English Gin

Name: English Gin Collection
Brand: Digital Distiller
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (156 reviews)

1 product

Abingdon Distillery Cask Aged Gin, 70cl

Abingdon Distillery

English Gin Collection

Discover the finest English gins from artisan distilleries across England

About English Gin: England's gin renaissance over the last 15 years has produced some of the world's most innovative and flavourful gins. From traditional London Dry styles to contemporary botanical expressions, these English distilleries combine centuries of gin-making heritage with modern creativity and locally-sourced botanicals.

Gin & Distillery	Strength & Style	Botanical Profile	Tasting Experience	Perfect For...
Forest Distillery Gin Artisan gin from the heart of Macclesfield Forest London Dry BUY NOW	42% Alc. Traditional style Small batch	Juniper Coriander Angelica Orris Root Classic London Dry botanicals with perfect balance	Nose: Clean juniper, citrus peel Palate: Crisp, dry, well-balanced Finish: Clean, traditional gin character	• Classic G&T lovers • Gin purists • Martini making • Traditional cocktails
The Lakes Gin Lake District botanicals meet gin craftsmanship Contemporary BUY NOW	46% Alc. Contemporary style Premium strength	Juniper Elderflower Meadowsweet Damson Local Lake District botanicals create unique terroir	Nose: Floral, elderflower, fresh Palate: Smooth, fruity, elegant Finish: Long, with distinctive Lake District character	• Premium G&T enthusiasts • Floral gin lovers • Lake District visitors • Sophisticated cocktails
Ealing Distillery London Dry Gin West London's award-winning artisan gin London Dry BUY NOW	47% Alc. London Dry style High strength	Juniper Coriander Cassia Bark Orange Peel Bold, spicy profile with warming botanicals	Nose: Spicy, warming, citrus Palate: Bold, complex, well-structured Finish: Spicy warmth, satisfying depth	• Bold gin drinkers • Neat sipping • Strong cocktails • Winter G&Ts
Adnams Smidgin Gin Concentrated gin designed for low-alcohol G&Ts Low-Alc Mixer BUY NOW	50% Alc. Concentrated strength 20cl bottle	Juniper Cardamom Coriander Citrus Peel 10x botanical concentration for maximum flavour impact	Nose: Intense juniper, citrus Palate: Concentrated botanicals, crisp Finish: Clean, authentic gin character	• Low-alcohol G&T lovers • Reducing alcohol intake • 80 serves per bottle • Award-winning innovation
Cooper King Dry Gin Yorkshire's sustainable distillery gin Modern Dry BUY NOW	42% Alc. Modern style Sustainable production	Juniper Cardamom Honey Orange Yorkshire honey and carefully selected botanicals	Nose: Honey sweetness, spice, citrus Palate: Smooth, honeyed, well-balanced Finish: Gentle spice, warming honey notes	• Sustainable spirit supporters • Smooth cocktails • Yorkshire pride • Modern gin styles

Alex's Selection Guide: For gin newcomers, start with Forest Distillery - its traditional London Dry character is stylish and perfectly balanced. Ealing's bold strength makes it ideal for those who love their gin with character. For anyone wanting to reduce their alcohol intake without losing gin flavour, Adnams Smidgin is revolutionary - just 2.5ml creates a full-strength G&T taste at only 0.6% alcohol. Cooper King Distillery's gins offer sustainable options, so you can drink gin and do good at the same time!

Understanding English Gin

English gin covers a broad spectrum - from the perfect marriage of classic botanicals in a traditional London Dry Gin to modern contemporary innovations using less common herbs and spices. Each gin in this collection demonstrates why English Gin continues to lead experimentation globally whilst never losing sight of the classic juniper-forward profile that defines quality gin.

Regional Characteristics in English Gin

English gin distilleries often incorporate local and regional botanicals alongside local water sources. The Lakes Distillery gin uses meadowsweet and elderflower to create distinctive floral notes. Cooper King Distillery in Yorkshire uses local honey for a smooth, warming character. With hundreds of gin distilleries in England alone, regional differences are generally secondary to stylistic choices made by the individual distillery.

Innovation in English Gin Production

English gin leads global innovation whilst respecting tradition. Adnams' concentrated Smidgin gin delivers full flavour at lower alcohol content, perfect for health-conscious consumers. Sustainable distilleries like Cooper King are maximising environmental responsibility whilst not compromising on exceptional quality.

Botanical Quality and Sourcing

Quality English gin distilleries prioritise the sourcing of premium botanicals and achieving balance in the final product. Traditional botanicals like juniper, coriander, and angelica root provide the backbone, while local additions create regional distinction. Ealing Gin's botanicals aim to reflect the verdant gardens and plant life of south-West London. Forest Distillery maintains classic London Dry purity whilst incorporating local ingredients such as Wild Bilberries, Peak District Moss and Ferns. Each distillery balances tradition with innovation.

How to Choose Your English Gin

For Classic Gin Lovers

Forest Distillery London Dry provides perfect traditional gin character with clean juniper focus and balanced botanicals. This classic approach suits gin purists who appreciate proper London Dry standards without unnecessary complexity. Ideal for classic G&Ts and traditional martinis where gin character should shine clearly.

For Premium Gin Enthusiasts

The Lakes Gin delivers sophisticated complexity with Lake District botanicals creating unique English terroir. The higher 46% strength and premium botanicals are perfect for special occasions and use in premium cocktails. Cooper King's smooth Yorkshire character is bold and characterful - ideal in a full flavoured G&T and garnished with rosemary.

For Bold Gin Drinkers

Ealing Distillery's 47% strength and spicy botanical profile delivers serious gin character perfect for neat sipping or strong cocktails. The warming cassia bark and bold juniper create satisfying depth that stands up to ice dilution and strong mixers. Perfect for evening G&Ts and gin-forward cocktails.

For Innovation Seekers

Adnams Smidgin packs a lot of flavour into a small bottle - with a proprietary 10x botanical concentration, it makes low-alcohol G&Ts without compromising on flavour. One 20cl bottle creates 80 servings, making it both economical and environmentally conscious. Perfect for health-conscious gin lovers wanting full flavour with reduced alcohol intake.

English Gin Serving and Cocktail Guide

Perfect G&T Combinations

Forest Distillery pairs beautifully with premium tonic and lemon peel for classic G&T perfection. The Lakes Gin works excellently with elderflower tonic and fresh blackberries, complementing its Lake District botanicals. Ealing's spicy character suits bold tonics with an orange peel garnish. Cooper King's honey notes pair wonderfully with Mediterranean tonic and fresh thyme.

Premium Cocktail Applications

Classic London Dry gins like Forest excel in traditional martinis where a pure gin character is essential. Premium gins like The Lakes work beautifully in contemporary cocktails, while bold gins like Ealing suit gin-forward drinks like negronis where the gin needs to hold its own against strong flavours.

Innovative Serving Suggestions

Adnams Smidgin creates perfect low-alcohol G&Ts using just 5ml gin with premium tonic for full flavour at reduced strength. Generally, premium gins are delicious sipped neat with ice, but all expressions work well in seasonal cocktails incorporating complementary British ingredients and garnishes. All our gins benefit from a quality tonic water if you are opting for a G&T!

Frequently Asked Questions About English Gin

What makes English gin different from other gins?

English gin usually leans heavily on classic juniper-forward flavours but frequently combines local sourcing of botanicals to reflect the character of the area in which it is made. For example, The Lakes Distillery uses elderflower and Cooper King uses Yorkshire honey, creating distinctive regional character whilst maintaining the juniper-forward profile that defines quality gin.

Which English gin is best for beginners?

Forest Distillery London Dry offers the most approachable entry point with classic botanical balance and clean juniper character at 42% strength. Its traditional profile helps newcomers understand what quality gin should taste like before exploring more innovative expressions.

How does Adnams Smidgin work for low-alcohol G&Ts?

Smidgin uses 10x botanical concentration, meaning just 5ml creates a full-flavour G&T with 80% less alcohol than standard measures. One 20cl bottle provides 80 serves, making it economical and perfect for health-conscious consumers wanting authentic gin flavour without high alcohol content.

Are English gins good for premium cocktails?

Premium English gins like The Lakes (46%) and Ealing (47%) provide excellent cocktail performance with complex botanical profiles and higher strength. Their distinctive characters create unique cocktails whilst maintaining the gin backbone essential for classic drinks like martinis and negronis.

What's the difference between London Dry and Contemporary gin styles?

London Dry has nothing to do with being made in London, but describes a specific production process. It does not allow anything to be added after distillation other than neutral spirit and/or water. The gin flavour must be entirely created in the distillation process. Contemporary gins have more flexibility to move beyond the straight juniper-focused aromas and flavours with the addition of other botanicals, spices and herbs.

How should I store English gin for optimal quality?

Store gin bottles upright, and sealed, in cool, dark conditions away from strong temperature fluctuations. This will maintain botanical freshness and prevents flavour deterioration. Opened bottles remain excellent for years when stored correctly.

Do distilleries produce their own base Spirit for making Gin?

Distillers have two options, either to distill their base spirit themselves (Grain to Glass approach) - this is then re-distilled with the botanicals to make gin - or they can buy in Base Neutral Spirit and use that to re-distill with botanicals. Cooper King's gins, for example are all made from scratch using their vacuum distilling process which allows the botanicals flavours to be extracted more gently at a lower temperature.

Building Your English Gin Collection

This curated selection showcases a spread of different gin styles, from classic London Dry to innovative low-alcohol solutions. Try one from each style: Forest for a classic London Dry with a local twist, The Lakes for premium regional character, Ealing for bold complexity, Cooper King for sustainable quality, and Smidgin for innovative low-alcohol enjoyment.

Occasion Matching and Gift Recommendations

Forest Distillery's gins suit everyday G&Ts and classic cocktail making. The Lakes provides premium gift appeal with beautiful bottles and Lake District provenance. Ealing works for serious gin enthusiasts wanting bold, complex flavours. Cooper King appeals to environmentally conscious drinkers appreciating sustainable practices. Smidgin offers innovative gifting for health-conscious friends wanting full gin flavour with reduced alcohol.

For entertaining: Forest Gin for reliable crowd-pleasing G&Ts, The Lakes for premium serves, and Ealing for strong cocktails. For personal enjoyment: explore regional differences and botanical innovations that showcase English gin's diversity and quality leadership in global spirits.

Why Choose These English Gins?

Digital Distiller selected these five expressions to showcase English gin's versatile range. Each gin encapsulates genuine quality and distinctive character over mass-market appeal. Each bottle represents the skill and creativity of English gin makers who respect tradition whilst pushing boundaries in botanical innovation, sustainable practices, and serving versatility.

Serving Recommendations: Each of these gins shines with the right garnish - try elderflower with The Lakes, a lemon peel twist with Forest Gins, an orange slice with Ealing Gin, and fresh herbs with Cooper King. Adnams Smidgin is special - use the included copper spoon to measure just 2.5ml with 200ml tonic for a low-alcohol G&T (0.6% strength). All others work beautifully in classic G&Ts with premium tonic, but don't hesitate to explore them in cocktails where their unique botanicals can really shine.