Poland Spring London Dry Gin is 40% abv. / 80 proof and is prepared and bottled in Maine, just like the water. I saw a big 1.75 liter bottle of this on a store shelf and came to an abrupt halt. Poland Spring Gin? I just had to grab a bottle and try it out. But somehow the unopened bottle got lost over time, in the back of a bottom shelf of my spirits library (I have several six foot high bookshelves loaded with hundreds of bottles of various spirits and liqueurs, next to the even more books in my library/office.) So today I was going through my bottles that are waiting to be reviewed and saw the jug sitting there in hiding. I pulled it out and started to do some research.I read in an article that Poland Spring water was first bottled back over 150 years ago and was something of a trend setter. Selling bottled water was almost unheard of, and there were very few companies doing so. After Prohibition ended, Lawrence & Co. of Boston made Poland Spring Gin, Sloe Gin, and Whiskey using Poland Spring water and bottled them in decorative bottles called Moses bottles.
Nowadays I don't know if Poland Spring Gin actually uses Poland Spring water or not. There was absolutely no information of any kind on the label. As a matter of fact, in general I could find very little current information, except that it seems that it may be possibly made at the White Rock Distilleries in Lewiston, Maine. Also the word is that many folks out there consider it a step above rubbing alcohol and claim it gives killer hangovers. I have only seen it sold in 1.75 liter jugs, which is a strong indicator that it's a pretty low level gin.
The aroma started out as pretty much straight alcohol with some pine to it. As it opened up I got some hints of citrus and woody notes, and more complex scents here and there, which surprised me since I wasn't expecting any. All in all the aroma was decent, but nothing much to it and as more time went on I discerned some off notes that smelled woody, but not in a pleasant way.
The taste is light and slightly sharp, with not much ginni-ness to it. (I know that's not a word.) After a few minuscule sips I decided that it wasn't worth it to drink any more, I just wasn't in the mood to punish myself, and I relegated the bottle back down to the depths of the library where it can stay in hiding indefinitely. If anyone has any additional information about this ghastly stuff I would love to hear.
Second Helping of Slashfood - June 19
Competitive-Eating Contest to Pit Humans Against Elephants
The Backyard Boom - The Hungry Bride
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-29-2007 @ 8:00PM
Jessica said...
Baaaaaad, bad memories of Poland Spring vodka & college.
Reply
7-29-2007 @ 8:50PM
Brian said...
it may be possibly made at the White Rock Distilleries in Lewiston, Maine.
'Nuff said. I wouldn't drink ANYTHING made in Lewiston
Reply
7-30-2007 @ 1:39PM
winebot said...
i believe poland spring has actually been dry for years.
the poland spring that you drink is actually on par with lightly filtered tap water,
which would probably mean poland spring gin is made from dirty mountain runoff.
jk. but seriously, any alcohol that comes in a plastic "handle" has got to be pretty bad.
Reply