Bombay Original London Dry Gin

The Bottle: Despite not being as well-known as it’s blue-hued brother, the standard Bombay Dry Gin bottle follows the standard Bombay recipe of being squat and rectangular. There’s some nice information about the recipe on the back, including the botanicals that are used; but it’s otherwise unremarkable. Which is fine, since it should live in your freezer anyway. In the Glass: It’s gin, it’s clear. It’s a touch more viscous than water but not as much as a few vodka’s that I’ve come across. The Nose: Smooth juniper with a lot of floral notes. This has a really “open” kind of aroma going for it that is a nice weave of all of the botanicals in play. Nothing really stands out and smacks you about it. I picture the botanicals as old men sitting around a table playing cards talking quietly. They’re all there, but no one is trying to grab the spotlight. Taste: My first take on this is that it comes off tasting like the ABV is higher than 43%, there’s a distinct alcohol note to this. It dies down a bit during the development, giving way to a mix of juniper and botanicals (coriander and licorice root takes the lead for my palate). The finish starts off with a certain amount of alcohol astringency, but turns sweet over time. The alcohol note though never really seems to vanish, it’s present across the entire flavor profile. For the money, this is a good option in the London Dry library. It would work just fine in any cocktail that called for it, but I wouldn’t recommend this as a sipper.

Tried the 86 proof (43% ABV) bottling. Chilled (from the freezer) neat - sample may have been too cold as there was no aroma detectable. Flavor was softer than other gins, juniper was forward followed by a short citrus note and then a surprising heat from the alcohol and a licorice sweetness. 2nd airline bottle was mixed 2:1 with Dolin Dry and ~2 dashes Angostura Orange bitters. The softness was much more obvious. Juniper was there but was quickly overtaken by the vermouth. The sweet from the licorice was accented. Not a happy mix at this level, very much out of balance. May require a 4:1 or 5:1 mix to obtain the needed balance.

A crisp, London Dry Gin by Bombay Sapphire Distillery in White Church, United Kingdom crafted with 8 botanicals: juniper berries, almond, lemon zest, licorice, orris root, angelica root, coriander seeds & cassia bark & bottled at 37.5% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of pine, coriander, & anise; while a fresh life adds notes of juniper, fresh lemon & rosemary; that led to a refreshing & balanced death of medium length. February / August 2023

Bombay London Dry Gin 43 % is everything you would want in a gin. Traditional aromas of juniper, coriander, and coriander greet the nose. The entry is smooth with a palate of juniper and licorice. The finish ends with a burst of coriander and citrus with a hint of vanilla. It is great straight and mixed. Gin and tonic is crisp, and the martini with Noilly Prat Extra Dry in equal portions with this gin is my favorite martini.

Botanical, herbal, earthy nose-very green and a hint spicy. The botanicals on the back are well blended and even, with a few being mildly individually detectable, but nothing really standing out. So it comes off relatively neutral. Lightly sweet with a good herbal kick to the back of the palate. Solid everyday gin.

Tastes of pine tree, down to the leaves, bitter bark and soil. It's earthy and forward, with loads of juniper on the tongue and the finish. It's distinct, and you will be tasting it in whatever drink you mix it in. I like to use this when I mix with sweeter liqueurs as it cuts through and balances out well.