There's something deeply appealing about a gin that draws its character from the hedgerow — that tangled, wild margin where sloes, elderberries, and rosehips grow in quiet abundance. Cotswolds Hedgerow Gin sits in the sloe gin category, and at 40.6% ABV, it immediately signals that this is a serious proposition rather than a syrupy afterthought.
Style & Character
What I find interesting about Cotswolds Hedgerow Gin is the ABV. Many sloe gins languish around the 25-28% mark, often leaning heavily on sugar to carry the fruit. At 40.6%, this sits at full gin strength, which tells me the Cotswolds team have prioritised balance — allowing the hedgerow fruit character to work alongside the juniper backbone rather than burying it. That's a decision rooted in craft, and I respect it enormously.
Sloe gins at this strength tend to retain far more botanical complexity. You'd expect the juniper to still assert itself, with the dark, plummy richness of the sloe providing depth rather than outright sweetness. It's the kind of profile that rewards attention — there should be layers here worth exploring.
Best Served
A sloe gin at this strength opens up cocktail possibilities that lighter versions simply can't handle. My recommendation would be a Sloe Gin Negroni — equal parts Cotswolds Hedgerow Gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, stirred over a large ice cube and garnished with a twist of orange peel. The bittersweet fruit character should stand up beautifully against the Campari. Alternatively, try it lengthened with good tonic and a sprig of rosemary — the herbal note lifts those darker fruit qualities wonderfully.
At £33.75, this represents fair value for a full-strength sloe gin with craft credentials. A solid 7.4 out of 10.
