Happy National Gin & Tonic Day EP|337
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In this spirited celebration of National Gin & Tonic Day, Dan Dunn and guest Brad Jaffe take listeners on a global journey through the world of premium gin, exploring its rich history from colonial medicine to modern craft innovation. The episode highlights a diverse array of gins—Monkey 47 from Germany’s Black Forest, Roku from Japan, Strange Nature from New Zealand, and Nolet’s Silver and Reserve from the Netherlands—each showcasing unique botanicals, regional terroir, and cultural storytelling. Dan shares his personal shift to a pescatarian lifestyle, driven by environmental awareness, while celebrating how gin has evolved into a truly international spirit. The conversation blends humor and education, spotlighting both accessible entry points like Nolet’s Silver and luxurious expressions like the saffron-infused Nolet’s Reserve, all while emphasizing that quality and craftsmanship matter—even in a simple gin and tonic. The episode also features a deep dive into Simon Ford’s bartender-designed gin, praised for its ergonomic form and balanced, cocktail-friendly profile, reinforcing the idea that great spirits are made for sharing and savoring. The final segment wraps up with a reflective and joyful tone, as Dan reflects on tasting gin across all seven continents—Antarctica still being the only unclaimed frontier for gin production. They celebrate recent editorial highlights, including an exclusive feature in Food & Wine on Talisker’s groundbreaking 47-year-old Magma single malt, the oldest ever released by the 197-year-old distillery. Despite repeated non-win status in the Spirited Awards, Dan reaffirms that the podcast’s mission is rooted in education, passion, and community, not accolades. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with the show through ratings, reviews, and subscriptions, while promoting Brad Jaffe’s Instagram @journeys_jaffe and Dan’s @thewwdpodcast. The episode closes with a lighthearted reminder that missing the celebration is entirely the listener’s fault—making it a fun, informative, and deeply celebratory tribute to one of the world’s most beloved cocktails.
National Gin & Tonic Day celebrates a globally beloved cocktail with deep historical roots and modern craft innovation.
Gin has evolved into a diverse, terroir-driven spirit with distinct regional expressions from Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, and beyond.
The choice of gin dramatically affects the flavor of a G&T, with premium, craft gins offering complexity and accessibility for all palates.
Environmental and ethical considerations are increasingly shaping personal choices, such as adopting pescatarian diets to reduce water and carbon footprints.
Innovative gins like Roku and Strange Nature use seasonal botanicals and non-traditional bases, pushing the boundaries of traditional gin-making.
…and 4 more takeaways available in PodZeus
National Gin & Tonic Day Kickoff & Dan’s Pescatarian Shift
“I'm really fucking glad it's April. Let me say that. But also another new development that you're not aware of, Brad. I'm going to spring it on you right now. Do you know what I've done? A change I've made in my life. You've gone sober? No. That I wouldn't have a job anymore. It is. It's not April Fool's Day, so. But it is along those lines. I am not eating meat anymore. I'm pescatarian.”
Monkey 47: The Black Forest’s Botanical Masterpiece
“It's not just that they're using, you know, lingonberries and other assorted fruits and botanicals that are non-traditional. They're also using a process that's very non-traditional. They're using, you know, like you say, this maceration process before they even do the distillation.”
Roku & Strange Nature: Japanese and New Zealand Innovation
“The joy, I guess the hack of what makes that melon so concentrated with flavor, if you don't know, Dan, do you know? When they manicure the tree that it grows on, they make it so that they cut off all the other fruits so that all of the energy of this plant, of this tree is going to supply one fruit.”
Nolet's Reserve Silver: A Floral Gateway to Gin
“You just crack this bad boy open, give it a smell. It is so warm and inviting. And it does – it's floral. It leads with florality. And I love that.”
Nolet’s Silver & the Legacy of Dutch Gin
The segment concludes with a deep dive into Nolet’s Silver Gin, a floral, soft gin that helped reintroduce Dan to the world of gin after a negative experience with juniper-heavy spirits. The episode highlights its elegant presentation, 11th-generation family legacy, and the ultra-luxury Nolet’s Reserve made with saffron.
“330 years of tradition in a $40 bottle. And again, we're talking about charismatic stewards of brands. Carl Nolette is about as charismatic as you get.”
“You just crack this bad boy open, give it a smell. It is so warm and inviting. And it does – it's floral. It leads with florality. And I love that.”
“I'm really fucking glad it's April. Let me say that. But also another new development that you're not aware of, Brad. I'm going to spring it on you right now. Do you know what I've done? A change I've made in my life.”
Host
Guest
Brad Jaffe
person
Dan Dunn
person
Monkey 47
brand
Roku Gin
brand
Strange Nature
brand
Nolet's Reserve Silver
product
Simon Ford
person
Nolet’s Silver
brand
Nolet's Reserve
product
Talisker
brand
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