Martinis

This seemed to be an essential category for this group. Besides the evident Ian Fleming and the infamous James Bond, I thought I'd start this thread with a lovely little book called Aerobleu Martini Diaries by Leslie Ann Nash - delightful with its quirky recipes and humour. Looking forward to more martini lore and discoveries - it's my favorite drink!

Oops sorry for duplicating an older thread. Guess it needed reviving!

I like a gin martini with olives. Daring, I know. I recently had one that was just the tiniest bit sweet - and it was good. What was that? Sweet vermouth? Anyone?

If it was sweet, it could just have boon more dry vermouth than you are used to. Even dry vermouth can make a martini taste sweet.

thanks for the reply!

Winston Churchill described a good martini as one in which the bottle of vermouth had been waved over the gin. Such a martini is very dry.

I like me a Bombay Sapphire martini myself. Up. Two bleu-cheese olives. Make it a double, with some linguini and filet mignon. Yeaahhh.

I loved Tanqueray and it was my favorite gin until they started that snooty ass, rather stupid (reminds me of what brewers think of their customers) advertising campaign. Now, every time I see a bottle of Tanqueray I see that fop. I've switched to Bombay Sapphire when I drink gin, which isn't often, anymore. I've developed a real liking for Maker's Mark. Also, I find a single glass of Lucid absinthe gives me the best alcoholic buzz and tastes gooooooood.

9: agreed. Tanqueray was my favorite until the ad campaign turned me off. Beefeater came highly recommended, but it has a weird aftertaste. Bombay is all right, but it has always slightly disappointed me. Lately I have been drinking Quintessential. Anybody found something better?

Aviation? Bend distillery in Oregon offers a nice clean gin and a very herbal/junipery gin. I don't know how widely available they are. The strong junipery gin tastes good but it is NOT good for a martini!

Best holiday ever: Minorca (Spain), distillery (found it by following my nose!), tastings on site... best gin ever! Of course, I can't remember the name but it came in an old-fashioned clay bottle and the gin smelt like sun and juniper - I haven't tasted anything like it since!

8>Any preferences on Tanqueray versus Bombay?
I never liked Tanqueray, it tasted oily to me but Bombay has been my sipping gin for 50 years and I don't see enough difference to pay the extra money for Sapphire.

Bombay on ice, mmmmmmmm good.
Bob
p.s. I had my first taste of Hendricks last month on the QM2 and I must say it was quite good, must buy some soon.