Wessex Distillery London Dry Gin, 41.3% ABV, 70cl

Product Information

We wanted to create a well-balanced, smooth, traditional craft gin. Our no-fuss approach highlights the pure quality of our distillation method and allows the juniper flavour to be the focus. Based in the Wessex countryside, our family-run local distillery strives to create heavenly, premium gin.

Alternatively, try a Charlie Chaplin; Add equal measures of Wessex Distillery’s English sloe gin, apricot brandy, and lime juice. Shake, strain, then garnish with lime peel. As Jonathan says, “Alfred battled the Vikings throughout his entire reign, and this is reflected in the big thump of piney juniper.” Why not go all out and try our classic gin in a Martini. Add a drop of vermouth and finish with a twist of grapefruit into a chilled glass.The time of Alfred the Great was one of great upheaval, and folk wisdom and religion played a huge role in binding the embattled Anglo-Saxons together and providing comfort and a sense of control. Herbal concoctions would have been used to heal physical and emotional hurts alike – not unlike a well-made G&T! A blanket of mystery and magic hung over the entire era, and Gill and Jonathan were keen to explore it further. Perfect as a double measure in a Wessex chalice , add a generous amount of ice, filled to the top with light tonic water and a twist of grapefruit.

Indeed, City of London Distillery made quite a name for itself as the craft gin industry boomed, winning awards all over the world. The success suited the perfectionist in Jonathan, and he worked hard to fine tune and expand the City of London Distillery range. In September 2018, his Six Bells Gin was even selected as our Gin of the Month! Or, try a negroni, equal measures of Alfred the Great gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Finally, top with a twist of orange. Join us to toast Pride Month with our Special Edition Wessex Respect Gin. Here's to celebrating diversity, individuality, and inclusivity. Cheers to Pride! 🏳️‍🌈 With so much experience and success behind him, it was crucial for Jonathan to make Wessex Distillery’s flagship gin as spectacular as the life of the man who inspired it. He also wanted this first gin to reflect his own palate, and the kind of gins he most enjoyed drinking in his downtime.But all good things must come to an end, and after 40 years in the City of London, Jonathan decided it was time to move on. But the quiet life of post-retirement didn’t entirely appeal. Located half way between Haslemere and Godalming in the heart of the Surrey Hills,Wessex Distillery has been crafting gin since 2017. A family run business, this craft distillerystrives to create the best English gin. Open to visitors you can enjoy a gin distillery tour,which will takeyou step by step through the distillation process, so you can learn how we make the best British craft gin in the UK. Craft gin has been growing in popularity for years, and customers are beginning to expect great craft gin options at pubs, bars, and shops across the country. English gin, in particular, is famous for its quality and authenticity. We know that the UK is full of avid gin drinkers searching for new gins to try, and that’s why gin wholesalers UK come to us. Since customers go to restaurants and pubs for a quality experience, one they couldn’t create at home, we help businesses go the extra mile. Why Work with Wessex Distillery? In this oft-overlooked historical era, folk wisdom and fervent religion made sense of the chaos and pain of a war-torn world. It was a time of hopes and prayers, spells and enchantments, potions and alchemy, where the bounty of England’s forests and fields could mean the difference between life and death – and the Anglo-Saxons documented all their hard-earned herbal remedies in an ancient text called the Herbarium. Tasting Notes: Taste England’s best sloe gin for a pleasantly sweet, earthy flavour with subtle hints of almond. Our craft gin has a high quality, light, refreshing palate.

We wanted to bring a bit of Wessex magic to the gins,” says Jonathan, “so we started exploring the plants and herbs that were around in the Anglo-Saxon era – not just grown here, but also what might have been brought in from overseas.” It took one incredible king to bring these kingdoms together and vanquish the Viking threat: Alfred the Great. An unlikely war hero, with crippling stomach problems but an unparalleled intellect, Alfred lived in a world where magic, mystery and medicine were all rolled into one. Priding itself on using premium, locally sourced ingredients and distilling in its copper distillery, Wessex is where traditional methods meet contemporary, innovative flavours. Whether adhering to classic gin profiles or venturing into experimental territories, the distillery seeks to satiate the palates of both traditional gin lovers and adventurous spirits alike. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the array of awards bestowed upon their gins, further solidifying their place amongst the upper echelons of English gin producers. With City of London Distillery, we very much enjoyed the benefits of being connected to a geographical location,” Jonathan says. “When we were thinking about this new distillery, we wanted the same connection.”Wessex Distillery’s Alfred the Great Gin is a citrus-led gin – a nod to Jonathan’s palate – and the supporting botanicals have been selected to pay tribute to its namesake. This includes the classic gin botanical of juniper, which is notable in this spirit for its power.

Tasting Notes: Our exceptionally smooth premium gin is precisely balanced, with a strong initial thump of juniper, followed by enlightening coriander and lively citrus endnotes.They started looking into their new home and, being England, there were many thousands of years to explore. But one historical era in particular stayed with them: Anglo-Saxon Britain. It doesn’t stand out as a distinct flavour,” says Jonathan of chervil, “but we think it adds something to the taste of juniper.” Awarded the IWSC 2022 UK Gin Producer of the Year trophy, Wessex Distillery is more than a mere producer of gin; it's a guardian of traditional English gin, an innovator of new flavour profiles, and a steward for sustainable, responsible production in the modern age. It was intoxicating stuff. As Jonathan says, “With its fascinating history, myths and stories, the idea of Wessex caught the imagination.”