Sipsmith London Dry Gin 41.6%

When Sipsmith fired up its copper still in 2009, it was the first to do so in London in nearly two hundred years, a moment that helped light the fuse on the whole craft gin movement. The recipe is a model of restraint: ten carefully chosen botanicals, among them juniper, coriander seeds, angelica root, cinnamon, lemon peel and liquorice, distilled in small batches under a craftsman's eye. It is unsweetened and unflavoured, a true London Dry, and decorated with international awards including San Francisco silver.

The nose is juniper-led with citrus, floral nuance and a spicy background. The palate is dry and classic, dominant juniper threaded with fresh citrus and a light liquorice spice. The finish is clean and long, elegantly dry with a gentle herbal freshness. It is the natural choice for a crisp G&T with a lemon twist, and just as at home in a Martini, Negroni or Tom Collins.