86 Co. Ford's London Dry Gin (75cl, 45%)

Ford's London Dry Gin is a juniper-forward gin from 86 Co., distilled at Thames Distillers in London and bottled at 45% vol. It was designed as a bartender's gin, for cocktails and for sipping neat. Nine botanicals are steeped for 15 hours before distillation in copper pot stills: juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, orris root, cassia bark, jasmine flower, lemon peel, bitter orange peel and grapefruit peel. The long steep gives a rich, viscous texture. The nose is juniper, coriander and citrus oils with jasmine and faint vanilla. The palate is full and slightly oily, with juniper, coriander spice, grapefruit and bitter orange. The finish is long, with grapefruit rind, juniper and jasmine.