First Impressions
Wolfe Bros Gin has one of the more improbable origin stories in craft spirits. The original Wolfe Brothers were 20th-century jewellers based in Leeds, and their store became the site of a micro-distillery when hospitality veterans launched a gin brand during the 2020 lockdown. The distillery produces gin in extraordinarily tiny 20-litre batches — a scale that is practically artisanal to a fault, but allows for the kind of hands-on attention that larger operations cannot provide.
Eight botanicals, copper-pot distilled, with leading citrus notes and a hint of hibiscus. It is a Yorkshire gin with genuine micro-batch credentials.
The Distillery
Wolfe Bros operates from the former jewellery shop in Leeds, producing gin in 20-litre batches using a copper pot still. The eight botanicals — juniper, coriander seed, hibiscus, orange peel, cassia bark, liquorice root, angelica root, and dehydrated lemon — are a classic London Dry foundation with hibiscus as the most distinctive addition, contributing both floral character and a faint pink tinge. The tiny batch size means each distillation can be monitored with extraordinary precision.
Tasting
The nose is bold and bright, with fresh herbs and warming citrus. Juniper hits strongly first, followed by citrus — the dehydrated lemon and orange peel providing a one-two punch of citrus brightness. The overall impression is of energy and freshness.
On the palate, the gin is fresh and zesty with bursts of coriander providing peppery warmth and a fresh citrus lift from the dual citrus botanicals. Piney juniper and cedar wood provide savoury depth, and the overall character is bright, assertive, and well-structured at 42% ABV. The hibiscus adds a subtle floral quality in the mid-palate.
The finish is light and floral, with hibiscus warmth and a clean exit. It is a brisk, refreshing conclusion.
How to Drink It
The citrus-forward character makes Wolfe Bros excellent in a G&T — use premium tonic with lime wedges or a twist of orange peel, as the distillery suggests. In a Negroni, the cassia bark warmth and liquorice depth hold up well against Campari.
The Bottom Line
Wolfe Bros London Dry earns a 7 for delivering a bold, citrus-forward Yorkshire gin with genuine micro-batch credentials. The 20-litre batch size is extraordinary, and the eight-botanical bill is classically composed with the hibiscus adding a point of gentle distinction. The Leeds jewellery-shop-to-distillery story is charming, and the quality of the gin backs it up. At around £35, the price reflects the tiny production scale, and the freshness and brightness of the gin make it a worthy Yorkshire addition to the London Dry canon.
