Instructions: "Shaken, not stirred." A classic line, for a classic cocktail-the preferred martini of James Bond, the debonair British secret agent immortalized in Ian Flemmings novels.

Purists claim that shaking a martini can "bruise" the gin, a dubious, though amusing, contention. Theres no question, however, that gin itself has had a controversial past.

Used today in more crisply refreshing drinks than any other distilled spirit, gin was first created as a medicine by a Dutch chemist some 300 years ago. Its supposed curative powers became irrelevant-people felt better, so in the 17th century, the English took the Dutch potion back to their country and drank it liberally, with or without toasting anyones health. In fact, they became so enamored of the spirit that they were soon making it themselves. Once called "Mothers Ruin", and scorned by the upper classes because it was the drink of the oftsodden poor, gin perhaps owes its modern sophisticated cachet to the Martini.

Gins are more than neutral spirits distilled from grain. They are reprocessed and redistilled with a flavorists collection of assorted herbs and spices, primarily Juniper berries. Gin, like other clear spirits, is basically clean and bracing in flavor, but has fruity and herby overtones as well.

The most common style of gin is London Dry. In 18th century London, most gins were sweetened to disguise their rawness. Pioneering distillers experimented with making unsweetened gin, which was smooth in character, with elegant aromatic flavors, giving rise to the style of gin known as London Dry, now produced around the world.

One of those pioneers, Alexander Gordon, founded his distillery in London in 1769, and set the standards of quality for superior gin. The legendary boars head that his ancestors had carried on their shields is still prominent today on the brands label. As well as being the worlds sixth-largest spirits brand, Gordons Gin dominates the international gin market.

Another famous gin pioneer was Charles Tanqueray, who was only twenty years old when he established his London distillery in 1830. Tanqueray perfected the art of producing the purest unsweetened gin, with a dryness that complements the flavor of the juniper and other botanicals used in its manufacture. Tanqueray Gin, exported to more than 100 international markets, is the worlds leading super-premium gin, as well as the United States best-selling inported gin. The distinctive green bottle, based on the desigh of a 19th century London fire hydrant, is the only one protected by a worldwide patent.

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