On 2005-06-14 16:22, JaredB wrote:Yes, bevwar and a few other places have Plymouth gin, but it's not the Navy Strength. That one is U.K. only. Let's hope that changes in the future.

Hello, I'm Craig, and I run a large wine, beer & spirits distributor servicing Ohio & Kentucky. I used to work for the distributor of Plymouth in a previous position, and I'd like to add that (sadly) the Navy Strength is not imported to the US at this time. I wish that I had better news to report, but there are a few websites around where you can get gray-market import bottles (which I use to buy Absinthe)

I have bought from Royal Mile before, but only whiskey. It's not as easy as getting something from Hi Times, but it's not that bad and it is the only way to get some stuff that is generally not available in the US.

I got a bottle of Batavia Arrak as a gift and quickly made some Arrak Punch. Let me tell you, it was nothing like the bottled "arraks punsch extract" from Saturnus (which has none of the aromatic arrak taste of the genuine article). I can only compare it to the difference between Roses' grenadine and the real thing made with pomegranates.

On 2005-07-07 23:10, UtopianDreem wrote:Well, so far no luck on getting Batavia Arak, but got some info. Grunerwald Batavia Arak is sold in the Netherlands but the supplier, H. van Toor Jz. Distillery B.V., does not have a US distributor.

"If last Sundayís New York Times T magazine is to be believed, Batavia arrack is one of the "New Staples"óone of the top ingredients of the season. If thatís the case, then never has one spirit gone so far so fast, from a century-plus of obscurity to must-have status in the liquor cabinet.

Produced since at least the early 17th-century on the island of Java, Batavia arrack is rumís funky ancestor. Made from sugarcane and fermented red rice (one quibble with the Times story: while Sri Lankan arrack made from palm sap has a similar name, itís a totally different creature), this smoky, aromatic spirit was a marinerís favorite for years, and was an essential ingredient in punch until well into the 19th-century. Eventually supplanted by rum, Batavia arrack faded from the back bar and the liquor store; in recent years it was primarily found close to its Asian roots, as well as in parts of Northern Europe, where it appeared in chocolates, desserts and sweetened, flavored punches.

And so it would have remained, had not a small but thirsty market of vintage spirits geeks in the U.S. persuaded Eric Seed, a Minnesota-based importer and principal at Haus Alpenz, to start bringing this obscure ingredient into the country. Now, 11 months after the first bottles began turning up in higher-end bars and liquor stores, the paper of record has dubbed it a staple.

I donít know if Iíd go that far, but I will say that Batavia arrack is worth investigating. The flavor is a bit coarser and more rustic than many spirits out there now, but the arrack has a distinctive aroma, somewhere between Haitian rum and single-malt Scotch, that makes it an interesting ingredient to work with. Accented with spice, citrus and black tea and softened with sugar, the arrack also makes a memorable punch that tastes something like history. Batavia arrack isnít the easiest thing to find, but if you do some searching, the result will be worthwhile"

BTW, I have met the promotions rep for Plymouth Gin, who is a famous local bartender. He tells me there are currently no plans to bring Navy strength to the US, but he's lobbying and hoping that will change. He's supposed to be coming over to see me at Vic's with some samples of Navy Strength as well as Plymouth's Sloe Gin and Fruit Cup. Can't wait!

Seven years later...

Update! Plymouth Gin Navy Strength is now available in the US. I wonder for how long that's been going on? I just saw that Beverage Warehouse in Marina Del Rey carries it, 750ml bottle for $34.95. Hi Times in Costa Mesa has it as well ($31.99). Sounds like it shouldn't be too hard to find for anyone at this point.

Oh, the Plymouth Sloe Gin is available too. I picked up a bottle at Total Wine a few months ago. It was the best sloe gin Evar! Well at least as far as sloe gin's that I have tasted...

Here's a good recipe from the excellent book "Boozehound" that called for it (sloe gin that is).