Gin was first distilled in 17th century Holland by Franciscus de la Boe, a University of Leyden chemist known as Dr. Sylvius. He was actually attempting to create an inexpensive medicine when he stumbled across England's trademark spirit. Gin is made by redistilling neutral (flavorless) spirits with assorted herbs and spices, juniper berries being the primary choice. When the returning soldiers brought the spirit back to England around the turn of the 17th century they named it "Gin" after the Dutch word for the juniper (genever). 

When William of Orange came to the British throne during the 17th century, he brought his love of gin with him. Disliking the French and wanting to hurt them in anyway possible, William attempted to eliminate the importing of French wines and brandies by imposing a heavy tax. With French wines and brandies being much too pricey for most people, gin became an inexpensive and popular substitute. However it was so inexpensive and easy to get that whole sections of the population were constantly intoxicated. There was even one inn of that era that lured customers with a sign that read; "Drunk for a penny, Dead drunk for 2 pence, Clean straw for nothing." Ironically it took another stiff taxation, this time on gin, to reduce consumption back to manageable levels.

Dutch and London Dry are the two major types of gin popular today.  London Dry, the more popular of the two, is dry and has a tangy, unsweetened taste.  Today's Dutch gin is different to English and American Gin mainly in the strength.