[October 2016] I appreciate that a closet evangelist is a bit of an oxymoron but do allow me to explain. I like gin quite a lot. I do not profess to be either truly knowledgeable or a connoisseur. I have built up some understanding through my enthusiasm and years of participation. This gives me a slight advantage over most people around me. I do tend to kerb my enthusiasm, perhaps keep it in the closet, until I am asked a specific question around gin. I then seem to switch on the preachy inner Gin Evangelist and gush with unrivalled excitement.

I know when this is happening, as my children and wife, if they are watching at the time, give me that look that implies “here we go again.” During a recent trip to Edinburgh, I found myself preaching the word of G and T to colleagues, clients and suppliers. Until I am asked, I say little but once the button is pressed, I struggle to hold back the joy that must be shared. At the end of the evening, I looked around the bar and noticed that everyone was drinking Gin either via G and T or within a cocktail. Most of these people would have notably ended with a good whiskey or a beer. Both of which, I must add, I do enjoy myself.

My brother and his partner visited this weekend. Asked if they would like a G and T the response was lukewarm but appreciated, none the less. Both were Gin drinkers but perhaps favoured Beer or Wine. I then asked what specific gin and what tonic they would prefer?

“They all taste pretty much the same, anything will do”

My wife and children went quiet. Imagine a gunslinger entering through the shutter doors of an old western bar… I paused for a moment. And then it happened. My inner Evangelist appeared. By the time they left, I felt my work was complete. No more sweetener/aspartame tonics, there are alternative garnishes to lemon, Gin can be as varied as there are types of cars. You get my point. I hope that I talked with them rather than at them. The same for my colleagues. I want others to share my delight in something, but not bore them. Perhaps this is why I share via social media and this blog? Musing about things to strangers with a common interest. My name is GinThing and I am a closet Gin Evangelist. Let’s call it gevangelism. #gevangelist