Sipsmith's V.J.O.P. — which stands for Very Junipery Over Proof — is a gin that makes its intentions clear from the name. Where many modern gins have moved towards restraint, subtlety, and the quiet integration of unusual botanicals, V.J.O.P. goes in the opposite direction. It takes the most fundamental element of gin — juniper — and amplifies it to a degree that borders on the evangelical.
The method is straightforward but labour-intensive. The standard Sipsmith botanical recipe is used, but the proportion of juniper is dramatically increased. The resulting distillate is then bottled at 57.7% ABV — above Navy Strength — without dilution. The combination of increased juniper and higher proof produces a gin of extraordinary intensity and character.
On the Nose
The nose is juniper in high definition. It is the smell of a juniper forest after rain — deep, green, resinous, and almost overwhelmingly aromatic. Behind this wall of juniper, the other botanicals make themselves known: coriander provides warm spice, lemon peel offers brightness, and there is an almost mentholated freshness that I associate with the higher proof interacting with the juniper oils. The nose alone is worth the price of admission.
The Palate
On the palate, V.J.O.P. is a revelation. The juniper is enormous — the biggest juniper hit of any gin I have tasted — but it is also beautifully structured. The mouthfeel is oily and viscous, coating the tongue with botanical intensity. Despite the 57.7% ABV, there is remarkably little alcoholic burn; the juniper oils seem to cushion the spirit, creating a smooth, rich experience. Citrus provides a necessary counterpoint, and the coriander contributes warmth, but make no mistake: this is juniper's show.
The Finish
The finish is very long — among the longest of any gin I've reviewed. Juniper persists and evolves, moving from the initial piney intensity to a warmer, more resinous quality as it fades. There is a gentle heat that builds slowly, and a final note of lemon zest that lifts the ending. The aftertaste lingers for a minute or more, which is extraordinary for a white spirit.
How to Serve
V.J.O.P. makes the most powerfully flavoured gin and tonic you will ever drink. Use Indian tonic and a generous squeeze of lemon — the gin's intensity needs the quinine and citrus to achieve balance. In a Martini, it creates something bracingly dry and juniper-forward — a Martini for purists who believe gin should taste overwhelmingly of juniper.
But my favourite serve is the simplest: a small measure over a single large ice cube, sipped slowly. As the ice melts, the gin gradually dilutes, revealing new layers and nuances. It is like watching a landscape emerge from morning fog — the longer you sit with it, the more you see.
Sipsmith V.J.O.P. is not a gin for every occasion. It is a gin for occasions that demand juniper in its fullest, most unapologetic expression. For those of us who believe that juniper is not merely gin's defining ingredient but its soul, V.J.O.P. is as close to perfection as the category has produced.
