First Impressions
Copper in the Clouds is a young distillery — launched in 2018 in Ware, Hertfordshire — that has quickly built a reputation for award-winning spirits. The name evokes the copper pot stills that produce their gin, and the Hertfordshire Dry is their core expression: a London Dry built on British wheat spirit with a botanical bill that includes lemon verbena, lemon balm, and smoky black cardamom alongside the expected juniper and coriander foundation.
The distillery produces gins, liqueurs, and vodkas, and the international and UK awards suggest the team knows what they are doing.
The Distillery
Copper in the Clouds operates in Ware, Hertfordshire, using British wheat spirit as the base. The botanical bill features juniper, coriander, lemon verbena, lemon balm, and black cardamom among its core ingredients. The lemon verbena and lemon balm contribute beautiful vegetal and grassy citrus notes that are quite different from standard lemon peel, while the black cardamom — smokier and earthier than green cardamom — creates a depth that is unusual in London Dry gin.
Tasting
The nose presents juniper, coriander, and stewed fruits with herbs and bright citrus. The juniper backbone is immediately apparent — this is a gin that packs a hefty juniper punch from the first sniff. The herbs add complexity, and the citrus is authentic rather than merely zesty.
On the palate, the gin is well balanced, with the hefty juniper punch establishing authority early. Earthy herbs provide structure, and the authentic citrus from the lemon verbena and lemon balm is greener and more vegetal than standard citrus peel — a subtle but meaningful difference. Chocolate notes emerge in the mid-palate, and the smoky black cardamom creates a depth that sets this apart from simpler London Drys. The overall impression is of a gin with real substance and character.
The finish is slightly peppery with clean, herbaceous persistence. The black cardamom's smokiness lingers gently.
How to Drink It
In a G&T, use Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and garnish with a sprig of lemon balm or lemon verbena — connecting directly with the botanical bill. The juniper-forward character means it can handle a robust tonic. In a Martini, the smoky cardamom adds an intriguing dimension.
The Bottom Line
Copper in the Clouds Hertfordshire Dry earns a 7 for delivering a juniper-forward London Dry with genuine points of distinction. The lemon verbena and lemon balm provide a citrus character that is more interesting than standard peel, and the black cardamom adds a smoky depth that is uncommon in the category. For a distillery launched only in 2018, the quality and confidence are impressive. At around £38, the price reflects craft production and the awards are backing up the quality.
