Fords Gin London Dry Gin

Fords Gin was developed by Simon Ford in collaboration with the long-running Thames Distillers in London, designed first and foremost as a bartender's gin. Nine botanicals, including juniper, grapefruit peel, bitter orange peel, lemon peel, angelica root, coriander seed, jasmine, cassia bark and orris root, are macerated and distilled in a two-stage process to give an aromatic, dry yet complex spirit. At 45% it has the strength to hold its own in a stirred or shaken drink while staying smooth enough to enjoy on its own. The graduated bottle is a tidy bit of bar furniture in its own right.

The nose is juniper-accented with fresh citrus, floral notes and a spicy undertone. The palate is dry and balanced, classic juniper meeting citrus, mild spice, earthy depth and a touch of floral lightness, and the finish is long, clear and fresh. It makes a textbook Dry Martini; for something longer, pour a gin and tonic with Mediterranean tonic and a grapefruit zest.