English Gin Collection
Discover the finest English gins from artisan distilleries across England
| Gin & Distillery | Strength & Style | Botanical Profile | Tasting Experience | Perfect For... |
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Forest Distillery Gin
Artisan gin from the heart of Macclesfield Forest
London Dry BUY NOW
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42% Alc. Traditional style Small batch |
Juniper Coriander Angelica Orris Root Classic London Dry botanicals with perfect balance |
Nose: Clean juniper, citrus peel Palate: Crisp, dry, well-balanced Finish: Clean, traditional gin character |
• Classic G&T lovers • Gin purists • Martini making • Traditional cocktails |
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The Lakes Gin
Lake District botanicals meet gin craftsmanship
Contemporary BUY NOW
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46% Alc. Contemporary style Premium strength |
Juniper Elderflower Meadowsweet Damson Local Lake District botanicals create unique terroir |
Nose: Floral, elderflower, fresh Palate: Smooth, fruity, elegant Finish: Long, with distinctive Lake District character |
• Premium G&T enthusiasts • Floral gin lovers • Lake District visitors • Sophisticated cocktails |
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Ealing Distillery London Dry Gin
West London's award-winning artisan gin
London Dry BUY NOW
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47% Alc. London Dry style High strength |
Juniper Coriander Cassia Bark Orange Peel Bold, spicy profile with warming botanicals |
Nose: Spicy, warming, citrus Palate: Bold, complex, well-structured Finish: Spicy warmth, satisfying depth |
• Bold gin drinkers • Neat sipping • Strong cocktails • Winter G&Ts |
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Adnams Smidgin Gin
Concentrated gin designed for low-alcohol G&Ts
Low-Alc Mixer BUY NOW
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50% Alc. Concentrated strength 20cl bottle |
Juniper Cardamom Coriander Citrus Peel 10x botanical concentration for maximum flavour impact |
Nose: Intense juniper, citrus Palate: Concentrated botanicals, crisp Finish: Clean, authentic gin character |
• Low-alcohol G&T lovers • Reducing alcohol intake • 80 serves per bottle • Award-winning innovation |
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Cooper King Dry Gin
Yorkshire's sustainable distillery gin
Modern Dry BUY NOW
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42% Alc. Modern style Sustainable production |
Juniper Cardamom Honey Orange Yorkshire honey and carefully selected botanicals |
Nose: Honey sweetness, spice, citrus Palate: Smooth, honeyed, well-balanced Finish: Gentle spice, warming honey notes |
• Sustainable spirit supporters • Smooth cocktails • Yorkshire pride • Modern gin styles |
Alex's Selection Guide: For gin newcomers, start with Forest Distillery - its traditional London Dry character is stylish and perfectly balanced. Ealing's bold strength makes it ideal for those who love their gin with character. For anyone wanting to reduce their alcohol intake without losing gin flavour, Adnams Smidgin is revolutionary - just 2.5ml creates a full-strength G&T taste at only 0.6% alcohol. Cooper King Distillery's gins offer sustainable options, so you can drink gin and do good at the same time!Understanding English Gin
English gin covers a broad spectrum - from the perfect marriage of classic botanicals in a traditional London Dry Gin to modern contemporary innovations using less common herbs and spices. Each gin in this collection demonstrates why English Gin continues to lead experimentation globally whilst never losing sight of the classic juniper-forward profile that defines quality gin.
Regional Characteristics in English Gin
English gin distilleries often incorporate local and regional botanicals alongside local water sources. The Lakes Distillery gin uses meadowsweet and elderflower to create distinctive floral notes. Cooper King Distillery in Yorkshire uses local honey for a smooth, warming character. With hundreds of gin distilleries in England alone, regional differences are generally secondary to stylistic choices made by the individual distillery.
Innovation in English Gin Production
English gin leads global innovation whilst respecting tradition. Adnams' concentrated Smidgin gin delivers full flavour at lower alcohol content, perfect for health-conscious consumers. Sustainable distilleries like Cooper King are maximising environmental responsibility whilst not compromising on exceptional quality.
Botanical Quality and Sourcing
Quality English gin distilleries prioritise the sourcing of premium botanicals and achieving balance in the final product. Traditional botanicals like juniper, coriander, and angelica root provide the backbone, while local additions create regional distinction. Ealing Gin's botanicals aim to reflect the verdant gardens and plant life of south-West London. Forest Distillery maintains classic London Dry purity whilst incorporating local ingredients such as Wild Bilberries, Peak District Moss and Ferns. Each distillery balances tradition with innovation.
How to Choose Your English Gin
For Classic Gin Lovers
Forest Distillery London Dry provides perfect traditional gin character with clean juniper focus and balanced botanicals. This classic approach suits gin purists who appreciate proper London Dry standards without unnecessary complexity. Ideal for classic G&Ts and traditional martinis where gin character should shine clearly.
For Premium Gin Enthusiasts
The Lakes Gin delivers sophisticated complexity with Lake District botanicals creating unique English terroir. The higher 46% strength and premium botanicals are perfect for special occasions and use in premium cocktails. Cooper King's smooth Yorkshire character is bold and characterful - ideal in a full flavoured G&T and garnished with rosemary.
For Bold Gin Drinkers
Ealing Distillery's 47% strength and spicy botanical profile delivers serious gin character perfect for neat sipping or strong cocktails. The warming cassia bark and bold juniper create satisfying depth that stands up to ice dilution and strong mixers. Perfect for evening G&Ts and gin-forward cocktails.
For Innovation Seekers
Adnams Smidgin packs a lot of flavour into a small bottle - with a proprietary 10x botanical concentration, it makes low-alcohol G&Ts without compromising on flavour. One 20cl bottle creates 80 servings, making it both economical and environmentally conscious. Perfect for health-conscious gin lovers wanting full flavour with reduced alcohol intake.
English Gin Serving and Cocktail Guide
Perfect G&T Combinations
Forest Distillery pairs beautifully with premium tonic and lemon peel for classic G&T perfection. The Lakes Gin works excellently with elderflower tonic and fresh blackberries, complementing its Lake District botanicals. Ealing's spicy character suits bold tonics with an orange peel garnish. Cooper King's honey notes pair wonderfully with Mediterranean tonic and fresh thyme.
Premium Cocktail Applications
Classic London Dry gins like Forest excel in traditional martinis where a pure gin character is essential. Premium gins like The Lakes work beautifully in contemporary cocktails, while bold gins like Ealing suit gin-forward drinks like negronis where the gin needs to hold its own against strong flavours.
Innovative Serving Suggestions
Adnams Smidgin creates perfect low-alcohol G&Ts using just 5ml gin with premium tonic for full flavour at reduced strength. Generally, premium gins are delicious sipped neat with ice, but all expressions work well in seasonal cocktails incorporating complementary British ingredients and garnishes. All our gins benefit from a quality tonic water if you are opting for a G&T!
Frequently Asked Questions About English Gin
London Dry has nothing to do with being made in London, but describes a specific production process. It does not allow anything to be added after distillation other than neutral spirit and/or water. The gin flavour must be entirely created in the distillation process. Contemporary gins have more flexibility to move beyond the straight juniper-focused aromas and flavours with the addition of other botanicals, spices and herbs.
Building Your English Gin Collection
This curated selection showcases a spread of different gin styles, from classic London Dry to innovative low-alcohol solutions. Try one from each style: Forest for a classic London Dry with a local twist, The Lakes for premium regional character, Ealing for bold complexity, Cooper King for sustainable quality, and Smidgin for innovative low-alcohol enjoyment.
Occasion Matching and Gift Recommendations
Forest Distillery's gins suit everyday G&Ts and classic cocktail making. The Lakes provides premium gift appeal with beautiful bottles and Lake District provenance. Ealing works for serious gin enthusiasts wanting bold, complex flavours. Cooper King appeals to environmentally conscious drinkers appreciating sustainable practices. Smidgin offers innovative gifting for health-conscious friends wanting full gin flavour with reduced alcohol.
For entertaining: Forest Gin for reliable crowd-pleasing G&Ts, The Lakes for premium serves, and Ealing for strong cocktails. For personal enjoyment: explore regional differences and botanical innovations that showcase English gin's diversity and quality leadership in global spirits.
Why Choose These English Gins?
Digital Distiller selected these five expressions to showcase English gin's versatile range. Each gin encapsulates genuine quality and distinctive character over mass-market appeal. Each bottle represents the skill and creativity of English gin makers who respect tradition whilst pushing boundaries in botanical innovation, sustainable practices, and serving versatility.