James Burrough Ltd (Pernod-Ricard Group), Montford Place Distillery, Kennington, London, England, UK.

Beefeater Gin and Pernod Ricard.

Beefeater Gin was first produced at the Chelsea Distillery (established 1820) in the late 1870’s by pharmacist and tea merchant James Burrough, it was originally known as Burrough’s. The Burrough’s family sold the company to Whitbread in 1987; Whitbread sold the Beefeater brand to Allied Domeqq in 1991; and Allied Domeqq were purchased by Pernod Ricard in 2005.

Launched for a limited run in Summer 2011, this was created by Master Distiller Desmond Payne following his trip to the modern London market and the botanicals he brought back. It was marketed primarily in Spain and the UK (plus Bulgaria and Turkey), and has not made it to the USA. It seems, there are no plans to produce any more – so, once it’s gone, it’s gone!

The same family-held base recipe is used, with the same production techniques using a maize and barley grain base spirit. The botanicals are steeped for 24 hours, before slowly redistilling inefficiently in copper pot stills, this labor-intensive method taking about 7 - 8 hours for each final distillation.

We are informed the Beefeater distillery is due to open its doors in 2013, with a visitor’s center for the general public.

London Dry Gin.

40% (80 Proof).

$$ - $$$. You might be able to snap up a bottle from the Whisky Exchange in the UK, but be prepared to double the price to have it shipped to the US. 

The classic 9 Beefeater Botanicals are used: angelica roots and seeds, coriander seeds, juniper berries, liquorice, orris root, Seville orange peel, Spanish almonds and Spanish lemon peel; plus 3 additional ones: cardamom, kaffir lime leaves and pomegranate.

Please note: despite the name there are no animal based products in this; or used in the production there of; it is completely vegetarian and vegan friendly (as confirmed by Beefeater Gin themselves)!

It changed its name from Burrough’s Gin to Beefeater’s Gin, to associate itself with the Yeomanry Guard and Warders of the Tower of London, and thus emphasise its London roots. The yeomanry were created in 1485 from experienced military personnel, to guard prisoners and the crown jewels held in the tower. No one is sure where the nickname originated but one belief is they were permitted to eat the King’s beef (possibly as part payment for their services).

This was inspired by James Burrough’s frequent trips to the London markets in search of ingredients for his spirits.

This is unknown to us but we are told:

The nose and palate picks up the same notes as for the standard Beefeater Gin, except the palate detects the strong cardamom, as a peppery spice and as perfume in the aroma. A slight fruity and earthy bitterness, from the pomegranate, plus it might be possible to identify a slightly higher level of citrus.

Unknown.