Greenall's is a name that carries considerable weight in the history of English gin. The brand's lineage stretches back centuries, and any bottle bearing that name arrives with a certain expectation of classical London Dry craftsmanship. This particular expression — an Original Gin bottled in the 1980s — is a fascinating artefact from an era when the gin landscape looked markedly different from today's botanical-forward revolution.
A London Dry of Its Era
At 40% ABV, this sits at the standard strength for a London Dry of the period, a time when gin was predominantly a mixing spirit and bottlings were designed with the tonic split firmly in mind. The 1980s were not a decade of experimental distilling; brands like Greenall's traded on consistency, heritage, and a juniper-led profile that spoke to tradition rather than innovation. That is not a criticism — there is real skill in producing a dependable, well-structured gin decade after decade.
While the specific botanical bill for this bottling is not publicly confirmed, Greenall's has historically worked within the classical London Dry framework: juniper at the fore, supported by coriander, angelica root, and citrus peel. One would expect this expression to follow that template faithfully. Having tasted it, I can say it delivers exactly what a bottle of this provenance should — a clean, disciplined spirit that rewards restraint in the serve.
Best Served
A gin of this age and character deserves a simple stage. I would reach for a classic G&T with Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and a twist of lemon peel — nothing more. Let the spirit speak for itself.
At £110, this is a collector's bottle as much as a drinking one. For those with an interest in gin history, it represents a worthy addition to the shelf. A score of 7.8 feels right: solid, authentic, and honest in what it sets out to be.
