Fords Gin is a London Dry that wears its credentials quietly but confidently. Produced at Thames Distillers for The 86 Co., it was conceived not by a marketing team but by bartenders — professionals who understand what a gin needs to do when it steps behind the bar. That philosophy is evident in every aspect of its construction, from the carefully balanced botanical bill to its bottling strength of 45% ABV, a figure that gives the spirit sufficient backbone to hold its own in mixed drinks without overwhelming them.
A Botanical Bill Built for Purpose
The nine-botanical recipe reads like a masterclass in classical London Dry architecture. Juniper leads, as it must, supported by the earthy anchor of angelica root and the powdery depth of orris root — two ingredients that too many contemporary gins neglect in favour of flashier alternatives. Coriander seed provides its characteristic citrus-spice lift, while the triple citrus combination of grapefruit peel, lemon peel, and orange peel ensures a broad, layered brightness rather than the one-note citrus character you sometimes encounter in lesser examples of the style.
What elevates the recipe beyond textbook convention is the inclusion of jasmine flower and cassia bark. Jasmine introduces a delicate floral dimension that never tips into perfume, while cassia bark — warmer and more rounded than its cousin cinnamon — adds a gentle spice that lingers without shouting. It is this interplay between tradition and subtle innovation that places Fords firmly in the upper tier of London Drys designed for professional use.
A Bartender's Gin
I have long admired gins that are built to work rather than to impress on the shelf, and Fords belongs squarely in that tradition. At 45% ABV, it sits at a strength that rewards both simplicity and complexity — robust enough for a properly stirred Martini, yet sufficiently balanced to shine in a well-made G&T. The price point, hovering around the £30 mark, represents genuinely strong value for a gin of this calibre, particularly given the quality of Thames Distillers' output.
This is not a gin that seeks to reinvent the category. Rather, it refines it. Every botanical choice feels deliberate, every element of the blend serves the whole, and the result is a spirit that performs with quiet authority across a wide range of serves.
Best Served
In a classic Martini — four parts Fords to one part dry vermouth, stirred long and cold, with a twist of grapefruit peel to echo that citrus triad. Equally at home in a G&T with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic, garnished with a slice of pink grapefruit.
A rating of 8.5 out of 10 reflects a London Dry that does almost everything right: beautifully composed, honestly priced, and built by people who understand precisely what gin is for.
