My favourite alcoholic drink is definitely gin. I mean, if it’s good enough for Bond, it’s good enough for me. So as a bit of a gin lover I was rather intrigued to try the world’s only organic version: Juniper Green Organic Gin, which is made by a small family-run distillery in the middle of London.
Situated near Clapham in Central London, Thames is the only gin distillery which both distills and bottles gin in London.
The family of Charles Maxwell, master distiller at Thames, have been making gin in London since 1700. His forebear George Bishop first established a gin distillery in London having completed his apprenticeship to the Worshipful Company of Distillers.
The distillery he founded later became known as the Finsbury Distillery, and Finsbury London Dry Gin and Stone’s Ginger Wine were two of the famous names distilled and marketed throughout the country and across the world.
Eight generations later, Charles Maxwell has inherited one of the oldest unbroken family involvements in gin distilling. He owns the unique family recipes of esoteric botanicals with which Juniper Green Organic Gin is created.
These ingredients including organic juniper, coriander, angelica and savory, so the first thing you notice about this gin is – unsurprsingly – the strong Christmas tree smell.
For a lower proof gin, Juniper Green is mighty strong as well as packed with plenty of aroma. I actually really enjoyed drinking this on the rocks, but I’m not too sure how well it would do in a classic Martini or mixed with tonic because of its full-strength flavour.
Still, it makes an interesting addition to more established gin brands and I’m looking forward to enjoying the odd glass relaxing at home for the perfect Slow Life evening.
Bond doesn’t drink gin. He drinks vodka.