What the experts say about Gilpin's Gin...
Reviews

Evening Standard: "Best London Gins for a G&T"
Distilled in London using the traditional pot still method where botanicals are steeped in quadruple-distilled English grain spirit, Gilpin’s is a truly artisan British brand. What sets this bottle apart from the rest is the use of sage and borage botanicals for the first time in a London Dry Gin. Look out for the extra dry taste.
The Gin is In: "Nicely balanced character"
Tasting Notes
The Nose is rather classic in character. Notes of juniper and citrus.
Lemon predominates and it clearly states its position as a dry gin right up front.
The taste is sharp and piquant with an emphasized drying sensation.
It does indeed taste a bit more of its strength on the palette, there is a pronounced alcohol burn, although tightly bound between the initial juniper burst and the dry earthy tail.
The gin has a silky, oily character and each of the clearly delineated botanicals takes a moment in the spotlight.
Begins with juniper, before shifting to citrus. That’s where the burn comes in and a faint hint of borage, then it leaves you with a coriander spice and an earthy character indicative or Angelica.
Frank about Food: "Perfect in a Gin and Tonic"
Gilpins Gin is delicious – it’s a really dry gin with just eight botanicals, and skips some of the sweeter flavourings found in many new gins...
Perfect in a Gin and Tonic with lemon rather than the ubiquitous lime, and delicious in a Gibson.
The Rum Howler: "The way traditional gin is meant to taste"
In the Bottle 4.5/5
Gilpin’s arrives in the solid rectangular bottle shown to the left. The label is a professional affair with fonts that are clear and easy to read. The Wild Boar symbol of the Gilpin Family is displayed at the top of the label, and the bottom of the label includes some useful bottling information pertaining to the gin’s bottling. My particular bottle was produced in 2014, from batch No. 15/001A. The bottle number is 4223.
The presentation is quite nice, and I have scored it well.
In the Glass 9/10
When I poured the gin into my glencairn glass I immediately noticed the spirit featured a classic juniper forward nose accented very nicely by citrus zest. The power of the 47 % alcohol by volume bottling strength is apparent as the juniper and citrus spice aroma is unrelenting. A very faint floral quality is present which seems to temper the citrus push, and I seem to catch an underlying earthiness which softens the juniper but does not diminish it.
I am pleased by the firm aroma in the breezes above the glass.
In the Mouth 54/60
I taste a firm push of juniper chased by zesty citrus peel and spicy coriander (perhaps peppery sage as well). This is followed by wisps of lightly bittersweet (more bitter than sweet certainly), earthy chocolate-like flavours (which would seem to be the influence of the angelica root). The overall flavour, like the aroma, is firm. Despite the firmness of these major flavours, everything works very well together as an ever so light herbal sweetness holds the strong flavours together. If I add ice to my glass the bitter chocolate flavour becomes more pronounced, yet the light sweetness does not diminish. In my mind, this is the way traditional gin is meant to taste.
I quickly decide to mix a Gin and Tonic, and there is absolutely no reason not to mix another. Martinis are next on the agenda (the following day of course), and I discover that using a Spanish olive works wonderfully (see recipe below). I am sure that many more classic recipes will also work well with the Gilpin’s as this is without a doubt one of the finest traditional gins I have tasted.
In the Throat 13.5/15
Coriander and sage seem to have more expression in the finish giving the gin a nice spicy peppery bite which works well in cocktails. A pithy bitterness follows which lingers upon the palate bringing back those impressions of dark bitter chocolate. (This really is much nicer than it sounds.)
The Afterburn 9.5/10
Everything about Gilpin’s is classic. The juniper leads out in front and does not relent. Classic citrus zest combined with coriander and sage give the gin a lively mouth-feel and wonderful lightly spiced finish. Then the earthy bitterness of angelica root caps the experience. I think what ties everything together so beautifully is an ever-present light sweetness that allows all of these aggressive flavours to assert themselves without ever overwhelming the palate. If you like traditional London Dry Gin, then Gilpin’s Westmorland Extra Dry Gin is one that is sure to please.
Distiller (Stephanie Moreno): "Warming and savory"
4.5 out of 5 stars
Tasting Notes
"Sage and juniper come through first with a little coriander and citrus coming next. The gin leans towards earthy notes save for the spicy juniper and the citrus which helps to balance the gin so that it isn't too bitter. It is warming and savory which seem to lend it well to a Gibson Martini."
Added by Stephanie Moreno
Score90
Gin Rag: "Super sophisticated and refined"
As a former holder of the title of World’s Best Gin, Gilpin’s has a lot to live up to. Made using eight botanicals, most are your traditional options - juniper, coriander, angelica root, bitter orange, lime and lemon peels – but a couple stand out from the group – sage and borage.
As an unashamedly classic London Dry, juniper is unsurprisingly the stand-out flavour when tasting Gilpin’s. However, that’s not to say there aren’t any other flavours, and indeed it is the balance of the gin that you really notice. Herby, earthy notes are subtle, but definitely there, followed by an extra dry finish.
If you like you’re traditional London Dry gins, Gilpin’s is hard to beat – a super sophisticated and refined option with tonic, in cocktails or straight.
Mater of Malt: "Top-quality spirit"
Gilpin's Westmorland Extra Dry Gin is a top-quality spirit with a rich history. Named after George Gilpin, it dates back to 1668 when Gilpin was sent to the Netherlands by Oliver Cromwell. There, Gilpin found 'genever', a Dutch drink, and brought it back to England. This drink later became known as gin.
The name "Westmorland" refers to an ancient county in north-west England, now part of Cumbria. This name links the gin to England's scenic landscapes, known for beautiful lakes and mountains. Gilpin's gin captures this pristine nature in its flavour.
The gin's unique taste comes from a blend of botanicals like juniper, sage, borage, and citrus peels. These ingredients give a balanced flavour that is both classic and modern. It has a dry taste, typical of London Dry gins, appealing to those who like less sweet gins.
Gilpin's gin is made using traditional methods in small batches. This ensures high quality. Distillation in a pot still, a skilled and time-consuming method, adds to the flavour's depth and complexity.
The gin's aroma is clean and aromatic, hinting at its botanicals. Tasting it reveals a dry, crisp flavour. Juniper berries lead, followed by herbal and citrus notes for a refreshing finish.
Gilpin's gin is versatile. It's great in a classic gin and tonic, where its botanical flavours stand out. It's also a solid base for dry gin cocktails.
Gin Observer: "Modern classic"
Gilpin’s Westmorland Extra Dry Gin is a modern classic style London Dry Gin. Made from pure English grain spirit pot-distilled with just eight botanicals. This is a gin crafted for true gin lovers. Classic – in that it places juniper in the forefront. Modern – with its use of new botanicals such as sage, borage and bitter (Seville) orange.
Summer Fruit Cup: "Excellent"
Gilpin’s Gin is an excellent addition to the gin market and is a new favourite of mine. Its main asset is that it’s very dry, whilst retaining a fresh character with a crisp citrus element. My favourite drink was easily the Martini, although there was a host of other tasty drinks, too.
The Tipple Cellar: "Unrivalled quality"
Gilpin's Westmorland Extra Dry Gin is a tribute to the craft of gin-making, made with precise care and accuracy. This gin is a wonderful joy for discerning gin enthusiasts, made from pure English grain spirit and pot-distilled with only eight botanicals.
This super-premium London Dry Gin is created in historic pot stills in the heart of London, utilising wonderful spring water obtained from Cartmel in the gorgeous Lake District. It's a gin that epitomises English workmanship and tradition. Among the botanicals carefully chosen are the classic juniper, which provides the basic gin taste, and the beautifully English borage and sage, which add unique and aromatic layers of flavour.
The end result is a gin of unrivalled quality and flavour.
One Cellar: "An impressive extra dry gin"
Overall: Gilpin's Gin knows what it's setting out to achieve and then does it. An impressive extra dry gin. SERVING SUGGESTION G&T Garnish: Orange Peel or Lemon & Sage Serving Suggestion: Gin & Tonic, Martini or Gibson.