Opihr Oriental Spiced London Dry Gin occupies a fascinating position within the London Dry category. Where most expressions in this classification lean heavily on juniper-forward simplicity, Opihr charts a decidedly different course — one that draws on the ancient spice routes for its botanical inspiration. At 40% ABV and priced at £24.95, it sits squarely in the accessible end of the market, yet its ambition reaches considerably further than its price point might suggest.
Style & Character
The Oriental Spiced designation tells you a great deal about where this gin's personality lies. This is a London Dry that privileges warm, exotic spice notes alongside the juniper backbone that the category demands by law. It is, in essence, a gin built for those who find the classical London Dry profile a touch austere — a bridge between tradition and the more adventurous end of contemporary gin-making.
I have always maintained that a London Dry should never abandon its juniper foundations, regardless of how creative the supporting cast of botanicals may be. Opihr walks that line with reasonable confidence. It delivers enough of the expected juniper structure to satisfy purists whilst offering a spice-led complexity that sets it apart on a crowded shelf.
Best Served
A classic G&T with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a slice of fresh orange suits this gin well — the citrus lifts the spice notes without masking them. It also holds its own respectably in a Negroni, where its warmth complements the Campari rather than competing with it.
At 7.3 out of 10, Opihr is a competent and distinctive expression that rewards the curious drinker. It may not redefine the London Dry category, but it offers a genuinely interesting perspective on what that category can accommodate.
