Masons has quietly built one of Yorkshire's more credible gin operations, and The Original Dry is the expression that started it all. Positioned as a London Dry at 42% ABV, this is a gin that signals intent without shouting about it — a solid, category-faithful spirit designed to do the fundamentals well rather than chase novelty.
A London Dry With Regional Pride
What interests me about Masons is the business positioning. Yorkshire has become increasingly crowded with craft distillers, and planting your flag with a straightforward London Dry rather than a pink, flavoured, or barrel-aged variant takes a certain confidence. The Original Dry doesn't need a gimmick; it needs to be competent in a G&T and reliable behind a bar. At 42% ABV, it sits at the lighter end of the London Dry spectrum — accessible rather than assertive, which is a commercial decision as much as a stylistic one.
The "Original" designation tells you this is Masons' foundation expression, the one everything else in the range is measured against. For a brand building a portfolio, that matters. It has to be versatile enough to work across serves without being so distinctive that it alienates casual drinkers. At £35.25, the pricing is competitive for the craft segment — not bargain-shelf, but not asking you to remortgage either. It sits in that sensible middle ground where independent retailers and cocktail bars can both justify the shelf space.
I'd score this a 7.2 out of 10. It's a well-judged London Dry that does what it promises, though it operates in a category where standing out requires more than reliability alone.
Best Served
Classic G&T with a premium Indian tonic and a twist of grapefruit peel. This is the kind of London Dry that bartenders reach for when they want something clean and dependable that won't fight the mixer. It would also hold its own in a Martini for those who prefer a softer, less juniper-forward style.
