With so many overly flavoured gins now available, choosing a classic London dry gin can be just what the doctor ordered. The best London Dry gins are ultra-clean, with most relying on nothing more than crisp juniper berries, citrus peel and subtle spices.
In my humble opinion, for the perfect Gin & Tonic serve, there is no substitute for a premium London dry gin. Refreshing and crisp, yet at the same time citrusy and gently spiced, London dry is the ultimate companion for tonic.
What Is London Dry Gin?
By EU law, London gin is produced exclusively from ethyl alcohol with flavours imparted solely through distillation. The final gin must be at least 37.5% ABV, not coloured, and not sweetened in excess of 0.1 grams of sweetening products per litre of the final gin.
Top 10 Best London Dry Gins
The best London dry gins are crystal-clear and packed with refreshing crisp juniper, citrus peel and exotic spices. Here are my top 10 for your consideration.
1. Bloom London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: G & J Distillers
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Bloom London Dry Gin is a double-gold award-winning gin created in 2009 by Master Distiller Joanne Moore. The aim was to create a lighter gin for ladies to enjoy lighter, delicate notes of floral aromas.
The secret combination of seven botanicals is distilled in copper pot stills, including chamomile, honeysuckle, and pomelo (a Chinese grapefruit).
On The Nose
Fresh aromas of chamomile and honeysuckle with zesty grapefruit
On The Palate
A crips opening of juniper berries and pomelo grapefruit. Mid-palate becomes more floral with chamomile and honeysuckle. The finish is crisp but tinged with earthy angelica root.
Best Served
Bloom London Dry Gin is best enjoyed as a classic G&T to accentuate the crisp juniper and floral flavours. Serve with Fever-tree India tonic water and sliced strawberries. Also, try it in a Last Word cocktail.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Sipsmith
- ABV: 41.6% (83.2 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Sipsmith was founded by three friends in 2007 who wanted to bring back the classic London Dry Gin. Due to a change in the law needed for this micro distiller, the first Sipsmigh gin did not roll off the production line until 2009.
After acquiring their traditional still “Prudence,” the trio started their journey back to the original gin DNA. The blend is distilled from English wheat and infused with ten different botanical herbs, accompanied by Lydwell spring water.
On The Nose
Floral notes with traditional aromas of juniper berry and citrus zest.
On The Palate
Crisp juniper leads with lemon and hints of sweet-bitter orange marmalade. The finish is a balance of zest and tart notes with a touch of spice.
Best Served
Enjoy as a G&T or a classic Martini served with vermouth stirred till chilled strained and served with a sliver of lemon peel for a sophisticated pleasure.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Opihr Oriental Spiced London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: G & J Distillers
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Launched in 2013, Opihr Oriental Spiced London Dry Gin takes you on a journey along the oriental spice route to bring new and exotic flavours to this award-winning gin.
This Oriental-inspired London Gin gin consists of exotic hand-picked botanicals such as Cubeb berries from Indonesia, Black Pepper from India and Coriander from Morocco. Reminds me of some of the 10 Japanese gins I recently reviewed.
On The Nose
A robust aroma of mixed oriental spices, including cumin and cardamom, with fresh juniper and citrus.
On The Palate
Crisp juniper and lemon upfront entangle with the spiciness of peppery cubeb berries, cumin and cardamom. The finish is crisp with mild camphor undertones.
Best Served
Best served as a reimagined spiced sangria, Opihr style with mulled wine syrup that complements the invigorating citrus tang of orange peel.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. Haymans London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Haymans Distillers
- ABV: 41.2% (82.4 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
With a recipe brought down over 150 years, Hayman’s family distils their gin just four miles from where the company was originally founded.
The family recipe gives this gin its bright, fresh depth by keeping to the traditional two-day distilling process. The English wheat is distilled for a full day before the blend of 10 botanical herbs is distilled in their copper pot still, Marjorie.
On The Nose
Fragrant citrus, crisp juniper, liquorice, nutmeg, cinnamon
On The Palate
Bold upfront juniper with orange peel citrus and a blend of spices mid-palate. The finish is semi-dry, with liquorice adding a touch of sweetness.
Best Served
It is best served as a classical gin and tonic to enjoy the full range of botanical herbs and spices for a refreshing late afternoon tipple when the sun is shining. Hayman’s Navy strength is the winner of my 7 Best Navy Strength Gins To Ignite Your Tastebuds article.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Tanqueray London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Diageo
- ABV: 43.1% (86.2 Proof)
- Country: Scotland
- Colour: Clear
Review
Tanqueray London Dry Gin stays true to the original recipe that Charles Tanqueray devised back in 1830. This classic London Dry is packed with fresh juniper, citrus and an assortment of aromatic spices.
Of course, you have seen this gin everywhere as it’s considered to be the most awarded gin in the world. Perfect as a classic G&T and the base for any gin cocktail, Tanqueray London Dry Gin is incredibly versatile.
Please note that the Export version of this gin (pictured) is slightly higher at 47.3% ABV (94.6 Proof).
On The Nose
Aromatic notes of juniper, tangy grapefruit, angelica root, cinnamon and coriander seed.
On The Palate
A burst of juniper and citrus is greeted by cardamom and coriander mid-palate. The refreshing taste of spicy juniper and pine ensures a long, fresh, zingy finish.
Best Served
Best enjoyed as a classic Tom Collins with a dash of lemon juice mingled with soda water iced to perfection in a highball glass with a wedge of lemon. You could also break the London dry tradition and try it with a lemon gin.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Bombay Sapphire Distilled London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Bombay Sapphire Distillery
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Crafted by Master Distiller Ivano Tonutti at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, this elegantly crafted gin contains ten hand-picked botanical herbs, including almonds, lemon peel, and liquorice. Excellent for complete gin beginners and veterans alike.
The blend has a distinctive taste thanks to the Vapour Infusion process used on their original Carter head still. If you get the chance take the Bombay Sapphire distillery tour, Ingrid and myself highly recommend it.
On The Nose
Bright juniper notes laced with fragrant semi-sweet lemon and hints of spice.
On The Palate
Fresh juniper and zesty lemon soon merge with a mildly spiced middle of angelica, Cubeb berries and coriander. The finish is crisp with a fresh juniper pine kick.
Best Served
Ideal for a classic G&T. The complex harmony of this gin also blends well with the discerning characters of a Bombay Sapphire Negroni.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
7. Beefeater London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater Gin Distillery
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Taking its name after the fearless guards protecting the crown jewels at the Tower of London, Beefeater London Dry Gin uses nine botanicals, including Seville orange peel and angelica.
Originating in 1820 and crafted by James Burroughs, Beefeater gins are still produced to the exacting recipe under the careful watch of the world’s most experienced Master distiller Desmond Payne.
On The Nose
Bright orange and tangy lemon accompany fresh notes of juniper.
On The Palate
Fairly bold with juniper upfront leads to citrus tones of orange and lemon mid-palate. The finish is gently spiced with coriander, angelica and a touch of sweet liquorice.
Best Served
A perfect partner to the Gin Mimosa, the citrus tangs of orange and lemon add a fruity complexity to the cocktail. Serve in a highball glass, orange juice topped with champagne and decorated with a twist of orange peel.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
8. Gordons Special Dry London Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Cameronbridge Gin Distillery
- ABV: 37.5% (75 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Founded by Alexander Gordon in 1769, Gordon’s still produces their gin to the original recipe only known to a dozen people. The botanical herbs are triple distilled for a superior gin.
Fun fact; take a closer look at your bottle of Gordon’s, and you will see a wild boar’s head. Legend states that a member of the Gordon clan saved the King of Scotland from a wild boar whilst out hunting and now have a boar’s head on its coat of arms.
On The Nose
Fresh pine notes from juniper with hints of citrus peel, almond, and liquorice.
On The Palate
The juniper-led opening marries well with the tangy zest of lemon. A hint of spicy pepper and faint sweetness of liquorice. The finish is crisp with more juniper.
Best Served
Enjoyed either as a classic G&T or as a fiery Gordons Ginger Fizz; A mix of Angostura bitters, Gordons dry, lemon, sugar, and ginger ale.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
9. No.3 London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: De Kuyper Royal Distillers
- ABV: 46% (92 Proof)
- Country: Netherlands
- Colour: Clear
Review
No.3 London Dry Gin is a classic style gin (distilled in Holland!) that is both crisp and smooth. The most refreshing balance of 3 essential flavours; juniper, citrus, & spice. The botanicals are steeped for 16 hours and the next day distilled in a unique 100-year copper pot still encased in bricks.
Dr David Clutton (the only person with a PhD in gin) helped create No.3 London Dry. They worked for two years to create a perfect balance of three keynote flavours accentuating the gin’s juniper, citrus, and spice. (source)
On The Nose
Crisp citrus and refreshing juniper with subtle spicy undertones
On The Palate
A clean and fresh opening with a burst of citrus and juniper berries. Mid-palate reveals coriander and black pepper. Angelica, at the finish, is dry and slightly bitter.
Best Served
Perfect for a delectable Clover Club cocktail to enjoy a smooth sour tang of citrus and exotic raspberry.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
10. Greenall’s London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: G & J Distillers
- ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
- Country: England
- Colour: Clear
Review
Thomas Dakin founded Greenalls Original London Dry Gin in 1761. This would become the oldest distillery in England and has since crafted gin through seven generations of master distillers that have kept the recipe unchanged all this time.
Greenall’s London Dry Gin is a classic London Dry. It’s crisp, clean and well-balanced, using a recipe which still remains unchanged to this very day.
On The Nose
Clean, fresh aromas of coriander, juniper, and subtle hints of bitter angelica
On The Palate
Fresh juniper berries up front, with citrus and slightly bitter angelica mid-palate. A gently spiced yet clean and refreshing finish.
Best Served
Enjoy as a classic G&T or perhaps as a Basil Smash that gives a new twist to the common mojito. Gently muddle the torn basil leaves, lemon juice, and sugar syrup.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Andrew’s Top Pick
Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin
Bombay Sapphire remains my favourite London Dry Gin. The fresh juniper, zesty lemon, angelica, Cubeb berries and coriander all play their part. Use Bombay Sapphire for the ultimate London dry G&T.
Conclusion
Gin has been crafted for hundreds of years, with distillers remaining true to recipes handed down from generation to generation. Although modern gins test the boundaries and experiment with new flavours, London dry gin should retain its classic freshie gin DNA until the end of time.
I must say this was a close call as Tanqueray has been my go-to gin for years, yet Bombay Sapphire gin just managed to pip it to the post. Looking to try gins for further afield than old London town? well, Scottish gins are also packed with flavours, plus let’s not forget Japanese gins.
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
