Plymouth Gin Review

Plymouth Gin is its own thing — not a London Dry, but a style unto itself, made only at the historic Black Friars Distillery in Plymouth since 1793 (the oldest working gin distillery in England). For much of cocktail history, when a recipe said "gin," it often meant Plymouth; countless classic books specify it by name.

Where London Dry leads with sharp juniper, Plymouth is softer and earthier. The nose shows gentler juniper, earthy roots, fresh citrus, and a whiff of cardamom, with a subtle natural sweetness. It is rounder and more approachable than the London Dry benchmark without tipping into the flavoured-gin territory of the contemporary crowd.

On the palate

Seven botanicals, weighted toward roots (angelica, orris) and citrus, give Plymouth its signature smooth, almost creamy texture. It is elegant, balanced, and forgiving — earthy botanicals and citrus over a soft body that finishes clean. This is a gin that makes a silkier Martini and a superb Gimlet.

The verdict

Plymouth is the connoisseur's easy recommendation: distinctive, historic, versatile, and fairly priced. It sits perfectly between the crisp bite of classic London Dry and the softer contemporary styles, and it belongs in any well-built gin lineup.