First Impressions
Fords Gin — created by bartender Simon Ford and distilled by Thames Distillers' master distiller Charles Maxwell — is already one of the bartending community's favourite gins. Officers' Reserve takes the Fords recipe, brings it to overproof strength, and rests it in Amontillado Sherry casks for three weeks. The result is a gin that bridges the gap between gin and sherry-finished whisky — golden in colour, rich in flavour, and backed by a 54.5% ABV that gives it genuine power.
The Distillery
Thames Distillers produces the Fords gin base using botanicals including juniper, coriander, orange and grapefruit peel, lemon peel, angelica, orris, cassia, and jasmine. The Officers' Reserve expression takes this base to overproof and rests it in Amontillado Sherry casks — the sherry's nutty, oxidative character infusing the gin with plum, caramel, and honey notes.
Tasting
The nose is citrus-led with subtle spice, and the Amontillado cask contributes plum and caramel aromas — a gin nose with sherry depth.
On the palate, honey and citrus arrive initially, developing into aromatic coriander, juniper, and orange with a subtle ginger undercurrent. Despite the 54.5% ABV, the flavours are robustly expressed and harmoniously integrated — the sherry cask smooths what could be aggressive. The mid-palate shows juniper oils and citrus oils working beautifully together.
The finish is lightly tannic, with citrus and pepper fading alongside tingling heat. Juniper exits first, leaving a lingering mix of oranges, honey, and ginger — the sherry cask's gift to the conclusion.
How to Drink It
In a Negroni — the overproof strength and sherry character create the most complex, richest Negroni you will ever drink. Also excellent in an Old Fashioned or served with a single large ice cube as a sipping gin.
The Bottom Line
Fords Officers' Reserve earns an 8 for taking an already excellent gin and adding Amontillado sherry complexity at overproof strength. The three-week cask rest is perfectly judged — long enough to add plum, honey, and caramel, but not so long as to obscure the gin's botanical character. At around £35, the value is extraordinary for a sherry-rested, overproof gin of this quality. The bartender's gin, promoted to officer rank.
