Tarquin's Cornish Dry Gin has built a quiet reputation among spirit enthusiasts who value craft over hype. This half bottle — a smart format for the curious or the gift-minded — delivers a proper London Dry at 42% ABV, a strength that sits right in the sweet spot for versatility.
Style & Character
As a London Dry, Tarquin's plays by the classic rules: juniper-forward by definition, with the botanical bill working in support rather than stealing the spotlight. The Tarquin's range has long been associated with a coastal sensibility — a certain freshness that sets it apart from the more austere London Drys that dominate supermarket shelves. At 42%, it's approachable without sacrificing backbone. There's enough structure here to hold its own in a G&T but enough restraint to make it a clean, capable base for cocktails that need a dry foundation.
Value & Verdict
At £20.50 for a half bottle, you're paying a modest premium over some full-sized budget options, but you're getting a genuinely craft-produced gin with character. It's a fair price for what amounts to a well-made introduction to the Tarquin's world — or a reliable standby if you already know the range. Where it loses half a mark is on distinctiveness. The London Dry category is fiercely competitive, and without a truly signature botanical twist, it can feel like solid execution rather than revelation. That said, solid execution is underrated. I'd score Tarquin's Cornish Dry Gin 7.6 out of 10 — a dependable, well-crafted spirit that does exactly what it promises.
Best Served
Try this with a premium Indian tonic, a wedge of pink grapefruit, and a single kaffir lime leaf torn in half to release its oils. The citrus lifts the juniper while the lime leaf adds an aromatic, Southeast Asian edge that makes the whole drink feel a touch more exotic than your standard serve.
