Thomas Dakin Gin
Thomas Dakin · G&J Distillers
Named for the 18th-century pioneer of English gin distillation, this expression doesn't chase floral trends. It's a juniper-forward gin with enough backbone to stand up in a martini and enough complexity to sip with just tonic and a twist. The kind of no-nonsense spirit that reminds you why classic gins endured.
Nose
Assertive juniper leads immediately, followed by bright lemon zest and a warming undercurrent of coriander seed. A subtle horseradish-like peppery note adds intrigue.
Palate
Bold and structured, with juniper driving through the midpalate alongside orange peel bitterness and a dry angelica root foundation. The spice builds toward ginger warmth, and the mouthfeel carries a slight oiliness that gives it weight.
Finish
Clean and dry, with lingering juniper and a peppery fade. Refreshingly bitter at the tail end.
- Style
- London Dry style
- Botanicals
- Juniper, coriander, angelica root, orange peel, lemon peel, red cole horseradish, liquorice
- Base Spirit
- Neutral grain spirit
- Distillation
- One-shot distillation in a copper pot still
Cocktail Suggestion
Dakin's Dry Martini — 2.5 oz Thomas Dakin Gin · 0.5 oz dry vermouth · 1 dash orange bitters · Stir over ice for 30 seconds, strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with a lemon twist.
Food Pairing
The gin's juniper backbone and peppery finish cut through the richness of smoked trout rillettes, while the citrus notes complement the traditional caper and cornichon accompaniments.
Produced at G&J Distillers in Warrington — the oldest continuous gin distillery in England — Thomas Dakin honors the man who built the original still there in 1761, using a recipe anchored by red cole horseradish alongside classic botanicals.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Opihr Oriental Spiced London Dry Gin
Opihr
Opihr channels the ancient spice routes into a London Dry framework with remarkable coherence. The pepper-forward warmth and exotic botanical blend make it a natural fit for the 'Warmth Before Silence' theme — it glows with lingering spice heat that fades into a contemplative, quiet finish. An accessible yet genuinely distinctive gin that rewards slow sipping as much as mixing.
Boodles British London Dry Gin
Boodles
Boodles is a gin that draws its charcoal line by what it leaves out. No citrus peel in the botanical mix means the juniper and spice backbone is laid bare. At 45.2% ABV, it has the spine for a proper Martini and the discipline to let vermouth do the talking. Exceptional value.
Brockman's Orange Kiss Gin
Brockmans
Brockmans Orange Kiss takes the brand's fruit-forward philosophy and sharpens it around a single citrus theme. It's a gin that works brilliantly in a spritz but has enough botanical structure to stand up in a Martini variation. The lower proof keeps it sessionable without diluting the aromatics.
Tulchan Speyside London Dry Gin
Tulchan
Tulchan Speyside London Dry Gin is a beautifully composed Scottish gin that marries classic London Dry architecture with the quiet confidence of its Speyside origins. It radiates warmth without demanding attention, making it equally compelling neat or as the backbone of a contemplative cocktail. A gin that speaks softly but carries remarkable depth.
Isle of Raasay Hebridean Gin
Isle of Raasay
Isle of Raasay Hebridean Gin is a study in clarity through constraint — a tight botanical bill drawn from the island's own terrain, distilled with disciplined intent. It proves that limitation breeds focus: every botanical earns its place, nothing competes, and the result is a gin of luminous transparency. A quiet triumph from one of Scotland's most purposeful young distilleries.
New Riff Distilling Kentucky Wild Gin
New Riff Distilling
New Riff's Kentucky Wild Gin is a beautifully aerated spirit—distilled with a thoughtful openness to the botanicals' natural character. It's proof that a whiskey-focused distillery can channel that same reverence for terroir and process into a gin of real poise and clarity. A versatile, sippable gin that breathes Kentucky air.
Cadenhead's Old Raj Dry Gin
Cadenhead's
Old Raj is a gin of rare character—the saffron infusion turns a classic juniper-forward profile into something genuinely singular, perfect for the waning warmth of November. Its navy strength makes it a commanding presence in cocktails or neat, and its Scottish provenance from one of the oldest independent bottlers in the world lends quiet authority. A gin that feels like the last golden light before winter.