Dyfi Original Gin is one of those bottles that caught my attention precisely because of its understated confidence. At 45% ABV, it sits at a strength that tells me the distiller wants you to experience this gin properly — not hiding behind a lower proof, but not pushing into navy strength territory either. That sweet spot speaks to a team that knows what they're doing.
A London Dry With Character
What I find particularly interesting about Dyfi Original is that it carries the London Dry classification, which immediately tells us something important about how it's made. London Dry isn't just a style — it's a legally defined production method. All the botanical flavour must come from the distillation process itself, with nothing added afterwards except water and a tiny amount of sweetening. It's the most honest category in gin-making, and I always respect a distillery that chooses to work within those constraints rather than taking shortcuts with post-distillation flavouring.
Best Served
At 45% ABV, this is a gin built to hold its own in cocktails. I'd reach for it in a classic Martini — somewhere around a 3:1 ratio with a quality dry vermouth, stirred over plenty of ice until properly diluted, then strained into a frozen coupe. That strength means the botanical character should carry through the vermouth rather than getting lost. Equally, a simple G&T with a premium Indian tonic and a twist of lemon peel would let the London Dry backbone shine. The price point of £37.50 positions it as a considered purchase, and at this level I'd want to savour it in drinks where the gin genuinely leads.
Dyfi Original earns a solid 7.5 out of 10 from me — a well-constructed London Dry at a confident strength that promises versatility across both simple serves and more complex cocktail applications.
