City of London Distillery Murcian Orange Gin

The City of London Distillery opened in 2012, bringing small-batch gin-making back to the Square Mile, and this Murcian Orange expression is among its richer pours. Where its summery sibling the Six Bells goes bright and fresh, this one digs deeper, built around the bittersweet flesh of Murcian oranges. A careful botanical bill of juniper, coriander, angelica, liquorice and a trio of citrus peels gives the fruit, while cassia bark and cardamom add the spice and weight that set it apart.

The nose offers orange and juniper with a cool flick of menthol and a hint of cassia. The palate is strong and warm, bitter orange and juniper carrying that menthol coolness, into a long, silky finish with a faint nuttiness. With this much flavour it shines in a Negroni: equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari over ice, finished with an orange twist.