First Impressions
Piston Gin takes its name from engineering — an ode to the classic mechanics that its Worcestershire creators admire. The gin itself is a piece of botanical engineering: 14 ingredients including some genuinely unusual additions — blackberry, hibiscus flower, Chinese rhubarb root, lemongrass, burdock, and smoky ancho chilli. The last of these is the most intriguing: a mild Mexican chilli that brings smokiness rather than heat, and its inclusion signals a gin that is willing to venture well beyond the traditional botanical playbook.
The distillery operates in Worcester, and the gin has earned double gold, gold, silver, and bronze medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — credentials that suggest the unconventional botanical bill delivers results.
The Distillery
Piston Distillery in Worcestershire produces this gin in small batches, and the 14-botanical bill is among the more adventurous in British gin. Alongside the expected juniper foundation, the inclusion of blackberry and hibiscus flower adds fruity, floral dimensions; Chinese rhubarb root contributes earthy, slightly bitter complexity; lemongrass provides bright, citric freshness; burdock adds an earthy, rooty quality; and the smoky ancho chilli delivers the gin's most distinctive characteristic — a gentle smokiness that lingers in the background like a campfire on the horizon.
Tasting
The nose is complex yet not overwhelming — a balance that the 14-botanical bill could easily have failed to achieve. Vibrant citrus leads, probably the lemongrass making its presence felt, with bittersweet notes following. Earthy undertones from the rhubarb root and burdock provide depth, and a whisper of smoke from the ancho chilli hovers at the edges — detectable but never dominant. It is an intriguing nose that promises something different.
On the palate, vibrant citrus brings bittersweet notes that open proceedings with engaging brightness. Sweet, earthy flavours follow — the blackberry and hibiscus contributing fruity complexity — alongside the whisper of smoke from the ancho chilli and a savoury, spicy depth that gives the gin its most distinctive quality. The mouthfeel is mild on the tongue with a slight burn at the end, and the 42% ABV provides adequate body for the complex botanical bill. The smoky-savoury-sweet progression is unlike anything else in British gin.
The finish is rich and smooth, with lingering smoky-savoury character that extends the drinking experience pleasantly. The ancho chilli's contribution is most evident here — a gentle warmth and smokiness that persists without any chilli heat.
How to Drink It
The smoky character makes Piston a fascinating Martini gin — the smokiness creates an almost Mezcal-like dimension in a dry Martini. In a G&T, use Fever-Tree Indian Tonic and garnish with a fresh blackberry and a slice of pink grapefruit — the fruit in the garnish connects with the berry botanicals in the gin.
For cocktails that benefit from complexity and smoke — a Penicillin variation, a Smoked Negroni — Piston adds a dimension that conventional gins cannot provide.
The Bottom Line
Piston Dry Gin earns a 7 for delivering genuine originality through a 14-botanical bill that includes some truly unexpected ingredients. The ancho chilli smokiness is the standout — subtle, sophisticated, and unlike anything in the gin mainstream. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition medals confirm the quality, and the Worcestershire provenance adds craft credibility. At around £36, it is priced in line with premium craft gins, and the complexity justifies the cost. A gin for drinkers who want their spirits to surprise them.
