No. 3 London Dry Gin

Nose: Lemongrass, juniper, a hint of rosemary and lavender are present. In the background, some seed spices like cardamom and coriander can be detected. Palate: Initially sweet with light lemon, juniper, and warm spice, mirroring the nose. The mouthfeel is full-bodied with a pleasingly smooth texture. It's understated, featuring lovely musky and herbal notes. Finish: Moderate length. Sweet, spicy notes fade into a gentle, slightly woody bitterness, likely from the angelica root. A likeable gin, expertly crafted yet quite "standard." There's nothing especially noteworthy or unique; no dominant aroma, taste, or texture. It's simply a solid London dry gin. If that's your preference, it fits the bill. However, if you seek intensity or distinctiveness, look elsewhere; this isn't the spirit for you. I find this spirit overpraised, and its official score of 93 feels too high. It's definitely better than average, but that's its limit. In a blind comparison, I'd be shocked if it stood out. I'd suggest this to someone upgrading from cheap, basic supermarket gin who wants a solid, conventional option, but not to a dedicated gin lover. "Above Average": 82/100 (3.25 stars)

A vibrant London Dry Gin, crafted using a special recipe from Berry Bros. & Rudd, produced by De Kuyper Royal Distillers in Schiedam, Netherlands. It's made in classic copper pot stills with a blend of three fruits and three spices: juniper from Italy, sweet orange peel from Spain, and grapefruit peel; angelica root, coriander seeds from Morocco, and cardamom pods. It starts with a bright introduction of juniper; a lively and zingy middle introduces hints of blossoms, cardamom, citrus peel, a ginger-like quality, and coriander; finishing with a dry, grounding end featuring angelica root. June 2020

The bottle design is exceptionally cool. Initial aroma offers citrus peel, followed by subtle juniper. It evokes a Mediterranean pine forest walk. The taste is reminiscent of a sweet lemon candy, with juniper playing a secondary role. Intriguing floral and confectionery notes are present. The lingering finish becomes more savory. The flavors are distinctive and unlike anything experienced previously. This doesn't strike me as a standard London Dry; it's significantly more and quite remarkable.

An outstanding gin for a martini. It feels very clean on the palate upon the initial taste. Light citrus notes emerge, followed by the juniper at the end, but it doesn't linger like other gins.

This is a superb London Dry Gin with a straightforward ingredient list that yields robust flavors and aromas; at 46% alcohol, it's delicious served neat on ice, as well as in a classic G&T.

Remarkably smooth and understated. The expected floral and juniper characteristics are present but are impressively subdued in the most positive way. An excellent spirit for sipping.