Withers G1 Gin lands squarely in London Dry territory — a category that demands juniper takes the lead and lets everything else fall in behind. At 40% ABV, it sits at the legal minimum for gin, which tells me the distiller is aiming for approachability over intensity. Nothing wrong with that. Some of my favourite everyday pours clock in right at this mark.
Style & Character
The G1 designation suggests this is either a flagship expression or the first in a planned lineup. Either way, it carries the confidence of a brand putting its best foot forward. As a London Dry, you can expect a clean, juniper-forward profile — no added sugars, no artificial flavours post-distillation. The style is honest by definition. Without confirmed botanicals, I can't speak to specifics, but classic London Dry construction typically leans on coriander seed, angelica root, and citrus peel to support that juniper backbone.
Value & Positioning
At £32.50, Withers G1 sits in a competitive middle ground. You're paying more than supermarket own-labels but less than the craft premium tier. For a London Dry at this price, I want reliability — a gin that performs well in a G&T, holds its own in a Martini, and doesn't disappear behind tonic water. The 40% ABV does make that last point a genuine consideration. Lower-strength gins can get bulldozed by a heavy-handed pour of tonic.
I'd rate this 7.3 out of 10 — a solid, competent London Dry that does what it sets out to do without unnecessary theatre. It doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, and sometimes that restraint is exactly what the shelf needs.
Best Served
Try it in a highball with a premium Indian tonic, a thick grapefruit peel, and a couple of lightly crushed shiso leaves. The herbal lift from the shiso plays beautifully against classic juniper — a trick I picked up at a rooftop bar in Shibuya that I've never stopped using.
