First Impressions
Christian Jensen commissioned John Dore & Co to build a still and opened a distillery under a Bermondsey railway arch. The recipe comes from the 1800s — no cucumber, no rose, no grains of paradise, none of the contemporary flourishes. Italian juniper, coriander, orris root, angelica, liquorice, and citrus peels. The gin world called it 'one of the best gins of the last five years'. Perfect balance, lovely mouthfeel, a modernised classic.
Tasting
Classic botanicals only. The nose is clean piney juniper with parma violet, generous coriander, and citrus zest. On the palate at 43%, clean and dry with surprising earthy floral violet from the orris. Gentle spiced coriander, pine-forward yet gentle juniper. Subtle liquorice adds perceived sweetness. The finish is dry, clean, and authoritative.
The Bottom Line
Jensen's Bermondsey earns an 8 — a London Dry that proves the classic recipe needs no improvement. The parma violet from the orris is the quiet signature, and the liquorice adds softness without sweetness. Best in a Martini — fans call it the definitive Martini gin. At £30, an 1800s recipe from a railway arch that competes with gin's most famous names. The gin that tastes most like gin.
