Still Magic

Episode 10

Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast, your one-click audio stop for all things gin be it gin making, gin production, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking, gin steeping and everything else in between.

Today we take a magical mystery tour, evoking images of the middle east and wonderful lands of plenty. A journey like this is one to share.

The subject of today’s segment takes its name from a legendary port where every 3 years King Solomon would receive gold, ivory, pearls, sandalwood, and silver

The original visionary for today’s gin is none other than Thomas Dakin, regarded as the forefather of quality English Gin; and oft described as the original “ginnovator”

In 1761 he bought a property on Bridge St in Warrington, located in County Cheshire equidistant from Liverpool to the East and Manchester to the West.

The Dakin family later sold the business to none other than Gilbert and John Greenall; yes, the founders of the Greenall’s Gin brand 

Fast forward some 250 years – and 7 master distillers later – let’s consider today’s gin

It was designed with the ancient spice route in mind – taking in cubeb from Malaysia, pepper cardamom and ginger from India, cumin from Turkey, coriander from Morocco, bitter orange from Spain. Angelica from Germany and juniper of course from its traditional stronghold in the Mediterranean.

The gin’s creator was inspired by visits to these places, keeping an image of the spice markets in mind whilst deciding which spices and botanicals to include; What. A . Fantastic. Calling, I;n sure you'll agree.

The hope and intent is that the gin will remind people of the very same vibrant aromas, tastes, noises and colours of these exotic spice markets, from an important time in history.

With a backstory like that, If ever there was a gin whose values demonstrate heritage, guardianship and legacy, it’s this one.

I’m thrilled and delighted to say that we have one of the many superb gins crafted by Joanne Moore, the architect behind Bloom, Berkeley Square London Dry and Thomas Dakin. 

Joanne is the 7th master distiller since 1761 and one of the first female master distillers in the world.

Today, it's time to showcase one of Joanne Moore's finest.

Ophir Oriental Spiced London Dry Gin

https://opihr.com/

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor: @alexiepigot

Guest contributors: @nisholay, @antipodeanharpie

Episode 9 - Legacy

Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast, your one-click audio stop for all things gin be it gin making, gin production, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking, gin steeping and everything else in between.

This is a story of Australian produce worth sharing.

Today we take a trip to Australia’s most populated city, and travel to the suburb of St Leonards, located at the southern end of Sydney’s north shore.

And it is there that we chat with Georgia Conn and Kyle Ford. 

Partners in business and the game of life, each will share their insights concerning their interest in gin, it's place in Australia’s craft gin movement and their decision to take on that most noble of challenges; to take a gin concept and turn that into a commercial reality.

Hailing from Victoria, Georgia's family moved north to New South Wales, settling in Berowra, where Georgia spent her formative years with her younger sister and brother. Sport and a vast array of 'when-I-grow-up' interest ranging from acting to building – complete with a tool belt as a birthday present – punctuated 10 year old Georgia’s ambitions. Finally, it’s now hammer time for Georgia Conn.

A former defence serviceman with the Australian Air Force, Kyle’s hometown is Gloucester, located in rural New South Wales, approximately 3 hours drive north of Sydney. 

Kyle cites his cousin’s career in the navy, as influencing a decision to craft his secondary education toward the military. His near 10 years of serving his country, comprised a vast array of career highlights, culminating in a raft of practical skills, and enduring mateship.

Though from contrasting backgrounds, both Georgia and Kyle shared a love of travel; an outlet that each of them pursued with great gusto before they first met. 

And so it was, at an unremarkable transport stop in Prague, where Georgia and her younger sister had run to meet a bus. Seated and breathless, they were somewhat annoyed to see, that despite running as if their lives were at stake, they were going nowhere fast for around 20 minutes. 

Turns out they were awaiting a wayward passenger to fulfil boarding formalities – a happy go lucky “boy from the bush” named Kyle Ford – before they could set off.

This chance encounter triggered off a series of European adventures together, a return to Australia, and a 2 year odyssey to find ‘it’. This search would manifest itself as Finders Distillery.

Their story is proof positive that energy, desire, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn will get you there.

This is Georgia and Kyle's story

https://www.findersdistillery.com/

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor:@alexipigot

Episode 6

The Still Magic approach considers the following key principles which will help all budding gin makers

• less is more
• simplicity is best
• there is neither a right nor wrong answer; there is only the best answer

Releasing "your" gin at scale requires skills in decision-making, investigation, sampling, testing, improvements and launching. Each of these skills describe the DISTIL framework, and each step has a key question to answer.

This episode describes a tried and trusted way to tackle the challenge and to set yourself up for success.

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor:@alexiepigot

Episode 4

Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast, your one-click audio stop for all things gin be it gin making, gin production, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking, gin steeping and everything else in between.

This episode provides a closer look at the 1st of the 3 Bs; Botanicals, but more specifically the role that juniper berries play in all gin making. 

Botanicals is the term used to describe the plant-based flavour sources in all gin. All gin must contain juniper to fit the product definition. In this podcast you’ll learn that Juniper possesses a vast array of compounds (called terpenes) whose taste and aroma characteristics range from lemon to nutmeg.

But juniper on its own does not result in gin as this podcast will demonstrate; in gin there is no such thing as a ‘one-man-band’. Distillers over the years have created a reference library for supporting botanicals, grouping them by their respective taste and aroma characteristics. 

Recognising this, provides distillers with the opportunity to select supporting botanicals that can enhance the characteristics that juniper has to offer. Season 1 Episode 5 examines the role that the supporting botanicals play when creating Bases with juniper.

To help reinforce this approach and concept, the podcast explores the similarities between two musical trios, from different eras, influenced by different musical forces prevalent at the time.

There is a big 4 of Classical music, a big 4 of metal and even a big 4 (or 5) of gin botanicals, often described as a canon. The musical references started a long time ago and are still valuable today.

Gin reflects ‘the times’, beginning with the head days of 18th century Gin Lane and a city awash with gin, to the measured and selective approach that prevails today via the #drinkbetter ethos. 

Music has undergone a similar journey, albeit far lengthier and more culturally pervasive. Gin making and music making start with getting the basics right.

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor:@alexiepigot

Episode 3

Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast, your one-click audio stop for all things gin be it gin making, gin production, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking, gin steeping and everything else in between.

This episode provides an overview of gin’s building blocks; the 3Bs

• Botanicals
• Bases
• Blending

The term "Botanicals" describes the plant-based flavour sources in all gin. All gin must contain juniper to fit the product definition. But juniper on its own does not result in gin as this podcast will demonstrate. This overview provides the lead-in to Episode 4 Botancials, Berries and Bands

Bases describes a collection of botanicals in alcohol, which provide the starting point for all gin creation. Listeners will learn about the big 5 botanicals and how these have stood the test of time for centuries on end. In a digital world with real-time connectedness and access to information, it is remarkable to see that 5 botanicals have formed a gin canon, which distillers the world over are still putting to use today. Find out more about Bases in Episode 5 Botanicals Bases and Blending

Blending refers to a simple concept. Take two or more similar things and mix them together to create a new product or outcome. In a gin making context, these two things are water and alcohol. 

The alcohol however has a few ‘favourite flavour friends’ along for the ride too. These friends are naturally occurring botanical compounds called terpenes, providing a level of complexity to the blending process. 

This complexity forces distillers to treat water and it use, with both respect and restraint. There’s a lot more to blending, and the role water plays, than first impressions would suggest. 

Episode 5 Botanicals Bases and Blending provides more insights, including the connection between two seemingly unrelated project challenges; constructing the mighty Hoover Dam and using water to reduce alcoholic strength in spirits making.

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor:@alexiepigot

Episode 7

Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast, your one-click audio stop for all things gin be it gin making, gin production, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking, gin steeping and everything else in between.

Season 1 comprised a collection of short podcasts, introducing the fundamental principles behind the Still Magic way

1. Still Magic – Foreword & Introduction
2. Gin as a global phenomenon
3. Gin’s Building Blocks – The 3Bs
4. Botanicals Berries and Bands
5. Botanicals Bases and Blending
6. The DISTIL process - Let's do it!

Season 2 builds on Season 1 by assessing some of the world’s finest gins and gaining rare insights from craft distillers in far flung corners of the globe.

Stay tuned for episodes of:

• What Makes a Great Gin, and
• The Distillers’ Voice

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor:@alexiepigot

Episode 5

Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast, your one-click audio stop for all things gin be it gin making, gin production, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking, gin steeping and everything else in between.

In this episode we consider the 3rd of the 3 Bs; Blending.

Blending is a seemingly simple concept; take two or more similar things and mix them together. However, what may appear to be a simple concept in principle, does not mean it is easy to do. For example, bronze is a mixture of two similar metals; copper and tin. Somehow modifying these two metals to create a new product, is no mean feat but at its simplest, it is merely the mixing of two similar things. The creation of mayonnaise, fireworks that burst into colour, meringues, mushroom sauce and grey paint are everyday examples of products that needed blending principles in place, to create them.

This podcast explores blending when conducted in spirits manufacturing in general, with a focus upon gin. You will receive insights concerning the following terms and their relevance to the blending process. It may appear a little technical at first sight, but the intent is to explain the terms using simple examples along the way

• Water. It’s chemical structure and properties
• Azeotrope. Why this is the key to all magic that takes place during the distillation process
• Colligative properties. How simple additives can change freezing points and boiling points
• Reduction. Adding water to alcohol, and why it must take place in stages (the 50% rule)
• Marrying. The process water and alcohol undergo as they combine into a coherent whole
• Fortification. Adding alcohol to increase strength
• Jigger. A simple device that helps measure 2 different liquid quantities quickly
• Hydrogen bonding. The reason why water and alcohol heat up during reduction processes
• Obscuration. The difference between actual strength and apparent strength
• Professional analysis. Why this is an excellent investment for measuring strength

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor:@alexiepigot

Episode 8

Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast, your one-click audio stop for all things gin be it gin making, gin production, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking, gin steeping and everything else in between.

In this episode I explore the premise behind "What Makes a Great Gin" and my efforts in developing a fair and objective way to describe what this means.

This is a goal I would struggle to achieve by myself. Every magician needs an assistant so you will meet one of Still Magic's most ginthusiastic supporters, affectionately known as The Antipodean Harpie.

We put two of Britain's finest through their paces, illustrating where the contemporary meets the traditional;

Tanqueray London Dry Gin (since 1830)

https://www.tanqueray.com/gins/london-dry-gin/

William Chase GB (since 2006)

https://chasedistillery.co.uk/spirits/gin/

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor: @alexiepigot

Guest contributor:@antipodeanharpie

Episode 2

Welcome to the Still Magic Podcast, your one-click audio stop for all things gin be it gin making, gin production, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking, gin steeping and everything else in between.

Gin's modern look stems from 300 year old ancestry, with its popularity reaching levels unseen since 17th century London.

This podcast provides an overview of gin’s remarkable resurgence into the global phenomenon, it is today. We explore a timeline of connected events that spans alchemists in 300 AD, 13th century Benedictine monks, 17th century European warfare, 18th century London as a gin capital, late 18th century and early 19th century gin giants, and the advent of the Internet in the latter part of the 20th century.

There are references to dutch courage, William of Orange seizing control of the British throne and how a series of events, led to a city awash with gin and how it’s sad and awful social consequences led to the origin of the term mother's ruin.

There is another timeline of events which explores the health benefits of gin consumption including the collection of herbal tinctures developed by 13th century Dutch enthusiasts, British Navy practices to ward off scurvy, delivering quinine to British soldiers stationed in India, via gin and tonic as a defense against malaria, and a recent publication that provides some hope for hay fever sufferers who may need help choosing the best tipple.

The podcast rounds out by considering a lineup of the world's most enduring gin brands and how some of today's modern expressions are built on #heritage to produce a #legacy for generations to come. The original ginnovators at Greenalls, Plymouth, Gordon's, Tanqueray and Beefeater would no doubt be delighted to see how the gin world has changed for the better.

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor:@alexiepigot

Episode 1

Still Magic Season 1 describes how gin making is far more accessible than people would first consider.

This episode references the Foreword and Introduction to the book Still Magic - A gin distiller's guide for beginners.

This includes an 'early days' overview of the Four Pillars story as described by founder and distiller, Cameron Mackenzie. Four Pillars received the International Wines and Spirits Competition's highest honour, recognised as the world's best gin business in 2019, a mere 6 years after starting out.

The original premise behind writing and publishing Still Magic, was recognising that ‘something was missing’ from the gin narrative. Although there is lots of information generously provided by gin enthusiasts, bloggers, cocktail aficionados, bar tenders, sales and marketing people, advertisers, historians, and entertainers, it was puzzling to see that a distiller hadn’t published a book for beginners. 

What had originally started out as a fanciful idea to write a book ‘some day’, became an exercise beyond authorship and one with a renewed sense of purpose.

The goals of the Still Magic podcast seasons to come, are to consider some of the finest distilled products available, and to give their producers an enduring voice.

Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative.

Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores

https://www.amazon.com/Still-Magic-distillers-guide-beginners-ebook/dp/B07QZ4VFRV/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=still+magic&qid=1596545333&sr=8-1

Narrator: Dave Stokes

https://author2audio.com

Narrator: Marcel Thompson

@stillmagicway

Editor:@alexiepigot