First Impressions
Bath is a city that knows about elegance. From its Georgian crescents to its Roman baths, it carries an air of civilised refinement that few British cities can match. Bath Gin, produced by the Bath Gin Company, aspires to channel some of that city's character into a bottle — and its citrus-forward, sweetly aromatic profile suggests a gin designed for sunny afternoons in the Royal Victoria Park rather than dark winter evenings.
The botanical bill favours citrus heavily — lemon, lime, and orange all feature — with liquorice and cardamom providing a sweet, aromatic backbone. It is a gin that prioritises brightness and accessibility over juniper-led traditionalism.
The Distillery
The Bath Gin Company produces this spirit in the city whose name it bears. The botanical approach is citrus-centric, with juniper, coriander, liquorice, cardamom, lemon peel, lime peel, and orange peel comprising the known ingredients. The triple-citrus approach is a deliberate stylistic choice that defines the gin's character and differentiates it from the juniper-heavy gins that dominate the traditional London Dry category.
Tasting
The nose is a burst of sunshine. Citrus fruits dominate comprehensively — lemon, lime, and orange all announcing themselves with generous enthusiasm. Underneath the citrus, there is a sweetness from the liquorice that provides a rounded, comforting foundation. It is an immediately appealing nose — uncomplicated, bright, and cheerful. If you are looking for brooding complexity or juniper-forward austerity, look elsewhere; Bath Gin knows what it wants to be.
On the palate, the citrus theme amplifies. Lemons, limes, and orange all jump out with vivid, almost exuberant flavour — this is a gin that is bursting with fruit. Liquorice and cardamom take the lead in the supporting cast, providing a sugary backdrop that frames the citrus without competing with it. The juniper remains rich and flavoursome — it has not been abandoned, merely repositioned as a team player rather than the captain — and aromatic, slightly herbal notes from the coriander add a welcome savouriness that prevents the palate from becoming monotonously fruity.
The finish is full of flavour. Big notes of lime and orange come through with impressive persistence, and a gentle reminder of cardamom adds warmth to the conclusion. It is a finish that is fruity rather than spicy, citrus-driven rather than botanical-led, and consistent with the gin's overall sunny disposition.
How to Drink It
Bath Gin is a born G&T spirit. Use Fever-Tree Mediterranean or Elderflower Tonic and garnish with a generous wheel of orange and a sprig of fresh mint. The citrus-on-citrus pairing sounds like it should be too much, but the liquorice and cardamom in the gin prevent it from becoming one-dimensional.
In cocktails, the citrus character makes it an excellent Tom Collins base — the lemon juice in the cocktail harmonises naturally with the gin's own lemon peel. It also works well in a Southside, where the mint and lime complement the gin's bright character.
The Bottom Line
Bath Gin earns a 7 as a well-made, unashamedly citrus-forward gin that delivers exactly what it promises. The triple-citrus approach creates a bright, refreshing spirit that is perfect for warm-weather drinking, and the liquorice and cardamom backbone prevents it from becoming a simple citrus vodka. The juniper is present and correct, the aromatic dimension from the coriander adds interest, and the finish has admirable persistence. It will not satisfy purists who demand juniper dominance, but for those who enjoy their gin sunny, citrus-soaked, and approachable, Bath Gin is a genuinely cheerful bottle from a genuinely beautiful city.
