London Gin, the quintessential British drink, has at last been recognized as a special quality beverage by the European Union. The revised EU Spirit Drink definitions, which became law recently, list the definition of London Distilled Gin for the first time. This definition will help maintain London Gin’s heritage and high standards of production and protect the drink from counterfeit products. Edwin Atkinson, the Director General of the Gin and Vodka Association, stated, "We aim to spread the definition around the world so that London Gin is recognized for the very special, high quality spirit drink that it is."

Beefeater Gin, the only major gin brand still distilled in London, has developed a 15-strong fleet of the capital’s iconic black cabs liveried in its eye-catching Forever London advertising to further raise awareness of the brand’s authentic London provenance. The Beefeater black cabs will operate out of London Heathrow and Central London until November 2008. Nick Blacknell, Brand Director for Beefeater, explains: “Black cabs are such a globally recognized London feature that it is logical to showcase our advertising in this way with a visual representation of Beefeater’s traditional heritage and its place in contemporary London”.

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The London Gin has had a successful few weeks with listings achieved at some of London’s coolest bars like Kenza, Christopher’s Martini Bar, Light Bar (St Martin’s Lane Hotel) and Beach Blanket Babylon. It’s also now available at Drinkon.com

The London Gin has had a successful few weeks with listings achieved at some of London’s coolest bars like Kenza, Christopher’s Martini Bar, Light Bar (St Martin’s Lane Hotel) and Beach Blanket Babylon. It’s also now available at Drinkon.com – just click on the link to the right to order. Check out Drinks Business TV to see Andrew Sinclair of Gonzalez Byass and other movers and shakers on the gin scene discussing what’s new in Gin Trends 2008 - www.drinksbusinesstv.com

Here’s a virtual treasure trove for Plymouth Gin lovers and collectors of gin miscellany. Plymouth Gin Collectables sells a wide variety of the Plymouth Gin promotional items made by the company over the years.

Visit www.plymouthgincollectables.co.uk for everything from pottery jugs to lighters, martini glasses to toy vans, miniature bottles to match strikers, ashtrays to cocktail shakers. Every home should have a Gurgling Jug.

Yesterday’s fire at the historic Plymouth Gin Distillery in Plymouth’s Southside Street has mercifully left the 500 year old distillery building intact. The blaze broke out in the ducting system of the kitchen of the Barbican Kitchen Brasserie, run by celebrity chefs James and Chris Tanner, which has been severely damaged. The good news however is that that the pot still and general production facility as well as the oldest part of the building, The Refectory, is undamaged and remains operational. The Black Friars Distillery is the oldest working distillery in the country and the Refectory dates back to the 15th century. It is reputed to be the place where the Pilgrim Fathers spent their last night before sailing for the New World on the Mayflower. This is the second time in Plymouth Gin’s history that the distillery has been saved from fire (the first time was during World War 2 when it was hit by German bombs). Whew, let’s raise a glass of Plymouth Gin to Plymouth Gin!

It’s been a busy time for The London Gin having just been awarded the prestigious gold medal in the Wine & Spirit magazine Design & Packaging Awards 2008. It was also the star of the show at the exclusive Madrid Fusion event in Spain, where a bespoke bar served and sampled hundreds of key journalists, buyers and enthusiasts from the world of fine food and drink. The signature cocktail, the “Passion Fruit and London Gin Sour” went down a storm!

It’s also grabbing lots of attention in London with new listings at The Establishment in Parsons Green, Match Bar in Clerkenwell, the Soho Hotel, Pinchito in Shoreditch, The Chesterfield in Mayfair, Donovan Bar at Browns Hotel (Mayfair) and One Great George Street in Westminster. In addition, our favourite shop Gerry’s of Soho now stock The London Gin in store and online.