Cambridge Distillery has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of what gin can be, and their Japanese Gin is perhaps the most compelling example of that ambition. Classified as a London Dry at 42% ABV, this expression sits at a fascinating intersection — the structural discipline of a traditional London Dry method married to what is clearly an East Asian botanical philosophy. It's a combination that shouldn't work as seamlessly as it does, and yet Cambridge have pulled it off with considerable finesse.
A Bridge Between Two Worlds
What strikes me most about this gin is the intent behind it. This isn't a novelty exercise or a marketing gimmick dressed in Japanese aesthetics. Cambridge Distillery has form when it comes to sourcing botanicals with obsessive precision, and the Japanese Gin feels like a natural extension of that ethos. The result is a spirit that carries the clean, juniper-led architecture you'd expect from a London Dry, while delivering a delicacy and restraint that speaks to Japanese sensibilities around balance and harmony.
At £69.75, this is firmly premium territory, but it earns its price point. In a market increasingly crowded with gins that bolt on a geographical descriptor for shelf appeal, Cambridge have done the harder work of genuinely integrating two traditions. The 42% ABV is well-judged — enough weight to carry the botanicals without overwhelming the subtlety that makes this expression distinctive.
I'd give this an 8 out of 10. It's a seriously accomplished gin that rewards considered drinking.
Best Served
A simple serve with premium tonic and a shiso leaf or cucumber garnish lets the botanical balance shine. Bartenders working Japanese-inspired cocktail menus should take note — this is a versatile back-bar addition that performs beautifully in a Martini.
