Cotswolds Dry Gin is a name that carries quiet authority in the London Dry category. At 46% ABV, it sits at a strength that signals intent — this is a gin built for character, not compromise. The additional two points above the legal minimum for a London Dry give the spirit room to express its botanical payload with greater clarity and persistence.
Style & Category
As a London Dry, Cotswolds Dry Gin is bound by one of the most exacting definitions in the spirits world: all botanicals must be added during distillation, with no artificial flavourings or colourings permitted after the fact. It is a discipline that rewards good distilling, and at this price point — £33.95 — the expectation is firmly set for a gin that delivers on that promise.
Character & Impression
I found this to be a composed and well-mannered spirit. The Cotswolds name has become synonymous with a certain English elegance, and this gin does not stray from that reputation. It carries itself with the poise of a textbook London Dry, where juniper leads with authority but leaves space for supporting botanicals to contribute depth and nuance. The 46% strength provides a satisfying weight on the palate without ever tipping into harshness — a balance that speaks to careful distillation.
At 7.3 out of 10, this is a thoroughly reliable gin that acquits itself well in its category. It does not attempt to reinvent the wheel, and it is all the better for it. A solid all-rounder that merits a place on any gin shelf.
Best served: In a classic G&T with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a generous grapefruit peel, or stirred into a dry Martini where its clean structure can truly shine.
