St George Botanivore Gin is a name that carries weight in craft distilling circles, and for good reason. The 'Botanivore' — literally, botanical devourer — is a gin that wears its philosophy on its label. This is a spirit built around an expansive botanical bill, one designed to showcase breadth and complexity rather than leaning on a single signature note. At 45% ABV, it sits at a confident strength that signals serious intent without tipping into navy territory.
A Craft Pioneer's Calling Card
What makes Botanivore commercially interesting is its positioning. St George was producing craft gin long before the category exploded, and this expression functions as something of a mission statement — a London Dry that pushes the boundaries of what that classification can accommodate. The emphasis here is squarely on the interplay between a wide cast of botanicals, creating a gin that rewards attention. It's the sort of bottle that sits behind serious cocktail bars, the one a bartender reaches for when a customer says they want something with character.
At £41.25, the pricing places it firmly in the premium tier, competing with the likes of Monkey 47 and Nikka Coffey Gin for the attention of drinkers willing to pay for provenance and craft credentials. It's not an impulse buy — it's a considered purchase, and the liquid needs to justify that. From what I've found in the glass, it largely does, though the lack of a single defining hook means it can occasionally feel like it's trying to say everything at once. A strong 7.6 out of 10 — a genuinely well-made gin that could sharpen its identity just a fraction.
Best served: In a classic G&T with a restrained tonic — Fever-Tree Premium or London Essence — and a sprig of fresh herbs. This is also a gin that bartenders should be reaching for in a White Lady or a Last Word, where its botanical complexity can do the heavy lifting.
