#421 Gin, part 2: English Gins

Gin is, by many, considered the 'English' spirit, and as with most things that are considered 'British' or 'English', it came from overseas and we bettered it, or embraced it open armed and made it ours.  As a result, London became the place that Gin is most associated with.  London Dry Gin has a heavily dominant Juniper presence and, aside from the botanicals and water, no additives are allowed to be mixed in, and that includes sugar, hence the word 'Dry'.

Gordons and Beefeater are two of the most famous London Dry Gins, but to follow on from the American gin tasting I decided to try two newcomers, Sipsmith and Fifty Pounds.  Sipsmith is the first copper pot distillery to set up in London in nearly 200 years, and one of only four gin distilleries located within the city limits.  Fifty Pounds Gin is named after the Gin Act levy, and is made in south east London.  But first, a new style of gin, made from apples, by Tyrrell's potato chip founder, Chase Distilleries of Hereford.

Williams Chase Gin (48%abv) from Herefordshire is very clean, appley with a gentle element of sea salt coming off.  Also coming off the nose is a bright, soor ploom (scottish boiled sweet) aroma.  The palate has a sweet, spiced start with a lot of alcohol heat but it doesn't attack you, it gently warms you and leaves you with more, crisp, green apple flavours.  It is a little like grappa to be honest.  I like it but it doesn't bowl me over.  Having said that, it is a distinctive gin and would work so well in cocktails.  89pts £33-£38

Sipsmith London Dry Gin (41.6%abv) is immediately noticable as a London Gin - juniper comes through to the front of the nose with subtle lemon and grapefruit aromas backing it all up.  There is a little white pepper as well. Again, some sweetness up front with some juniper, a little bit of tree bark (strangely!) and then some grapefruit pith and a gentley spiced flavour coming off.  Again, some grappa flavous emerge but very herbal on the back end.  A nice gin.  90pts £30-£35

Fifty Pounds London Dry Gin (43.5%abv) is very subtle, it comes through with some spice, berries an a light yellow flower aroma.  The palate is hot at first, but calms down, offers out some lemony, spicy flavours with a dry, pithy element coming through.  Some very nice minerally flavours come through on the back end, and warming to the end.  91pts £30-£35

The artisan gins from England are all good, but they don't have the wow factor of the American gins.  We'll see how the Scottish gins do next...

To find out more about these gins, the botanicals and the companies, please visit their websites

Chase Distillery

Sipsmith Gin

Fifty Pounds