Beefeater London Dry Gin, England

The spirit is quintessentially juniper‑driven, with crisp citrus notes and underlying spice emerging from a carefully maintained recipe. It delivers reliable balance and versatility, embodying the character of a classic London Dry gin.

Product Details:

• ABV: 40 % (80 proof)
• Base spirit: 100 % grain neutral spirit distilled to over 96 % ABV
• Botanicals (nine): juniper, coriander seeds, angelica root & seeds, liquorice, almonds, orris root, Seville orange peel, lemon peel
• Distillation: botanicals steeped for approximately 24 hours before pot distillation in traditional copper stills at Kennington, London
• First marketed: 1876 under the Beefeater name
• Current owner: Pernod Ricard
• Production scale: approximately 2.5 million cases per year (≈29 million bottles)

Sensory Description:

Clean, crisp and juniper-forward, with fresh citrus lifted by coriander and angelica spice. The nose reveals juniper balanced by lemon and orange peel, with herbal floral notes from orris and almond. On the palate the gin is gently sweet and spicy, with licorice root and subtle woody depths. The finish is citrusy pine with a touch of warmth from white pepper and ginger-like spice.

Distiller’s Background:

Founded by pharmacist James Burrough in London in the 1860s, the brand took its name in 1876. While Beefeater traces its heritage to the Chelsea Distillery opened in 1820, it has been based in Kennington since 1958, making it the only major London Dry gin still distilled in London. Master Distiller Desmond Payne, honored with an MBE in 2018 for services to the gin industry, has upheld the historic recipe with minimal change, preserving its traditional character while adapting to modern palates.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve chilled (around 45–50 °F) with premium Indian tonic water and ice in a tall glass; garnish with fresh lemon and orange peel to highlight citrus notes. Ideal in a classic Gin & Tonic, martini, or French 75, its dryness and botanical structure balance sweetness and effervescence beautifully. Also excellent in a Negroni or other citrus-forward cocktails where a solid juniper core adds complexity.