There are gins that announce themselves with fanfare, and then there are those that arrive with the quiet confidence of someone who knows exactly where they come from. Boatyard Double Gin belongs firmly in the latter camp — a London Dry that carries itself with the kind of unhurried assurance I've come to associate with distillers who let their craft do the talking.
A Classic Foundation, Doubled Down
The name tells you something important straight away. This is a double gin, bottled at 46% ABV — a strength that signals intent. That extra heft isn't about brute force; it's about giving the botanicals room to breathe, to fully express themselves without the dilution that can flatten lesser spirits. At this proof, a London Dry has the architecture to carry weight and detail simultaneously, and Boatyard seems built precisely for that purpose.
The botanical bill reads like a masterclass in classical gin construction. Juniper leads, as it must in any self-respecting London Dry, supported by the warm spice of coriander and the bright lift of lemon. Beneath that, the earthier voices — angelica root providing structure, orris lending a powdery elegance, liquorice adding a whisper of sweetness that rounds the edges. And then there are the grains of paradise, that West African spice that so many contemporary distillers reach for, bringing a peppery warmth that stops the blend from ever feeling merely safe.
What I find compelling about this combination is its balance of tradition and personality. Every botanical here has earned its place in the London Dry canon, yet the proportions and the double distillation strength suggest a distiller who wanted more than just competence. They wanted character.
The Verdict
At £38.25, Boatyard Double Gin sits in that honest middle ground — neither bargain-shelf nor trophy-cabinet, but the kind of bottle that rewards you every time you return to it. It's a gin that respects the London Dry tradition without being imprisoned by it, and the 46% ABV ensures it stands up beautifully in any application you choose. I'm giving it a 7.7 out of 10 — a thoroughly well-made spirit with classical bones and just enough individuality to distinguish itself in a crowded field.
Best served on an unhurried afternoon, over ice with a premium Indian tonic, a generous squeeze of fresh lemon, and a few cracked grains of black pepper to echo those grains of paradise. The kind of drink that makes you slow down and pay attention.
