First Impressions
Colonel Fox's London Dry Gin takes its name from the Cremorne Pleasure Gardens — a Victorian entertainment venue in Chelsea that operated from 1845 to 1877, where the fictional Colonel Fox might well have enjoyed his gin. The brand is called Cremorne 1859, and the gin is produced at Thames Distillers in London using six botanicals in the traditional London Dry method. It is a gin that evokes a particular era of gin history — the mid-Victorian period when London Dry was establishing itself as the dominant style.
Six botanicals. Thames Distillers' expertise. A Victorian narrative. The question is whether the liquid matches the storytelling.
The Distillery
Thames Distillers in Clapham handles the production, and the six-botanical bill is classically composed: juniper, coriander, angelica, cassia, liquorice, and bitter orange peel. There are no surprises here — this is a London Dry constructed from the essential building blocks of the style. At 40% ABV, it is bottled at the standard strength for commercially positioned gins.
Tasting
The nose is oily and unctuous — the juniper rich and well-extracted, with a forested character that speaks to properly sourced berries. Bitter orange zest provides citrus brightness, and hints of angelica earthiness add depth. There are notes of mixed herbs and a touch of aniseed, and the overall impression is of a classic, uncompromising gin nose. It is the nose of a gin that knows exactly what it is.
On the palate, the entry is tangy and earthy, with oily juniper, allspice, and star anise-like notes from the cassia. There is a touch of ginger warmth, and juniper holds court throughout — this is emphatically a juniper gin. Bitter orange arrives mid-palate, providing some citrus relief from the juniper's intensity. However, some tasters find the spirit overpowers at 40% — the heat is more prominent than the botanical complexity might warrant, suggesting the six-botanical bill could benefit from more ingredients to fill the palate.
The finish is pleasant and slightly warm, with a spiced aftertaste of cassia and juniper. Angelica and citrus provide herbal and citrus notes that linger briefly. The finish is on the shorter side, with heat being the last thing to fade.
How to Drink It
Colonel Fox's is best in a G&T, where the tonic softens the spirit's heat and the juniper intensity works in the gin's favour. Use Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a slice of orange to draw out the bitter orange botanical. In a Negroni, the oily juniper character holds its own against Campari.
The Bottom Line
Colonel Fox's earns a 6.5 as a solid, juniper-forward London Dry that delivers the basics competently but lacks the subtlety and complexity to distinguish itself in a crowded market. The six-botanical bill is classically composed but leaves the palate wanting more layers, and the heat at 40% suggests the spirit could benefit from either more botanicals or a higher proof to carry them. The Victorian branding is charming, and Thames Distillers' quality is reliable, but at around £30, more compelling options exist. A reliable mixing gin with a good story.
