Review: Gordon’s London Dry Gin  (84/100)
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Revised June 07, 2023

Alexander Gordon founded the Gin Distillery in London in 1769, and although the company is now part of the Diageo conglomerate, they have apparently remained true to their original Gin recipe which includes handpicked juniper berries and other secret botanicals. (According the company website, only 12 persons in the world know the secret recipe.)

Although Gordon’s Gin is about as typically English as gin can be, the version I am reviewing is distilled and made in Canada. (Apparently the gin is distilled to different bottling proofs for different markets, and for the North American market, Diageo has chosen to have the spirit made in Canada.)

My bottle of Gordon’s Gin is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

In the Bottle 4/5

Gordon’s Gin is not an expensive indulgence as it is quite affordable in my locale, selling for about thirty bucks at the LCBO. This means that I will not nit pick very much over the bottle presentation as I understand that affordability is more important than pretense. The bottle I am reviewing is a clear glass, flask style, 375 ml bottle with attractive labels and fonts which are pleasing to the eye.  (I have shown the more typical 750 ml bottle presentation to the left.)  I admit, I do not like the metal screw cap closure and would prefer a plastic one, but the rest of the bottle is actually an upgrade over most economy spirits.

In the Glass 8.5/10

I poured myself a small shot of the Gordon’s Gin and gave my glass a tilt and slow swirl. A light oily sheen was imparted on the inside of my glass, and to my surprise long slender legs developed. This is an indication of a mildly oily texture which should give this gin more finish than I was expecting.

As I nosed the glass, a firm piny juniper aroma climbed out into the breezes. This scent was quickly surrounded by sweeter lemon and lime citrus aromas. As well a light herbal aroma that reminds me of birch buds was hinted at. As well fine spices drifted upwards that were reminiscent of coriander and ginger. This is a juniper forward gin with a reputation for having a hard edge, yet at this point I am finding the traditional profile very appealing.

In the Mouth 51/60

Gordon’s Gin has an assertive flavour profile with a piny (and mildly bitter) juniper leading out in front. A Lightly sweet lemony citrus follows.  The gin is dry, and as I sip my glass, my mouth puckers. There are also mildly herbal undertones of wild elderberries and fresh birch sap. A light spiciness of coriander is present as are lightly minty impressions of menthol. Although I like what I am tasting, the gin is not really of sipping quality. The dry bitterness sneaks up and takes more than it gives.

So I mixed a few cocktails, a gimlet and a dry martini. The gimlet was fantastic, and you can find its recipe below as my recommended serving. A Gin Fizz would also work extremely well. The Martini was a bit of a challenge as that same dry bitterness which was evident when I was sipping was just as prevalent in the martini. Much better would have been a Vesper such that a dollop of vodka could help take the edge off.

In the Throat  12/15

The gin finishes with citrus and juniper flavours settling into the palate during and after the swallow. Bitterness settles in as well which kept the score down a little.

The Afterburn 8.5/10

Gordon’s London Dry Gin would not be the first gin I would serve a novice gin drinker; however, it certainly would be up for consideration if I was to serve a drink to an experienced gin aficionado. The stronger piny juniper flavour and the lasting bitterness would certainly appeal to those with a more experienced gin palate.

I first reviewed Gordon’s Gin twelve years ago when I was more of a novice with the piny spirit. Perhaps I am more hardened now, as my scoring has bumped up a notch. You may read some of my other Gin Reviews (click the link) if you wish to have some comparative reviews.

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Suggested Serving

Here is the Gimlet in it’s most basic form mixed with one of my favorite Dry Gins, No 3 London Dry Gin and fresh Lime Juice:

The Gimlet

2 oz Gordon’s Gin
3/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 oz Sugar Syrup (1:1 Ratio)
Ice
Lime Slice for garnish

Add the three main ingredients into a metal shaker with ice
Shake until the outside of the shaker begins to frost
Double strain into a Cocktail Glass
Float a Lime Slice on top
Enjoy

If  you are interested in more of my cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!

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My Final Score is out of 100 and you may (loosely) interpret that score as follows:

0-25     A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49   Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59  You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn’t.
60-69   Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74    Now we have a fair mixing spirit.  Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79    You may begin to serve this to friends, again probably still cocktail territory.
80-84    We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89    Excellent for sipping or for mixing!
90-94    Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+       I haven’t met this bottle yet…but I want to.

Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and  Bronze medal  scale as follows:

70 – 79.5    Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5     Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95         Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+            Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)