Old Raj Gin at 55% ABV is a statement piece — a London Dry that arrives with serious intent and the kind of proof point that immediately signals this isn't aimed at casual spritz drinkers. In an era where the market is awash with pastel-hued, lower-ABV gins designed for easy Instagram appeal, Old Raj plants its flag firmly in the traditionalist camp, and I rather respect it for that.
A London Dry With Conviction
At 55%, this sits comfortably in navy strength territory, which gives it a muscular backbone that carries botanical character with real authority. The Old Raj name has long been associated with a distinctive, uncompromising approach to gin-making, and this expression is perhaps the purest articulation of that philosophy. It's the sort of bottle that earns its place on a back bar not through novelty but through sheer quality of construction.
What strikes me most is the confidence of the proposition. Priced at £34.95, it represents genuinely strong value for a gin at this strength — you're getting considerably more character per pour than most competitors at comparable price points. For bartenders, that higher ABV translates directly into versatility: this is a gin that will hold its own in a Martini without being bulldozed by the vermouth, and it has the structural integrity to anchor a Negroni with real presence.
Best Served
Best served in a dry Martini at a 4:1 ratio with a quality dry vermouth — the 55% ABV ensures the gin's botanical architecture remains front and centre. A lemon twist rather than an olive lets the spirit speak. This is also a gin that bartenders will reach for when building classic cocktails that demand a spirit with genuine backbone.
A well-executed, high-strength London Dry that prioritises substance over spectacle. 7.5 out of 10.
