Review

City of London Gin

The City of London Gin Company Ltd., Christopher Hayman of Hayman Distillers Ltd. (and Thames Distillery), London - although the production and storage is in Witham, Essex, England, UK. Imported into the USA by Pacific Edge Marketing Group Inc., Agoura Hills, California.

Hayman Distillers and Pacific Edge Sales.

Haymans have been distilling Gin in London for 150 years and started with James Burroughs (of Beefeater Gin fame) as James Burroughs Ltd. The company was sold in 1987 to Whitbread, although part of the business was retained and renamed Hayman’s. Today Christopher Hayman is supported by his son (James) and daughter (Miranda), the great-great-grandchildren of James Burroughs. This is the longest serving family owned gin distiller in England today.

This Gin was devised and launched in 2006.

Small batch and pot distilled five times.

Presented in a clear tall rectangular bottle with a large blue label depicting a hand drawn scene from the London (including St. Pauls Cathedral). The export version (47% ABV) has gold colored trimming and writing. The domestic (40% ABV) version’s is similar but has differences including white writing plus red and white colored trimming.

London Dry Gin.

47% (94 Proof) for the USA market; 40% (80 proof) in other markets.

$ - $$. Not widely available in the USA but try online: Bevmo, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, Beltramo’s or Merwin Liquors.

9 botanicals are used including: angelica seed, cassia bark, cinnamon, coriander, juniper berries, lemon peel, nutmeg, orange peel and orris root.

The City of London has a long history and association with Gin, and London Dry Gin in particular. Whilst Gin originated from Holland, London can still be said to be the “Spiritual home” of Gin and given Hayman’s heritage with London the choice of name seems very apt.

On the nose there is a clean pine (juniper) and citrus (lemon) aroma with a faint hint of spice. On the palate this very lightly sweet spirit (tastes almost like it contains liquorice) has strong dry juniper up front supported by an overt lemon flavor with more spice coming through. The close is smooth and dry with lemon and spice (cinnamon and nutmeg).

This is a traditional London Dry Gin with a relatively good level of smoothness considering the price point. In a Gin and Tonic, Martini etc. it is well used as an everyday drink. This is a good all round budget Gin and has great value in this role.

Unknown.