Fords Gin

Rating: 15/23 This has a noticeably oily texture and virtually no sharpness. It's very smooth but also so mellow that it's rather uninteresting. It reminds me of a less adventurous Pacific Voyager. It's adequate, but not particularly enjoyable. It's definitely oily and has a savory herbal quality, slightly reminiscent of mezcal. There's some spice but not much fruit. It's quite different from Tanqueray No. 10, but my opinion has shifted from viewing Ford's as significantly inferior to placing them on a similar level, around a 15. The aroma is subtle, featuring pleasant pine notes mingled with swirling herbal and vegetal scents, balanced by lemon on the other end and rounded out by some sweetness. It strongly recalls Pacific Voyager. There's also a hint of white and black pepper in the scent, but not excessively. The initial taste is piney and sweet, with vegetal flavors and a touch more herbal bitterness quickly appearing. There's also a subtle earthy note that borders on smokiness. The alcohol presence is slightly higher than I'd prefer, but not extreme. The balance is very good, but it requires a specific flavor preference. I now detect the coriander mentioned by a reviewer upon reading their notes, though it doesn't stand out independently. I'm leaning towards a 15 or 16, possibly a 14, but not higher.

This gin was designed for mixing. The intention was for it to be a go-to for bartenders making various gin cocktails, and after trying it in several, they were right. Its respectable alcohol content holds up well in almost any drink. Drinking it neat, however, might be less rewarding, though it's still decent. On the nose, I detect juniper, but it's not overwhelming. The palate offers a good balance of juniper and citrus, especially orange peel. Spice appears after a few seconds, making for a rather pleasant sip overall. The finish is a bit brief and slightly hot, but not excessively so. Considering its reasonable cost and excellent performance in cocktails (it makes a superb negroni and martini), it's hard to fault this gin. While I still prefer top-tier options like Tanqueray, Tanqueray No 10, Beefeater, Beefeater 24, Sipsmith, and Plymouth, this is quite close. I might even say it's better neat than some of those, but either way, it's a solid gin worth keeping on hand for cocktail enthusiasts.

Rating: 15/23 Nose: Not much on the nose, mostly oily with a hint of alcohol. Palate: It's oily and the alcohol is noticeable, even a bit burning compared to Plymouth. However, there's a significant herbal richness and complexity, with subtle floral and even fainter fruity notes (lemon, perhaps some orange peel) adding sweetness. Juniper is present within the herbs but not dominant. It's strong, suggesting a variety of other herbs are present (possibly tarragon and coriander). Finish: A smooth, herbal finish with some complexity and a slight oily richness. Conclusion: I rated Plymouth a 14 for its smoothness, but this offers more interest. It's intriguing but has a noticeable bite. It's not so compelling that I'd want to drink it continuously. A 14 seems like the minimum score, but a 16 is also possible. A score of 15 or 16 seems most appropriate, and I'll settle on 15.

My local shop finally stocks this amazing gin, and I'm thrilled they do. I'd heard great things but never had the opportunity to taste it. Then, the other day, it appeared as if by magic. Fords Gin beautifully blends many, if not all, of the flavors I enjoy in gin, including juniper, orris, coriander seed, and three citrus varieties. While Drumshanbo remains my top choice for sipping neat, this is a very close second. It's excellent in a Martini and G&T, but truly excels in a Vesper Martini. You really can't go wrong with this gin. It didn't make my top three for regular rotation, but I've expanded my rotation to four to include it. Plus, it's more affordable than Drumshanbo; at $30 for a liter compared to Drumshanbo's $37, it's definitely a keeper. Enjoy!

Smell: Abundant alcohol, juniper, floral notes, some zest. Neat: Good juniper presence, floral notes, noticeable heat, some zest/rind. On Ice: Orange and citrus rind become more prominent, still a decent amount of heat, piney. Definitely a London Dry style given the juniper level. Verdict: Try It: This is an excellent introductory gin for understanding gin and gin cocktails, as it's designed for various mixed drinks. It's quite average for me, leaving something to be desired, but I'd personally recommend other gins in a similar price range. You'll likely find it at bars due to its recent popularity, so give it a shot.

A classic London Dry style with a modest enhancement of citrus. Appears clear in the glass with good viscosity. A forward juniper and spice profile, balanced with just enough sweetness, makes it an excellent mixer. It has an oily texture and a clean herbal finish. I appreciate the distinctive bottle and label. I would place it on par with or slightly below my favorite, Plymouth, but unfortunately, it's less accessible where I am. It makes a fantastic G&T and Martini, and pairs well with lime and mint in a Gin Gin Mule. Update in 2025: Utah now stocks it, but has discontinued Plymouth. A tragedy.