Sipsmith's VJOP — Very Junipery Over Proof — is exactly what it says on the label, and I respect that kind of directness. At 57.7% ABV, this is a gin that announces itself the moment you crack the seal. Sipsmith built their reputation on clean, classic juniper-forward spirits, and the VJOP dials that philosophy up to eleven.
Style & Character
Classified as a flavoured gin, the VJOP sits in interesting territory. The elevated strength isn't just about heat — higher ABV carries volatile aromatics more effectively, which means more intense botanical delivery in every sip. For a distillery known for precision, pushing the proof this high is a statement of confidence in their recipe and their copper pot stills.
What draws me to this bottle is the unapologetic commitment to juniper. Too many modern gins chase exotic botanicals at the expense of the backbone that defines the category. VJOP swings the other way entirely. It's a gin for people who want their G&T to taste unmistakably of gin — resinous, herbaceous, with that piney bite that cuts through any mixer you throw at it.
Best Served
At this strength, the VJOP is a cocktail powerhouse. I'd reach for it in a White Negroni with Suze and dry vermouth — the juniper holds its ground against bitter gentian without breaking a sweat. For a longer serve, try it with a robust tonic, a thick grapefruit peel, and a few lightly bruised shiso leaves. The herbal lift plays beautifully against that juniper intensity.
At £37.75, it's fairly priced for an overproof from a respected London distillery. A 7.7 out of 10 — it delivers exactly what it promises, and delivers it well.
