Plymouth Original Strength Dry Gin

Plymouth has been distilled at the Black Friars Distillery since 1793, the oldest continuously working gin distillery in England, and its style is its own protected thing, rounder and more earthy than London Dry. The recipe is deliberately spare: just seven hand-picked botanicals, juniper, coriander, cardamom, angelica root, orange and lemon peel and orris root. That restraint, plus the local soft water, gives it a smoothness the Navy's officers prized for generations.

The nose is juniper-led with fine citrus, earthy spice and a light sweetness. The palate is soft and balanced, fresh citrus and gentle juniper meeting spicy cardamom and a subtle sweetness, before a pleasantly dry, lightly spiced finish. A natural for a Martini, or a G&T with Mediterranean tonic and a sprig of rosemary.