What Is The Best London Dry Gin

Ben Lomond Blood Orange & Pink Grapefruit Gin

Top 10 best London Dry Gins

Best Scottish gin

Scottish gin Ben Lomond draws inspiration from Loch Lomond, using botanicals from the surrounding peaks to create vibrant flavoured gins alongside its classic Original. Our favourite is the newest Blood Orange and Pink Grapefruit, a zesty citrus gin inspired by vibrant Scottish sunsets. The grapefruit adds a sherbety touch to the sweet orange for a versatile bottle. For fans of berry gin, the Blackberry and Gooseberry gin has rich dark fruit aromas and well balanced tart fruit with a sweet finish.

Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin

Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin is an absolute classic in the world of gin and theres a very good reason for this. It uses a perfect blend of ten botanicals, the recipe was created, adapted, and changed until it was absolutely perfect, with origins dating back to 1761.

The company has changed hands a few times and was officially relaunched in 1986 with the name Bombay Sapphire. The original recipe was modernized and was ultimately instrumental in popularizing London Dry Gin.

In addition to juniper, the recipe includes lemon peel, almond, licorice, cassia, orris root, coriander, cubeb, angelica, and grains of paradise. The nose is diverse with notes of coriander, citrus, and juniper with floral undertones. The palate offers lemon zest and juniper with a hint of earthy pepper notes. The finish is spicy with a hint of licorice.

What Is Special About Plymouth Gin

Plymouth Gin was the only spirit made in England, and one of only three gins in the world, that carried a geographical indication designation with the European Union, certifying its traditional origin.

Is Plymouth Gin good for gin and tonic?

For a Light Gin and Tonic: Plymouth If the V.J.O.P. sounds like your worst botanical nightmare, try swapping in a Plymouth-style gin, London drys lighter, more floral cousin . Pair it with a citrusy tonic to highlight the gins softness.

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Cooper King Distillery Dry Gin

Taking a cue from frequent flyers who want to offset their carbon emissions by planting trees for each flight they might take, Cooper King Distillery in Yorkshire has produced what they describe as the first carbon-neutral gins in the UK: for every bottle they sell, the distillery pays to plant a square metre of new woodland in the UK. Environmentalism aside, theyre also deliciously fragrant GQs favourite, the dry gin, is infused with honey produced by the distillerys own beehives, as well as wafting cardamom and citrus notes. But try the herb gin, too, which melds basil, lemongrass and cloves. £39.95. Athouseofmalt.co.uk

45/74

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Big Smoke Rhubarb And Pink Lemonade Gin

Best for pink gin fans

The pink candy-stripe packaging of this bottle makes it perfect for gifting, along with the pretty much guarantee of it being a unique new flavour that the lucky recipient is unlikely to have tried before. Made in Southwest London, this sweet and refreshing gin is infused with English rhubarb, pink grapefruit to provide citrus notes for the lemonade aspect and rose petals giving it a pale pink hue. Best served with a plain tonic to let the flavour come through.

Sipsmith London Dry Gin

Sipsmith London Dry Gin was given 93 points by the Beverage Tasting Institute for its exquisite flavor and expert use of ten expertly chosen botanicals. The distillery is based in an old micro-brewery and is home to the first new gin in London in almost 200 years!

The distillery was founded by three partners, all sharing the same goal to make a gin that is traditional, authentic, and delicious. They spent a great deal of time selecting their botanicals. Not only have they created an amazing recipe, but they focus on the quality of their botanicals and use only the best.

Included in the gin is French angelica root, Bulgarian coriander seed, Macedonian juniper berries, Spanish licorice root, Spanish ground almond, Italian orris root, Madagascan cinnamon, Chinese cassia bark, Sevillian orange peel, and Spanish lemon peel.

The botanicals are combined and distilled through a special copper pot still affectionately named Prudence. Shes able to produce about 280 bottles of the gin every day. She is the only still of her kind in the whole world the team had her custom-made by an experienced distillery producer whose family has been making stills since 1869.

Once distilled, the gin is brought to proof with clear spring water and is then bottled by hand. It offers a beautiful floral aroma with notes of citrus, juniper, and a summer meadow. The palate features a combination of lemon, strawberry jam, orange zest, and juniper with a tart finish of lemon and lime.

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The Lakes Distillery Pink Grapefruit

The Lakes Distillerys classic gin was already a favourite and this new offering is a notch above many of the flavoured or novelty brands around. The notes are perfectly balanced and the pink grapefruit has just the right kick without overpowering the experience. The only drawback may be that it is too easy to drink. You can mix it, but since its already flavoured it might be best to stick to G& Ts and Martinis. £29.99. Atanddrinksandco.co.uk

Plymouth Navy Strength Gin

London Dry Gin Showdown, Beefeater vs Tanqueray vs Bombay Sapphire

Another great offering from Plymouth is their Navy Strength gin. Plymouth was actually the first brand to officially market Navy Strength gin in 1997, which has since become a whole category of its own.

If youre unfamiliar with Navy Strength, it just means strong, or over-proof. This bottle boasts an ABV of 57%, which is a substantial jump from the 45%-ish ABV of normal gin. Plymouths Navy Strength is one of the best because it actually wrangles this high alcohol content with a balanced and surprisingly smooth taste. Of course, the punchiness is still there, making the Navy Strength gin a great option for bold cocktails and adventurous gin tasting.

Courtesy Drizly.com

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The 5 Best London Dry Gins

Paul has been a passionate fan of gin for over thirty years. Born in the UK, he currently lives in Florida.

Gin and tonic has its roots in tropical British colonies, where gin was used to dull the bitter flavor of quinine, which was taken to protect against malaria. Quinine is still an ingredient of modern day tonic water.

I’ve been an enthusiastic fan of gin ever since I was first presented with my first gin and tonic over thirty years ago at a friend’s house. Gin has a unique flavor and is a must-have spirit for cocktail bars and parties.

The roots of gin go back to the Middle Ages, when it began its evolution from a herbal medicine to a popular spirit. Developed from a Dutch liquor known as “jenever,” gin became popular in Great Britain, and especially London after the country was occupied by William of Orange, leader of the Dutch Republic, and his wife Mary.

Between 1695 and 1735, gin became the drink of choice for many British people, especially the poor, due to its low price, and thousands of gin shops opened up across the country. This period was known as the Gin Craze, and the spirit gained the epithet “mother’s ruin” due to the negative effects of excessive consumption on family and social life.

The craft spirits revolution of the 21st century has created a gin renaissance in Britain and around the world, bringing new gins for the veteran drinkers to try, as well as creating new fans for the old classics.

More Martin Miller’s Gins

will be the next step in your exploration of this brand. This bottle is a little stronger at 45 percent ABV , which makes it a fantastic option for any gin cocktail you want to pour it in. You will not lose any of that signature gin flavor with this option!

You can also explore the effects of aging on ginsomething most gin is not subjected towith Martin Miller’s 9 Moons. This bottling rests the gin in previously used bourbon barrels for nine months to give it a fascinating sweetness of vanilla and oak.

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What Does Gin Pair Well With

We may be a nation of gin and tonic devotees, but that doesnt mean that your imagination has to stop at ice and a slice. Take inspiration from a bottles botanicals, and choose a couple of those as a fresh garnish. Our favourites include slices of cucumber, a sprig of rosemary or a wedge of grapefruit, to name but a few.

However, having said that, one of the reasons gin remains so popular is that it needs little more than a splash of tonic to enjoy. Its beauty lies in its simplicity.

Of course, weve also recently seen the classic and negroni enjoy a resurgence, both of which are best enjoyed with dry gins weve included plenty below.

Best Navy Strength: Fords Officers’ Reserve

Region: UK | ABV: 54.5 percent | Tasting Notes: Plum, Baking spice, Juniper

Navy strength means gin that is higher proof. This is a throwback to the days when the British navy sailed the seas with gin stored onboard near the gunpowder. If the gin was high proof and leaked into the gunpowder, it would still lighthence, the name.

Fords introduced its Officers Reserve Gin in 2019. It is an excellently executed London dry gin made with mostly traditional old-school botanicals that is wonderful in its original all-purpose expression, said Smith. But then they decided to tantalize us with a more concentrated version that they rest in sherry barrels for a touch of authentic British Royal Navy flavor.

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Gracias A Dios Agave Gin 32 Botanics

Continuing our journey into gin made from parts of the world not usually identified with the category, this one comes from Oaxaca, Mexico. Its made from an agave base spirit, the plant most commonly used for tequila and mezcal, and is infused with 32 botanicals meant to represent the 32 Mexican states. Juniper is present, along with citrus, lemongrass, rosemary, ginger, and eucalyptus. Gin lovers should check out this bottle, its unlike most that youve tried before.

Sipsmith London Dry Is Our Top Pick

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Chloe Jeong / Liquors

Gin can be distilled from almost anything, including grain, fruit, potatoes, or grapes. But what defines this ever-popular spirit is the predominant use of juniper, which must be included in the mix of botanicals that flavor this important cocktail component.

Gin, a descendant of the Dutch spirit genever, has been around for centuries. Once known as mothers ruin, gin has been experiencing a renaissance, with large and small distilleries alike producing various styles like London dry, barrel-aged, and New Western.

Whether you are in the mood for classic cocktails like a or Gin & Tonic or looking to make something more adventurous, there is a gin out there for you.

Our top pick is the Sipsmith London Dry because it’s high-quality and mixes well into cocktails, making it particularly versatile.

Here are some of the best gins out there to try right now.

Region: UK | ABV: 41.6 percent | Tasting Notes: Lemon, Juniper, Pepper

“Sipsmith is one of my go-to Martini gins. It’s savory, juniper-forward with a nice pepper spice finish, and complements an herbaceous dry vermouth in a 50/50.” Prairie Rose, Editor

Hans Reisetbauer Blue Gin

Theres a temptation to think of this as the fun side project of Hans Reisetbauer, an Austrian distillery better known for making some of the worlds best eaux de vie. Yet that would detract from the serious quality showcased in this gin, which ranks among the cleanest, most concentrated, crisp expressions on the market. This calls for an extremely dry Martini with a tiny expression of lemon . Average price: $45. Rating: 94.

What Is London Dry Gin

What is London Dry Gin? | Everything You Need to Know

Though its name hints otherwise, London Dry gin is defined not by geography but by process. Its made by redistilling neutral alcohol with predominantly juniper, plus a variety of natural aromaticsand no artificial flavorings or colorings. For a gin to be classified as London Gin, the European Union legislation of spirits definitions and labeling says the flavor can come only from the botanicals added in the second distillation. This means that gins with natural flavors added after distillation are not London Dry gintheyre technically distilled gin.

spices, such as coriander, cardamom, grains of paradise, ginger, and anise seed
citrus peels, including lemon, orange, and bitter orange
roots, such as angelica, orris, and licorice
Other botanicals, like almond, cassia, and bitter almond

Most of the bottles we tasted for this guide are true London Dry gins, with a couple of exceptions. For instance, we ultimately decided to include Plymouth Gin, which is produced in an English city of the same name. Plymouth is technically not a London Dry gin because, up until 2015, gin produced in Plymouth, England, was considered to be a distinct style, protected by a geographical indication . But that protection ended when Pernod-Ricardthe conglomerate that owns the brand Plymouth Gin, now the only gin actually produced in Plymouth. Flavor-wise, Plymouth is very much like London Dry gin, but everything is a bit more smoothed out and cohesive .

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East London Liquor Company

The East London Liquor Company don’t believe in over-elaborate romantic tales about the creation of artisanal craft gin. These defiantly disruptive distillers instead try to keep their spirits production commercially ethical, terrifically tasty and most of all affordable. Their latest classic dry gin might come in an unsophisticated basic bottle, but as far as bang for your buck goes, this delivers. £22. Atmasterofmalt.com

Best Top Shelf: Nolet’s Reserve Gin

Reserve Bar

Region: Holland | ABV: 52.3 percent | Tasting Notes: Saffron, Verbena, Spice

If youre looking for a truly top-shelf gin, NOLETs Reserve is a pricey but really delicious option. This limited release was created by tenth generation distillery owner named Carolus Nolet, Sr. While its really meant to be sipped, feel free to make a cocktail with it if youre really feeling fancy. But the recommended way to enjoy this is to try it neat, and then maybe add some ice, to enjoy the notes of saffron, verbena, and other botanicals. And at 104.6 proof, enjoy this slowly as it does have some heat.

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Monkey 47 Distillers Cut 2021

Monkey 47 is already an interesting gin, made at a distillery in Germanys Black Forest from a blend of 47 botanicals. But each year the distillery also releases its Distillers Cut, a riff on the core expression, and the latest from 2021 is worth checking out. The 48th ingredient for this release is scarlet monarda, a beautiful red flower. The resulting spirit is fragrant, floral, and has just a hint of spice, making this an interesting gin to sample.

New York Distilling Company Dorothy Parker New York Gin

Along with the standard cast of gin botanicals, this expression also includes elderberry and hibiscus petals, which bring subtle hints of fresh fruit and flowers. The spirit lands on the palate with well-rounded, approachable grace, while its playful spice livens the profile of classic cocktails. Start with an Aviation. Average price: $33. Rating: 91.

Enjoy Hendrick’s Gin In These Cocktails

Hendrick’s is the gin you want when mixing drinks with fresh ingredients. It pairs well with almost any flavor, from fruits to flowers and herbs.

Enjoy it with pomegranate in a poinsettia punch, warm it up mulled wine style with the hot gin punch recipe, or enjoy the lovely flavor of a delicate rose martini. It also does wonders when that cucumber is accented. A recipe like the green gin giant pairs the gin with elderflower, basil, mint, grapefruit, and fresh cucumber for an intriguing, fresh-from-the garden cocktail.

Additionally, Hendrick’s is the gin of choice for many drinkers who prefer vodka. You can use it as a substitute for a variety of vodka cocktails, as seen in the sparkling strawberry cocktail, the cherub’s cup.

William Kerrs Borders Gin

Handcrafted in the Borders, this small-batch spirit is Scottish through and through, combining locally sourced barley, botanicals and malt spirit. The botanicals are suspended in a copper basket in the malt spirit vapour, retaining their unique depth of flavour. Despite being a relative newcomer to the market, this gin has been met with unanimous acclaim after a tipple or two, youll soon see why. £32.44. Atmasterofmalt.com

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