Booth's is one of those names that carries real weight in the gin world. This is a brand with centuries of history behind it, and their Dry Gin with sherry cask mellowing represents something genuinely interesting — a London Dry that's been given an additional layer of complexity through time spent resting in sherry casks.
A London Dry With a Twist
What fascinates me about Booth's Dry Gin / Sherry Cask Mellowed is the technique at play here. You're starting with a classic London Dry base at a robust 43% ABV — enough backbone to stand up in any cocktail — and then introducing sherry cask maturation into the equation. That cask influence is what elevates this beyond a straightforward juniper-forward spirit. Sherry wood imparts subtle dried fruit sweetness, a touch of nuttiness, and a rounder, more textured mouthfeel that you simply don't get from an unaged gin.
At its core, this is still a London Dry, which means juniper leads the charge by definition. But the sherry cask mellowing softens those sharper edges and introduces a warmth that makes this a particularly contemplative pour. It's the kind of gin that rewards you for slowing down.
Best Served
I'd reach for this in a Martinez every time — the sherry cask character bridges beautifully into sweet vermouth territory. Mix 60ml of the Booth's with 30ml of sweet vermouth, a barspoon of maraschino liqueur, and two dashes of orange bitters. Stir over a large ice cube until properly diluted and strain into a chilled coupe. A lemon twist expressed over the surface is all the garnish you need. The cask-mellowed richness makes this gin feel like it was designed for stirred, spirit-forward serves.
At £39.25, it sits at a fair price point for a cask-mellowed London Dry. A solid 7.3 out of 10 — a well-crafted expression that offers genuine character through its sherry cask finishing.
