There's something genuinely thrilling about encountering a bottle like the Green-Fish Orange Gin Spring Cap Bot.1960s. This is a piece of gin history — a London Dry from what appears to be the 1960s, carrying with it decades of quiet maturation in glass and a window into how distillers approached the craft over half a century ago.
A London Dry From Another Era
What strikes me most about this bottling is the context. London Dry gin in the 1960s was a different proposition to what we know today. Distillers worked within tighter conventions, and the style leaned heavily on juniper-forward profiles with clean, classical botanical arrangements. At 40% ABV, this sits at the standard strength for the era — a deliberate choice that would have prioritised balance and drinkability over botanical intensity.
The "Orange Gin" designation is particularly fascinating. Orange gins were a recognised category in mid-twentieth-century Britain, typically featuring a pronounced citrus character layered over the juniper backbone. Think of it as a bridge between a classic dry gin and the bitter orange complexity you'd find in good marmalade. It's a style that has largely disappeared from modern shelves, which makes encountering a bottle like this all the more special.
At this price point, you're paying for rarity and provenance rather than a spirit to mix casually — and that feels entirely appropriate. This is a collector's gin, a conversation piece, and a genuine artefact of distilling history. I'd rate it 7.8 out of 10, reflecting its extraordinary historical significance while acknowledging the inherent uncertainty of a spirit this old.
Best Served
If you do choose to open it, I'd suggest a simple Gin & Tonic with a premium Indian tonic and a twist of fresh orange peel — nothing more. Let the spirit speak for itself. Use a large, clear ice block to keep dilution slow and the temperature steady. This is a gin that deserves your full attention.
