There's a growing school of thought in modern gin-making that the juniper-forward backbone of a London Dry can be a canvas for something genuinely beautiful — and Only Gin is a fascinating case study in that philosophy. At 43% ABV, it sits right in the sweet spot where botanical expression has room to breathe without the alcohol bulldozing the subtler aromatics. What immediately sets this gin apart is its extraordinary floral botanical bill: hibiscus, violet, rose petals, mallows, lavender, pansies, veronica, and orange blossom. That's eight distinct floral ingredients working in concert, which is ambitious to say the least.
A Botanical Garden in a Bottle
Let me explain why this matters from a distillation perspective. Floral botanicals are notoriously tricky to work with. Many of them — lavender and rose in particular — contain volatile aromatic compounds that can tip from elegant to soapy in a heartbeat if the distiller isn't careful with temperature control and cut points. The fact that Only Gin commits to this many florals in a London Dry classification tells me there's genuine confidence behind the still. A London Dry, remember, means all botanicals must be added during distillation and no flavourings or colours can be introduced afterwards. What you taste is what came through the copper.
The interplay between these botanicals is what fascinates me most. Hibiscus brings a tart, almost cranberry-like depth. Violet and pansy contribute that distinctive, powdery sweetness. Rose petals and orange blossom sit in the middle register with their honeyed, heady aromatics, while lavender and mallow round things out with herbaceous and mucilaginous softness respectively. Veronica — a wildflower not often seen in gin — adds an intriguing earthy counterpoint. It's a thoughtfully constructed palette that should layer beautifully rather than collapsing into a generic perfume note.
Best Served
A gin this floral deserves a serve that respects its character rather than masking it. My recommendation would be a French 75 — the lemon juice will brighten those rose and hibiscus notes, while the champagne's effervescence lifts the lighter violet and orange blossom aromatics off the glass. Use 50ml of Only Gin, 20ml fresh lemon juice, 15ml simple syrup, and top with a dry champagne or crémant. Garnish with a single edible flower or a twist of lemon zest expressed over the surface. For a simpler serve, a G&T with a premium Indian tonic and a sprig of fresh lavender would let you appreciate the botanical complexity at its own pace. Keep the ice large and cold — you want dilution, not a race.
At £44.75, Only Gin sits in a competitive bracket, but the sheer ambition of that floral botanical bill and the discipline required to execute it within London Dry parameters earns it a 7.7 from me. It's a gin that rewards curiosity, and I suspect it will convert a few people who thought they didn't like floral gins.
