The name tells you everything and nothing. VJOP — Very Junipery Over Proof — is Sipsmith's unsubtle declaration of intent: a gin that puts juniper front, centre, and everywhere else, dialled up to 57.7% ABV. It sounds like a novelty. It isn't. VJOP is one of the most serious, beautifully made gins in Sipsmith's range, and one of the finest juniper-forward gins produced in Britain.
The Concept
VJOP was created by Sipsmith's then-master distiller Jared Brown, who wanted to explore how far juniper could be pushed before balance was lost. The answer, it turns out, is remarkably far. The botanical bill is essentially Sipsmith London Dry's recipe with a dramatically increased juniper charge — roughly double the standard quantity per distillation. The result is then bottled at cask strength, without dilution.
On the Nose
Juniper. That's the first, second, and third impression. Dense, resinous, almost pine-forest juniper that fills the nostrils with an intensity that's somewhere between exhilarating and overwhelming. But give it time — and this is a gin that absolutely requires patience — and the supporting botanicals emerge: lemon zest, dried orange peel, a whisper of coriander warmth, and the faintest floral note from the orris root. The nose is complex; it just takes a while for the juniper to let its companions speak.
On the Palate
At 57.7%, you'd expect heat. But VJOP is remarkably smooth for its proof — the quality of Sipsmith's copper pot distillation evident in the spirit's texture. The juniper is massive on the palate — a rolling wave of pine, resin, and green herb that fills the mouth completely — but it's not harsh or aggressive. There's a sweetness to the juniper expression that prevents austerity, and the citrus botanicals work hard in the mid-palate to provide brightness and contrast.
The mouthfeel is luxuriously thick and oily — one of the benefits of high-proof distillation — and there's a peppery warmth that builds gradually through the palate without ever becoming hot. This is a gin with real physical presence; it coats the mouth and demands attention.
The Finish
Very long, warming, and — predictably — dominated by juniper. But the finish reveals depth that the initial blast obscures: cinnamon warmth from the cassia bark, a dry earthiness from the angelica root, and a lingering citrus brightness that keeps the finish feeling fresh rather than heavy. It's a finish that rewards patience and attention.
How to Drink It
In a Martini, VJOP is magnificent — possibly the finest Martini gin I know. The intense juniper character shines through the vermouth like a searchlight, creating a cocktail of extraordinary power and presence. Use a 5:1 ratio with dry vermouth and a lemon twist.
In a G&T, use sparingly — 25ml VJOP to 150ml tonic. The juniper character persists even at high dilution, producing a G&T that tastes more intensely of gin than any standard-strength alternative.
The Verdict
Sipsmith VJOP is a triumph of maximalism. It takes gin's defining characteristic — juniper — and amplifies it to an extreme, while maintaining the balance and sophistication that distinguish great gin from merely strong gin. It's not for every occasion, and it's not for every palate. But for juniper lovers, it's the purest expression of their passion in bottle form.
A gin of genuine distinction. One of the best in Britain.
