Alexander Gordon & Co, Cameronbridge Distillery, Windygates, Leven, Fife, Scotland (Diageo Company), London, England, UK.

Gordon’s Gin and Diageo.

Established 1769 by Alexander Gordon (of Scottish descent and the same year he married) in Southwark, London, UK. It is believed Gordon’s were possibly the first but certainly the early founders of the London Dry category of Gin. Alexander was followed by 2 further generations until Charles Gordon sold the company in 1877 to John Currie and Co. In 1898 they merged with Charles Tanqueray and Co (to form Tanqueray Gordon & Co.) making it the world’s largest gin company at that time. In 1941 their London Distillery was destroyed in a German bombing raid and the only piece to survive was a copper pot still called “Old Tom”, now over 200 years old.

The Distillers Company Ltd (DCL) bought them in 1922 and in 1986 Guiness bought DCL, creating United Distillers (UD) a year later. In 1997 UD merged with Grand Metropolitan to create Diageo. In 1998 all production for Gordon’s Gin was moved from England to Fife in Scotland. Diageo sell in over 180 countries and truly are worldwide.

The Gordon’s brand is the top-selling gin in nearly every European market and the number two selling gin in the world (Ginebra San Miguel currently holds top spot). 100 million bottles of Gordon’s gin are produced each year and it is sold in 150 countries across the globe – this is a tough act to follow – their slogan back in the 1970’s wasn’t far wrong: “It’s got to be Gordon’s”.

This luxury version of the gin was released in 2004 and we believe it was discontinued in 2009.

The base spirit is probably made from locally grown wheat, is distilled twice, followed by a third & final distillation with botanicals - carried out in copper pot stills using 100% natural ingredients. The Gin is presented in clear rectangular bottles with white labels and silver writing.

London Dry Gin.

40% (80 Proof).

No longer available but if you find a bottle, at $30 to $40 it would be a steal but, don’t be surprised if its $75, even $100!

9 botanicals are used - the 7 standard botanicals from the original Gordon’s: angelica root, coriander seeds, juniper berries, lemon peel, liquorice, orange peel and orris root; plus 2 additional ones: ginger and lemongrass.

Named after the original founder, Alexander Gordon, and the choice of a higher quality of Gin taken from the distillation process.

On the nose is pine (juniper), citrus (lemongrass) and spicy ginger. Medium bodied, the palate discerns juniper, citrus (we identified lemon, lemongrass and orange) and gingery spice. This closes with a long citrus, peppery and spicy finish - fairly similar to the original Gordon’s finish.

By comparison to the Original Gordon’s this is smoother and much softer and the classic London Dry Gin profile is moved into the background by the grassy green lemongrass and the rather good ginger. This makes for a good Gin & Tonic and a pleasant Martini, albeit the flavor profiles are different and unexpected, compared to the norm. This is well worth trying; we certainly miss the gingery G&T and wish it would be brought back. One can only surmise sales proved poor and perhaps the market was just not open enough; only a few years later and the Gin marketplace is opening up considerably – perhaps our wish may have a glimmer of a chance of becoming a reality (crossed fingers).

Unknown.