VRSD No.1 London Dry Gin arrives with the quiet confidence of a spirit that knows exactly what it sets out to be. At 40% ABV — the legal minimum for gin and a standard that many London Drys hold to with good reason — it positions itself as an accessible, everyday expression rather than a cask-strength showpiece. There is nothing wrong with that. Some of the most dependable gins in my cabinet sit at precisely this strength.
Style & Category
The London Dry designation is not merely a geographical label; it is a guarantee of method. To carry this classification, VRSD No.1 must be produced with all its botanical character introduced during distillation, with no artificial flavourings or colours added after the fact. It is a commitment to purity of process, and it tells me before I even pour that juniper will lead the charge. That is the compact a London Dry makes with the drinker, and I respect any producer willing to be held to it.
Botanical Character
While the full botanical bill has not been publicly confirmed by the brand, the London Dry framework demands that juniper predominates. Beyond that signature resinous backbone, one can reasonably expect the classic supporting cast — coriander seed, angelica root, citrus peel — though I would welcome greater transparency from VRSD on this front. A gin's botanicals are its story, and drinkers deserve to read it.
Best Served
A London Dry at this strength is built for a crisp G&T — Fever-Tree Indian Tonic, a generous wedge of pink grapefruit, and plenty of ice. It would also hold its own in a classic Martini, provided you keep the vermouth in check.
At £32.25, VRSD No.1 sits in a competitive corridor. It does not attempt to reinvent the wheel, and at 7.5 out of 10 it earns a solid recommendation as a dependable, well-priced London Dry — though I would like to see the brand share more of its provenance and botanical detail to truly distinguish itself in an increasingly crowded field.
