First Impressions
Foxdenton Estate is perhaps better known for its fruit liqueurs — the Sloe and Damson have rightly earned devoted followings — but the 48% London Dry is the foundation upon which those liqueurs are built, and it deserves recognition in its own right. This is the gin that Foxdenton steeps its wild sloes in, the gin that provides the backbone for the Damson and Raspberry expressions, and judged on its own merits, it is a London Dry of genuine quality and distinction.
Bottled at a commanding 48% ABV — well above the standard 40% — it has the strength to carry its organic botanicals with real conviction. The botanical bill is deliberately compact, with lime flower oil providing the distinctive lift that sets it apart from the crowd.
The Distillery
Foxdenton Estate in Buckinghamshire produces this gin using the finest organic botanicals, and the recipe was tested extensively before the final version was settled upon. The botanical bill is refined: juniper, coriander, orris root, and angelica form the traditional London Dry foundation, with lime flower oil serving as the signature ingredient that elevates the gin above the conventional. Lime flower — from the linden tree — contributes a delicate, honeyed, floral quality that is quite different from lime fruit, and its inclusion shows a botanical sophistication that the simple four-ingredient base might not initially suggest.
The gin received Silver Outstanding in the London Dry Gin category at the International Wines & Spirits Competition in 2014 — recognition from one of the industry's most respected judging panels.
Tasting
The nose is fresh, clean, and traditionally structured. London Dry juniper leads with proper authority — there is no ambiguity about what this gin is. Heavy, almost naan bread-like coriander seed follows, accompanied by the earthy depth of angelica. Under the intriguing juniper, there are spices with a rich, earthy quality — dusty cinnamon and nutmeg with a grassy note that may be the lime flower oil making its subtle contribution. It is a nose that smells like a very good London Dry should — traditional, confident, and complex.
On the palate, a citrus lime zest burst opens proceedings with vivid brightness before settling into an equally traditional, clean palate. Orris root provides its distinctive earthy parma violet flavour — a quality that orris delivers like no other botanical — and the mouthfeel is wonderfully creamy, with great thickness and luxuriousness. The 48% ABV is entirely responsible for this textural quality, and it is one of the gin's most compelling attributes. The flavours add a delicate elegance that belies the high proof — there is no burn, just a richness that carries every botanical with clarity.
The finish is packed with flavour. Coriander and angelica root leave a lasting impression — warm, earthy, and deeply satisfying. These notes continue into a finish that, like the nose, rewards attention. The persistence is remarkable, and the lime flower oil adds a final whisper of honeyed florality as the gin exits.
How to Drink It
At 48%, Foxdenton is a superb Martini gin. The strength, the creamy mouthfeel, and the traditional botanical structure create a Martini of genuine quality — try it at 4:1 with dry vermouth and a twist of lime (connecting with the lime flower botanical). In a G&T, the high ABV means it holds its character against generous tonic — use Fever-Tree Indian and garnish with a sprig of fresh basil, which brings out the herbal notes.
It also makes an outstanding Negroni, where the 48% strength stands up to Campari with authority.
The Bottom Line
Foxdenton 48% London Dry earns an 8 for being one of the finest London Dry gins available at its price point. The organic botanicals are impeccably sourced, the lime flower oil provides a point of genuine distinction, and the 48% ABV gives the gin a creamy richness and botanical intensity that standard-strength gins cannot approach. The IWSC Silver Outstanding was richly deserved. At around £35, it is a bottle that belongs on the shelf of any serious gin drinker — and it is the foundation of some of the best fruit liqueurs in England. That alone tells you everything about its quality.
