness.com. Let me know what you think, Matthew.