Vintage May be older B. Grant & co unsweetened gin bottle with original stopper!! This rare ( I can't find anything similar?) gin bottle was probably bottled by B .Grant but the gin was made by someone else ?
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Some age related wear with a very small, hardly noticeable crack in bottom but what a fantastic display piece ( see pictures illustration only).
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30 cm tall 8 cm round at base
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Gin originated as the 16th-century Dutch medicinal spirit jenever (genever), a juniper-infused liquor, which became known in England with William of Orange's rise to the throne in 1689 and led to a massive popularity surge and the first Gin Craze in the 18th century, though this was later brought under control by legislation. After a period of rehabilitation in the 19th century, gin experienced a renaissance in the early 2000s, re-embraced as a cocktail ingredient with the flourishing of small-scale distilleries.
From Medicine to "Dutch Courage"
Medicinal Origins:
In the 16th century, Dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius is often credited with refining jenever, a juniper-based spirit, as a medicinal drink to treat ailments like kidney stones and gout.
English Soldiers:
British soldiers fighting in the Netherlands encountered jenever and its reputed ability to provide courage, earning it the nickname "Dutch courage".
Introduction to England:
The spirit became widely known in England when William of Orange ascended to the English throne in 1688, bringing jenever to the country's attention.
The "Gin Craze"
Cheap Production:
Low taxation and easy local production of gin in Britain led to a massive surge in its popularity and over-consumption.
Social Outcry:
This wave of drunkenness led to outrage, famously depicted in William Hogarth's "Gin Lane and Beer Street" engravings.
Legislative Action:
Parliament responded with various laws, including the Gin Act of 1751, which restricted small-scale production and helped curb the extreme excesses of the craze.
Modern History
Rehabilitation and Growth:
After the excesses of the 18th century, gin slowly regained popularity, and its reputation improved over the 19th century.
21st-Century Renaissance:
In the early 2000s, Britain saw a renewed interest in gin, with legislative changes allowing small distilleries to flourish and a new wave of premium gins emerging.
World Gin Day:
June 8th is now celebrated as World Gin Day, marking the drink's enduring popularity and return as a beloved cocktail spirit.