Sapling London Dry Gin arrives with a name that speaks to growth and new beginnings — an apt metaphor for a brand entering one of the most competitive categories in the spirits world. London Dry remains the benchmark style against which all other gins are measured, and any distiller working within its strict production parameters must deliver on clarity, balance, and botanical precision. At 40% ABV, Sapling sits at the legal minimum for gin, a choice that tends to favour accessibility over intensity.
Style & Character
What draws me to Sapling is its positioning: a London Dry that appears to be built for the modern drinker without abandoning the conventions of the category. The London Dry designation is not merely a geographical label — it is a guarantee of method, demanding that all flavours derive from the distillation process itself, with no post-distillation additions beyond water. Any gin carrying this classification must stand on the quality of its distillate alone, and that is a discipline I have always respected.
At its price point of around £33, Sapling occupies the mid-shelf territory where competition is fierce. It must contend with established names that have decades of heritage behind them. A 40% ABV London Dry needs to work harder to project its botanical character than a higher-strength counterpart might, and the best examples at this strength achieve a delicate equilibrium that rewards careful serving.
Best Served
I would reach for Sapling in a classic gin and tonic — Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water, a generous wedge of grapefruit, and plenty of ice. A London Dry at this strength thrives when given space to breathe in a long serve. A 7.8 out of 10 feels right: a solid, well-positioned gin that respects the traditions of its category.
