Riot & Rose - 1743

1743 marked the year of the Gin Act. In that century, each person, man, woman, and child, consumed 10 liters of gin annually. This wasn't the 40% ABV standard mixed with tonic, but rather 80% ABV straight spirit. Unsurprisingly, society faced a problem that people sought to address, leading to repeated interventions throughout the century. Numerous acts imposed taxes, and there were many riots; in one instance, over 200 people were shot. Ultimately, gin production in London by small distilleries was prohibited in 1751, amazingly not being legalized again until 2008, 257 years later! In 2009, the Sipsmith distillery finally opened. Prior to that, however, the Gin Act of 1736 attempted to limit gin consumption by introducing a 20-shilling-per-gallon excise tax and a £50 annual license fee (equivalent to £8,000 today) for all gin sellers. The law proved extremely unpopular, sparking public riots and widespread defiance. It's reported that only two annual licenses were ever purchased, leading many to produce their own gin. The 1743 act reduced the cost of an annual gin selling license from £50 to just 20 shillings. This gin is a tribute to that year (I'm uncertain of the precise reason). I sampled it as the third gin in a tasting flight, served with ice, tonic, and orange. It's a pleasant drink. Rated 2 out of 3 for the evening.