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(London) Dry Gin

Overview:

London dry gin, or simply dry gin, refers to the crisp, juniper-forward style that you get any time you order a Gin & Tonic and is the go-to choice for classic cocktails like the Martini and Tom Collins. The "dry" descriptor was initially to distinguish it from the sweeter, fuller-bodied  genever and old tom 

genever and old tom gin styles, which were once much more pervasive.

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On this page, "London dry gin" and "dry gin" are used interchangeably, though distinctions exist. Broadly speaking, London dry gin will reliably represent the classic, traditional form, while "dry gin" may deviate slightly and incorporate unconventional botanicals.  London dry gin must adhere to certain technical standards.  Interestingly, none of these necessitate production in London; the style did originate in England but can be made worldwide.

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Like all gins, dry gins are neutral spirits infused with botanicals, with juniper as the principal ingredient. For more information on gin botanicals and the gin-making process, visit the  main gin page. 

Additives: London Dry Gin, Distilled Gin, and Compound Gin

These are official gin classifications that outline the use of additives and essences in gin. Their distinctions shouldn’t concern the average consumer, but they are important to recognize in our pursuit of a comprehensive understanding of the category.

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London Dry Gin:

  • Flavors must come exclusively from natural plant materials.

  • No additional flavorings or essences, natural or artificial, are added after distillation.

Distilled Gin:

  • May include additional flavorings or essences added post-distillation.

  • Not considered inferior; for instance, Hendricks, with added cucumber and rose essences post-distillation, falls into this category.

Compound Gin:

  • Relies solely on essences and flavorings without the use of natural botanicals.

  • Generally viewed as lower quality, akin to bathtub gin.

Recommended Brands  -

I categorized each gin based on my evaluation of its flavor profile and how it works in cocktails. 

 

All these gins will stand in admirably as traditional gin in classic cocktails. 

In contrast, the gins in the separate new Western section deviate distinctly from the classic model and you notice it in the cocktail (not necessarily a bad thing).  Hence, their grouping on a speared page. 

Classic London Drys - These are all excellent choices for the workhorse gin in your bar.  Many of them are widely circulated and should be easy to find.

 

  • Tanqueray -  The gin for gin lovers.  This is my go-to, particularly for Gin & Tonics and shaken, refreshing cocktails.  It’s high-proof, 47.3% ABV, and extremely juniper forward. The more premium Tanqueray 10 is also fantastic. 

    • Botanicals: Juniper, angelica root, coriander, and licorice root. Note no citrus peels!

 

  • Plymouth* - Elegant, nimble botanicals and a floral hint. A perfect Martini gin.  

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, lemon peel, sweet orange peel, angelica root, orris root, cardamom.

 

  • Beefeater - ASadly, Beefeater lowered its proof from a pristine 47% to an underwhelming 43%, then it lowered it again to 40%, dropping it out of contention for a staple gin.  A crying shame.  I wouldn’t turn it down, but I’m likely not going to reach for it much anymore.

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, licorice root, orris root, seville orange, lemon peel, angelica root, bitter almond.

 

  • Bombay Dry - A subtler gin similar to Plymouth but with a botanical mix closer to Beefeater.  A great an affordable dry gin. The well-known Bombay Sapphire is not my personal preference because it's less herbaceous, though many love it for that very reason.

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, licorice root, orris root, lemon peel, angelica root, bitter almond, cassia bark.

 

  • Gordon’s - The economy option of the bunch and Britain's top-selling gin. At 80 proof it's lighter, so maybe not the best choice for a martini, but a very solid and at an unbeatable price. 

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, liquorice root, lemon peel, orange peel.

 

  • Ford's - Created by Simon Ford of the 86 Co.., this gin strikes a perfect balance of elegance and assertiveness. One of the best.

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, jasmine, cassia bark, lemon peel, bitter orange peel, grapefruit peel.

 

  • Reiger's Midwestern Dry Gin - Not widely distributed , but a personal favorite.  This is from J. Rieger & Co. of Kansas City, developed with Tanqueray's former master distiller Tom Nichol. It's full of traditional botanicals and reminiscent of Tanq's juniper bomb character but it's a bit rounder overall with a decadently rich texture.  Wonderful.

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica, licorice root and orange peel.

 

  • Junipero - The folks at Anchor distilling were one of the first American gins to throw their hat in the ring back in the 90s.  As the name suggests, this is a full on juniper extravaganza, in the best way.

    • Botanicals: Juniper, the rest are undeclared.

Less Traditional Dry Gin (No Less Delicious) - These all deviate somewhat from the classic style in compelling ways.  But they still function beautifully as classic dry gins in cocktails, and that's how they should be used.

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  • Old Raj - Distilled in Scotland, Old Raj boasts a robust 55% ABV, nearing navy strength. It features prominent notes of juniper and citrus, with a hint of saffron that imparts a unique yellowish tint. A top pick for a bold, distinctive Martini.

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica root, lemon peel, orange peel, orris root, cassia bark, almond, colored with saffron.

 

  • Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength - Distinguished by its melon-like undertones, thanks to cucumber essence added post-distillation, this gin stands out with its flavor profile. At 45.2% ABV, it's especially good in Negronis. A must-try for fans of Hendrick's.

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, lemon peel, orange peel, lime peel, cassia bark, nutmeg, cucumber essence (post distillation).

 

  • Botanist - Crafted by the Bruichladdich distillery (see the Single Malt Scotch page) this Scottish gin is known for its gentle initial notes and intriguingly rich complexity.  With 22 botanicals, this comes as no surprise.  The roster starts like a typical London dry but ends up reading like an apothecary's grocery list.

    • Botancials: Juniper, coriander, angelica root, lemon, peel, orange peel, liquorice root, orris root, cassia bark, peppermint, thyme, tansy, wood sage, sweet cicly, mugwort, meadowsweet, red clover, lady's bedstraw, lemon balm, hawthorne flower, heather flower, gorse flower, downy birch, chamomile, downy birch, apple mint, water mint, spearmint.

 

  • Cotswolds - Hailing from the picturesque Cotswolds region outside of London, this gin adheres mostly to the classic dry formula but amplifies the spice, notably with black pepper as opposed to the more common cubeb pepper. It performs brilliantly in all classic cocktails. It shines brightly in all the classics.

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica root, lavender, bay leaf, grapefruit peel, lime peel, black pepper, cardamom.

Navy Strength Gin

Navy Strength Gin

Navy Strength Gin is a high-proof gin usually crafted in the London Dry style, bottled at 114 proof or 57% alcohol by volume.  It earned the "Navy Strength" moniker from its historical use aboard ships, where its high alcohol content allowed gunpowder to ignite even when soaked with the gin, as the story goes.

 

This higher-proof gin translates into more booze (naturally) and more flavor.  I like to use it to make 50/50 Martinis, as in equal parts gin and vermouth.  It's also a nice way to give a lighter cocktail a little backbone, like a spritz or champagne cocktail.

 

Recommended Brands 

  • Perry’s Tot: Made by the folks at New York Distilling Company who also make Dorothy Parker (a New Western gin).  This superbly unique Navy Strength gin uses wildflower honey from NY State as one of its botanicals.  It is also the gin I use in Social Hour’s Navy Strength Gin & Tonic!  

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, orange peel, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, angelica root, cinnamon, anise, cardamom, and wildflower honey.

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  • Plymouth Navy Strength - Just high octane Plymouth, what's not to love?

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, lemon peel, sweet orange peel, angelica root, orris root, cardamom.​

 

  • Hayman’s Royal Dock - The same company that makes Hayman's Old Tom, this is one of the best spirits I've ever had, in any cateogry.

    • Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, orange peel, lemon peel, angelica root, orris root, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise.

*Former Category: Plymouth Gin

Plymouth, England, once held a "Geographical Indication" (GI) making any gin produced there distinct as Plymouth gin. A century ago, Plymouth gin was known for its unique, heavier, and maltier style, bridging London dry and genever. However, today, the sole survivor of this tradition is Plymouth Gin, revived in 1998, which closely resembles the classic London dry style. In 2015, the decision was made not to renew the GI, eliminating Plymouth as a separate category.   But the Plymouth gin is still around and still great!

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