Fifty Pounds London Dry Gin
Fifty Pounds · Thames Distillers (Charles Maxwell)
In an era of elaborate botanical lists and flavored gins, Fifty Pounds goes the other direction — a small number of botanicals, distilled in deliberately small batches to keep the spirit focused and precise. Named for the punitive £50 tax imposed on gin production in 1736, this gin's restraint is both its philosophy and its strength.
Nose
Classic juniper leads firmly, backed by citrus peel — lemon and orange in equal measure. A subtle coriander warmth and faint violet emerge underneath, with a clean, almost austere minerality.
Palate
Juniper-forward and unapologetically dry. The mid-palate broadens with coriander seed, angelica root earthiness, and a hint of liquorice. Citrus zest stitches the botanicals together without overwhelming them.
Finish
Clean and crisp, with lingering juniper pine and a peppery warmth. Nothing overstays its welcome.
- Style
- London Dry
- Botanicals
- Juniper, Coriander, Angelica Root, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Liquorice, Savory
- Base Spirit
- Neutral grain spirit
- Distillation
- Single-shot distillation in a small copper pot still (300-bottle batches)
Cocktail Suggestion
Classic Martini — 2.5 oz Fifty Pounds Gin · 0.5 oz dry vermouth · Stir with ice for 30 seconds, strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with a lemon twist.
Food Pairing
The gin's clean minerality and juniper bite complement briny oysters with a squeeze of lemon and a mignonette of shallot and champagne vinegar.
Distilled by legendary gin-maker Charles Maxwell at Thames Distillers in Clapham, Fifty Pounds uses only four key botanicals in small 300-bottle batches, honoring an 18th-century recipe that prizes clarity over complexity.
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