There's something quietly thrilling about holding a bottle that predates your own existence. Nicholson London Dry Gin, bottled in the 1970s, is a time capsule from an era when London Dry meant something uncompromising — juniper-forward, bone-dry, built for purpose. At 45% ABV, it sits at a strength that was standard for the period but feels almost muscular by today's craft standards.
A Lost Name Worth Knowing
Nicholson is one of those heritage brands that most modern gin drinkers have never encountered. The distillery details and full botanical bill have been lost to time, which is part of the fascination. What we do know is that this is a pre-craft-era London Dry, and bottles from this period typically leaned heavily on juniper, coriander, and angelica root — the holy trinity of classic gin distilling. No butterfly pea flower. No yuzu. Just disciplined, resinous spirit.
I rate this 8.2 out of 10. That score reflects not just the liquid itself but what it represents: a snapshot of a style that the industry has spent decades drifting away from. The 45% ABV gives it enough backbone to stand up in any cocktail without fading, and the London Dry classification guarantees a dry, clean profile with no added sugar or artificial botanicals post-distillation. For collectors and gin historians, the value here is obvious. At £299, you're paying for rarity and provenance as much as flavour.
Best Served
If you dare open it, keep it simple — a classic Martini with a 4:1 ratio and a twist of lemon peel. Or try it in a White Lady, where the juniper spine can cut through the citrus and egg white. This is a gin that earned its place in a cocktail glass, not a museum cabinet.
