James Gin London Drizzle

Product Description

James Gin London Drizzle: The Scent of Rain, Distilled

"Gin is traditionally called London Dry, but I live there and usually it isn't," says James May, the broadcaster behind Top Gear and The Grand Tour who's spent the past several years quietly building out a genuinely distinctive gin lineup. For his fourth release (JG.04), May set out to capture petrichor, the unmistakable, universally loved scent that rises from warm pavement the moment light rain hits it. "I've never met anybody who doesn't like that smell," he explains, and rather than chase it through vague marketing language, he and distiller Hugh Anderson found the key ingredient responsible for that petrichor character sitting in an unlikely place: beetroot.

Combining beetroot with lovage, bay, orange, and ginger alongside classic gin botanicals like juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, cubeb pepper, rosemary, caraway seed, liquorice root, and a touch of salt, London Drizzle layers light citrus notes over genuinely earthy, mineral depth, a distinctly rainy quality that's earned real recognition, including a listing from the International Wine & Spirit Competition. True to May's own stated aversion to overwrought spirits marketing, he puts it plainly: "It may not rain at all where you live, but this pours beautifully. We are famous for our humour."

Whether you're drawn in by May's genuine wit, the striking novelty of a beetroot-driven gin, or simply want something earthier and more mineral-forward than a standard London Dry, James Gin London Drizzle delivers real character behind the joke.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Damp earth, crushed herbs, and fresh citrus, with beetroot's petrichor-like minerality upfront, supported by bay leaf and orange zest.

Palate: Soft and earthy, led by vegetal beetroot depth, mellowed by aromatic herbs and sweet orange, with ginger, caraway, and cubeb pepper adding gentle heat and a subtle salinity reminiscent of wet stone and coastal air.

Finish: Clean and dry, with lingering herbal bitterness, a touch of rooty sweetness, and a final flicker of spice.

Food Pairings

James Gin London Drizzle's earthy, mineral profile pairs beautifully with roasted root vegetables, smoked salmon, or a goat cheese salad, dishes that echo its beetroot-driven depth.

Serving Suggestions

James Gin London Drizzle is excellent in a classic Gin & Tonic, a Martini with a lemon peel twist, or a Negroni, where its earthy, savory character adds genuine depth. It also holds up well in a botanical highball or gin sour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this gin unique? It's built around beetroot, the key ingredient behind petrichor, the scent of rain hitting warm pavement, combined with lovage, bay, orange, and ginger for a genuinely earthy, mineral-driven character distinct from a standard London Dry.

Has this gin won any awards? Yes. James Gin London Drizzle has been recognized by the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

What is the alcohol content? 40% ABV (80 proof).

Who created this gin? Broadcaster James May, best known for Top Gear and The Grand Tour, working with distiller Hugh Anderson at Downton Distillery. It's May's fourth gin release.

How should I enjoy it? In a Gin & Tonic, a Martini with lemon peel, a Negroni, or a botanical highball.

Explore More

Looking for more gin? Shop our full Gin collection for London Dry, contemporary, and craft styles from around the world.

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