Gin and General: Tracing the Armed Forces' Gin connect !

'Spiritz' focus issue on Gin

 "Gin and General" is more than just a headline. It symbolises the beverage's  integration within  the Forces culture ever since it originated as "Genever" in  a quaint town of Netherlands in the 16th century. This was the time when the British and Dutch were fighting the same battles in the Dutch/Spanish war and Genever drinking was a popular practice amongst soldiers before the battle. Officers designated this as ‘Dutch Courage’- a phrase that is popular even today. The British Navy transported Genever (renamed Gin by them) in copious amounts back home, as also to the British colonies across the world. No Officers Mess of a Commonwealth nation has been without Gin ever since.

Recently when. Bishan Kumar, Group Editor Blue Ink Media, called me up with a proposal to do the subject story for  Spiritz Magazine's focus issue on Gin, my immediate response was of exuberance.  Not because Gin is one of my favourite afternoon drinks, but due to the prospect of interviewing one of my awe inspiring former bosses. And the obvious name that came to my mind was  Gen Ajay Chandele – one of the most  stylish and articulate Generals with whom I was privileged to be a brother in arms- albeit a much younger one.

Lt Gen Ajay Chandele, PVSM,AVSM (Retd) at his home bar ready to host guests.

I touched base with the General and soon enough we were  at the Noida Golf course to converse on a subject none of us could have imagined as coming up for discussion a few years back.  Inquisitiveness had the better of me as I started pronto, asking him about his maiden experience with Gin in the Army. “As a cadet at the Indian Military Academy, my father was posted on the instructional staff (of the Academy). My mother would occasionally  invite some of my company course mates to lunch on Sundays and we got an opportunity to sneak a swig with them, courtesy my younger brother who was always playing the perfect host” says the General with an impish gleam in his eyes.  “The association with Gin thereafter has been forever”, he adds. But isn’t Gin considered an afternoon drink in the Army? There is a strong logic behind it- he explained. Afternoon games are an essential part of army cantonment routine, so heavy drinking before lunch is usually avoided. However, a pre- lunch Gin and tonic helps build appetite and is the preferred drink during day time.

Gen Chandele in action at Golf Course

By this time our glass of Gin that the General ordered earlier arrives. The accompaniments of  lime cordial and pearl onions give it away as a Gimlet but  behind the glasses I see soda and Angostura bitters that indicate it is the classical Army favourite.  I ask whether the Army way continued to be his preferred way of having Gin.”My favourite way,” the General reveals, “is to have it with just a little tonic, a slice of lime, dash of Angostura  and crushed ice. The bartender at the Secunderabad Club used to make another of my favourite cocktails– with  lime juice , a sprig of fresh mint and bitters in a highball glass with lot of ice – just the perfect drink after a vigorous game of squash. Nowadays, the General’s favourite watering hole is  the ‘Bunker’ bar at the Army Golf Course, Dhaula Kuan where he enjoys either beer or Gin and tonic with his coursemates after a round of golf. 

His favourite gin brands are  Beefeater and Bombay Sapphire. But in Defence institutions, it is largely the  Blue Riband that rules, due to its easy availability in CSD .

Having been a top brass of the Indian Army, the General has been hosted on several occasions by other armies across the world and has played host to visiting dignitaries umpteen times. I ask him about any differences in Gin consumption he might have noticed as compared to us. His reply is laced with interesting bits of gin information: “Gin is England’s national spirit and is popular in the clubs of across the erstwhile British colonial countries. It is very popular in the Philippines, which consumes almost half the Gin produced in the world. On the continent, Spain is a Gin and tonic nation. In the US, it is the ingredient of a variety of cocktails. But in Russia, and the Eastern Bloc countries, it can’t compete with vodka.” 

But hasn’t vodka overwhelmed Gin in the past few years? Even the James Bond specifies a vodka Martini in an emphatic indicator of changing tends. The General does not agree though - “ Gin is the preferred base for most cocktail recipes in Army messes. Our bartenders are more comfortable with Gin and can whip up many delightful concoctions.”

It is Mrs Chandele’s phone call and it is no secret that even Generals have to take a halt to pick up the
phone when the wife calls. I use the opportunity to feast my eyes on the lush greenery around along with munching the pristine white pearl onion with a few swigs of the Gin. We resume shortly with my next question: Are army ladies also favourably disposed towards Gin? Answering in the affirmative. “Gin and tonic is by far the most popular with army  ladies, but with the cocktail culture picking up, some of the younger ones prefer vodka and the non initiated stick to Bacardi Breezers,” says the General.

It’s time for the General to leave for a board meeting and knowing well that he is now a man wearing different hats, I sneak in a concluding question: How does he perceive the 'Gin factor' as having changed in his multi-role  civilian avatar of  Managing Editor of a niche magazine, a decision maker in the Indian Golf Union and a Board member of a technology giant? 

“My golfing colleagues prefer Gin over other spirits, unless beer is  part of the bet. The board room types like to stick to their chota  Gin during day , not much work can be done after beer,” he  shares the gin habits of the people around him. 

Clicking my heels with arms stretched in attention ( the Forces way of saluting while in civvies) I thank the General with the hope of hosting him to a Negroni with Bombay Sapphire soon enough!