7 Things You Didn’t Know About Gin

7 things you didn't know about gin

7 things you didn't know about gin

7 things you didn't know about gin
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A must read for every gin enthusiast
7 Things You Didn’t Know About Gin

In case you didn’t know, it’s World Gin Day this Saturday! And even though in Victoria, we really can’t celebrate at the fabulous Fossey’s Distillery, it certainly warrants a few tipples…well then again, as if we needed an excuse! 

There’s really nothing much better than kicking back with a few friends, laughing & conversing over a few G&T’s. This Saturday, I know I won’t be holding back & just may put away a number of Broken Heel Gin’s with Fever Tree Tonic! (If you have not tasted Broken Heel, you really are missing out) I daresay I may have a sore head on Sunday to show for my celebratory drinks but nothing that can’t be fixed with a hearty breakfast and possibly a couple of Panadols or even another gin. But shh…better not to think of that at this point. Focus on the Fossey’s fun to be had first and foremost!

Y’all know I hadn’t given much thought to gin before I started working for Fossey’s but since landing my dream job (I am not even joking) I have come to learn quite a bit about our fabulous elixir and I reckon these are 7 things you didn’t know about gin! See how many of this list you already knew.

1. What is “Dutch Courage”?

You have most likely heard the term “Dutch Courage”? But do you know where it originated? Well, gin is actually well-known for its calming effects. During the Thirty Years War the Dutch army was apparently aware of this side-effect, because they were known to ration portions to their soldiers prior to battle to calm their nerves. It is said that the English army caught wind of this habit, and was amused to see the difference in the Dutch after having their rations! Contrary to popular opinion, it was the Dutch, not the English, who first made gin!

Nowadays, everybody knows the British are its biggest fans but the juniper-led spirit originated from Holland and was brought to England in the early 1600’s by British soldiers after the aforementioned war!

2. Gin can be and was, used for medicinal purposes!

As far back as 1269, was the first major mention of juniper-based health-related tonics when they appeared in a Dutch publication. Ever since, gin has had a history of being used “for medicinal purposes.” The Royal Navy mixed gin with lime cordial to stop scurvy, and angostura settled the stomach at sea. Tonic water with quinine was anti-malarial, giving them a great excuse to drink more gin and tonics. And can you believe, In India, Gin was used to make tonic water and cinchona mixture, a more palatable taste to combat malaria? Then in the 17th century, it was prescribed by doctors & readily available in European chemists. It was used to treat everything from kidney infections to stomach issues! You won’t believe that gin even became so popular it was found on every street corner in England! (Source)

3. Junipers are loaded with antioxidants

Although Juniper is a seed, it is nearly identical to a blueberry. And just like blueberries, junipers are loaded with antioxidants. The bitter seed is effective in fighting infection, aiding digestion, and relieving bloating. You see? Now it makes sense that gin is considered medicinal! (Source)

4. Which movie is the line “Shaken, not stirred” from? 

You guessed it! Thanks goes to the James Bond movie franchise, the martini became the most sought-after cocktail, made from a mixture of gin and dry vermouth. Thank you, 007!

5. Fire-water? Ah..literally?

Does the term “Navy strength” ring a bell? It is definitely the clear favourite of Fossey’s head distiller, Steve Timmis and gin-credibly talented distiller, Tash. But besides loving a great tipple, legend has it the Navy used gunpowder to ensure the gin they were receiving was high quality. The gin would be poured onto gunpowder, and the strength confirmed by seeing how well it lit. Talk about being super serious about the strength of your gin!

6. Gin is to thank for Dr. Suess! 

Did you know that gin is responsible for the pen name of beloved children’s “Cat in the Hat” author Dr. Suess? He was actually born, Theodor Suess Geisel & as a young man he was editor of a campus newspaper during his years at Dartmouth University. Tragically, or as it turned out, not so tragically, he was fired from his role after being caught smuggling GIN into his dorm room in 1925 (peak prohibition days). Determined to continue writing, he submitted all of his articles using just the name “Suess,” and later added “Dr.” to the beginning. (Source)

7. And my favourite one…Gin is not a depressant but aids weight loss.

Yep you read right! A Latvian study by researchers from the Sigulda University (sounds legit) found G&T boosts our body’s ability to burn calories for one hour after drinking it. Another gin-teresting fact is antioxidant-rich juniper speed up your metabolism. Doesn’t that gin-formation just make you want you to stock up and drink up – all in the name of good health & fitting into your jeans?

There you have it, folks. 7 things you didn’t know about gin. Now you know these fun facts about gin, I am sure you will feel a lot better about getting stuck into 1 or 2…or 7. Whatever…who’s counting, right? After all, it is World Gin Day!

Bottoms up & chin chin, gin lovers!

Until next time,

Fossey’s Ginspired Blogger Girl

Narelle

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The Tale of Fossey’s

Steve Timmis standing in the Fossey's Distillery

the Fascinating tale of fossey's

Steve Timmis standing in the Fossey's Distillery
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 Where it all started

Fingers crossed the Distillery will be open again soon! We are all looking forward to it. But, until it does and we get to socialise together, I am going to tell you the tale of the fascinating tale of Fossey’s history & how it all started!

Grab a G&T, make yourself comfortable and relax into the story how Mildura got it’s very own Distillery…

The Fossey name was married into the family in the early 1900’s and as was tradition then, it was given as the middle name to the first-born son John Fossey, known to everyone as “Foss”.

A name that stood out, those who have it as their own have been of creative mind. Of pioneering spirit. Of being eloquently misunderstood and proudly so.

Fossey’s have lived by principles and ideologies that have been passed down through generations and become known as Fosseylosophies which we have based our Fossey’s Gin business principles on.

Bite off more than you can chew, then chew like crazy.

Foss’s Grandmother, who he never met, raised 6 children alone, while running a pub in Ludlow, the area where our Fossey’s Gin Juniper berries come from. One son, Albert, migrated to Australia and married Elsie Vera. Small
in stature but big in spirit nothing would faze her. Bringing up 4 children (one of them Foss) in Koorlong before established roads and power, Elsie rolled up her sleeves and got on with the job. Growing up in the sticks, Foss thought the best things he had ever seen were running water and knives with a serrated edge. Were these the things to ginspire big ideas and Fosseylosophies?

Who knows? His execution of big ideas could be somewhat erratic at times and misguided at best, but Foss was an original entrepreneur. Pioneering land well outside of Mildura and of otherwise no use, Foss went on to create something that is still an icon of Mildura today –Timmis Speedway.

Not stopping there, along with his young family, Foss farmed a property in Mourquong. Growing fresh fruit still to this day, this particular block is where our Fossey’s Original Gin Elixir bergamot oranges and tangelo’s are grown.

But how does Foss fit in with Fossey’s Gin?

Father to our Master Ginnovator, we are bought to the present day where the pioneering spirit and big ideas are as strong as ever, only perhaps with a slightly more straight forward strategy to implementation, the fundamentals of Fosseylosophies live on in our approach to developing something truly unique.

Why gin? Why not?

It encompasses everything we want to represent.
First class second to none products.
Creative interpretation of, well, everything.
Good fun, good times, good friends, good drink.
Big ideas in a small space with a deadline of yesterday.

And family.

This fascinating tale of Fossey’s was originally written by Cherie Gowers – Manager of Fossey’s Distillery and daughter of the Head Ginnovator, Steve Timmis

Next time we meet, I hope I have good news we can all catch up for a drink in the Distillery because it’s open again. 

Chin chin & have a great week! 

Gin-Spired Blogger Girl

More to explore

Fossey’s at Sipafrolic 2023!

Fossey’s are super excited to be part of the Sipafrolic event debuting March 3rd-5th 2023 at North Melbourne’s iconic Meat Market venue! TICKETS NOW