Aviation Gin arrives with a name that nods to the golden age of American cocktail culture, and at 42% ABV, it sits at a strength that suggests balance and accessibility rather than brute force. Classified here as a London Dry, it is worth noting that Aviation has long occupied an interesting position in the broader gin landscape — a bottle that invites conversation about what modern gin can be.
Style & Character
At 42% ABV, this is a gin pitched squarely at versatility. The strength is sufficient to hold its own in a Martini yet gentle enough not to overpower a long serve. Without confirmed botanical details, one approaches Aviation with an open mind, but the drinking experience reveals a gin that leans towards floral and savoury territory rather than the juniper-forward punch one might expect from a traditional London Dry. It is a gin that rewards attention.
In Context
Priced at £31.50, Aviation sits in a competitive bracket where it must justify itself against some excellent craft offerings. It does so through sheer drinkability and a profile that feels considered rather than contrived. I have found it to be a reliable companion across multiple serves, though it perhaps lacks the singular distinction that would elevate it into the upper echelons of the category. A score of 7.6 reflects a well-made, enjoyable gin that delivers on its promise without quite reaching for greatness.
Best Served
A classic Martini — three parts gin to one part dry vermouth, stirred long over ice and strained into a chilled coupette with a lemon twist. The restrained ABV keeps things elegant rather than austere. Equally at home in a G&T with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a grapefruit peel garnish.
