First Impressions
Boxer Gin arrives with a proposition that demands attention: wild juniper berries, steam-distilled at source in the Himalayas over a painstaking 20-hour process to extract their essential oil. That oil is then transported to Langley Distillery in England, where it meets ten additional botanicals in a traditional steep-and-boil pot distillation. It is an extravagant sourcing story, and the question — as always — is whether it translates into something you can actually taste in the glass.
The botanical bill includes organic bergamot alongside the Himalayan juniper, plus Spanish lemon peel, Seville orange, Italian orris root, Chinese cassia bark, and a supporting cast of warm spices. Eleven botanicals in total, each sourced from a specific provenance. Boxer clearly takes its raw materials seriously.
The Distillery
Langley Distillery, the same venerable West Midlands facility that produces London Hill and numerous other gins, handles the distillation. Their experience with traditional pot still methods is beyond question, and the combination of Himalayan juniper oil with conventional botanical maceration gives Boxer a dual-extraction approach that is relatively unusual in gin production. The steam distillation of the juniper at source is designed to capture a fresher, more aromatic juniper character than dried berries can provide — an investment in quality that few brands attempt.
Tasting
The nose is immediately impressive and justifies the juniper sourcing. It is citrusy with pronounced lemon and orange zests — the bergamot making its presence felt — but underneath there is a pine-fresh, eucalyptus-tinged juniper that is notably richer and deeper than standard juniper profiles. Earthy chocolate adds an unexpected dark note, and there is a potpourri warmth that hints at the spice complexity to come. The Himalayan juniper claim is not mere marketing — there is a freshness and aromatic intensity here that dried-berry gins cannot match.
On the palate, Boxer explodes with flavour. Zesty lemon and candied orange open proceedings with generous citrus brightness, while piney juniper provides an assertive backbone. Floral notes — parma violet and lavender — add a dimension of elegance, and faint coal dust and earthy liquorice contribute a savoury, almost mineral quality that gives the gin remarkable depth. Nutmeg and peppery spice complete the picture, creating a palate that is complex, layered, and thoroughly engaging. The mouthfeel at 40% is full and satisfying.
The finish is where Boxer truly distinguishes itself. Dry, black tea leaf-like notes arrive first — sophisticated and unusual — with pine and eucalyptus freshness maintaining the juniper character. Black pepper and cinnamon spice provide warmth that lingers well beyond what most 40% gins achieve. The finish is notably long and deep, lending weight to the claim that the Himalayan juniper extraction delivers a more persistent botanical character.
How to Drink It
The bergamot note makes Boxer a natural partner for an Earl Grey Martini — the tea-like finish harmonises beautifully with the bergamot in the cocktail. For a G&T, use Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and garnish with a slice of orange and a twist of lemon to draw out the dual-citrus character.
In a Negroni, the earthy liquorice and black pepper notes create fascinating interplay with the Campari, and the long finish ensures the gin does not disappear beneath the vermouth. It also makes an excellent gin Old Fashioned, where the spice and chocolate notes respond well to a touch of sugar and Angostura bitters.
The Bottom Line
Boxer Gin earns a 7.5 for delivering a London Dry with genuine distinction. The Himalayan juniper steam distillation is not merely a story — the freshness and depth of the juniper character are measurably superior to standard dried-berry approaches, and the bergamot adds a citrus elegance that elevates the entire botanical bill. The long, tea-like finish is a particular pleasure. At around £32, it represents fair value for a gin with this level of sourcing commitment and flavour complexity. A boxer that punches above its weight.
