Gin Notes: Burnett's London Dry Gin

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Feb 20th 2008 @ 12:03PM

Burnett's London Dry Gin is 40% abv. / 80 proof and the US version is made by Heaven Hill Distillery according to Sir Robert Burnett's 1770 recipe. It is a distilled gin which means that the botanicals are distilled with neutral spirits to create the gin. This is the method used by premium quality gins and it is surprising to see a gin in the lower price range made this way, this well.

The aroma is light and crisp with a citrus and juniper nose with hints of spice and black pepper finishing with a slight earthy tone that is from some root botanical, maybe angelica. It has a nice, complex smell and I wish I knew more about the botanicals in the recipe. I wrote to Heaven Hill a few months ago and after several emails back and forth still couldn't get them to give me any details.

The flavor is light and in the classic London Dry style. Juniper, spices in the peppery realm, and citrus come on smoothly and softly, and in a clean way. Burnett's is a great gin for mixing in cocktails and highballs, especially a gin and tonic, or anything else where you want a gin presence, but not one of the overwhelming powerhouses not suitable for most cocktails. It also tastes fine on the rocks, for when you want nice, light, crisp gin; and not anything else.

Filed Under: Raves & Reviews, Trends, Happy Hour, Liquor Cabinet, Drink Recipes, Drinks
Tags: Burnett's London Dry Gin, Burnett'sLondonDryGin, gin, liquor cabinet, spirits