First Impressions
Langley Distillery in the West Midlands is one of England's most prolific gin distillers — a contract distillery producing dozens of brands. Langley's No.8 is their own label, named because it was the eighth recipe tried during development. Distilled in Connie, a small copper pot still named after the master distiller's mother, using eight botanicals sourced globally: Macedonian juniper, Bulgarian coriander, Spanish citrus peels, Indonesian cassia bark, Sri Lankan nutmeg, and two secret ingredients.
Tasting
Eight botanicals in Connie. The nose is juniper-rich with fragrant pine, lemon, and lavender. On the palate at 41.7%, juniper and coriander forward with distinctive sage notes. Delicate mid-palate sweetness with citrus. Toward the back, lingering liquorice, cracked black pepper, and spice. The finish is citrus and spicy zing with a faint white floral note.
The Bottom Line
Langley's No.8 earns a 7 — juniper fans will love this; the juniper 'just about destroys everything in its path', as one reviewer noted with evident pleasure. The century-old distillery expertise is evident in the balance of globally sourced botanicals. Best in a classic G&T or Martini where the juniper authority shines. At £26, exceptional value from England's most experienced gin distillery.
