This year looks set to be a great one for London Dry lovers, starting with two very contrasting new brands.

No.3 is a 46% abv gin that comes in with botanical guns blazing, big on grapefruit zest, peppery juniper, coriander and sweet fresh fennel bulb notes on the nose, with powerful coriander / cardamom characters on the palate that mellow to a lemon meringue finish.
Made with just five botanicals in a collaboration between Berry Bros & Rudd and distillers in Holland, it’s a no-messing gents’ gin that makes an invigorating G&T.

Rather duskier is SW4, an aromatic, savoury 40% abv gin made with 13 botanicals in small batches at Thames Distillers. Big and spicy on the nose, it’s got lots of texture and intrigue – a little like rye bread in places – with cardamom, spicy cassia and smooth, earthy orris that are lifted at the finish by subtle menthol and citrus notes.
Makes a drier G&T and no doubt a great Negroni.

No.3: RRP £30/70cl. Inspirit, 020 7739 1333. SW4: RRP £16.49/70cl. Park Place Drinks, 01259 743848

News item from Imbibe.com, 03-02-2010