What it tastes like
Classic London Dry juniper but smoother than Tanqueray and rounder than Beefeater. Ten botanicals including cassia, almond, liquorice, and three types of citrus peel. Drinks like a more refined version of the classics.
The 41.6% ABV is right in the sweet spot. Loud enough to stand up in cocktails, gentle enough to sip with a single ice cube and a lemon twist.
How to drink it
Gin and tonic with a lemon peel. Negroni. Martini, dry, with a twist. Sipsmith is one of those gins that disappears into whatever cocktail it lands in and improves the result.
Also worth sipping over one big ice cube to taste why people pay the extra. Most supermarket gin doesn’t reward this; Sipsmith does.
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Why it matters
Sipsmith launched in 2009 as the first new London distillery in nearly 200 years. They had to lobby UK law to make it legal to distill gin in copper stills smaller than 1,800 litres. They won. Every craft distillery in England since owes them.
Beam Suntory bought Sipsmith in 2016 but the recipe and process haven’t changed. Still made in Chiswick, still on the original three copper stills (Prudence, Patience, Constance).
Sipsmith VJOP is something else
VJOP (Very Junipery Over Proof) is the 57.7% expression with way more juniper. It’s a different drink entirely: massive, intense, designed for serious sipping or for cocktails that need a gin that absolutely won’t be buried. If you love juniper, you’ll love VJOP.
Best cocktails to make with Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Sipsmith makes any classic gin cocktail better. Pay the upgrade tax for showcase drinks.
How it stacks up
How Sipsmith compares to other premium and supermarket gins.
| Gin | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sipsmith London Dry | Refined London Dry, smooth, well-balanced | Showcase cocktails, sipping, premium G&T |
| Tanqueray | Big juniper, traditional, cheaper | Everyday classics, Negroni, Tom Collins |
| Bombay Sapphire | Softer, accessible, cheaper | Almost everything |
| Plymouth | Earthier, softer | Aviation, Bramble, sipping |
| Sipsmith VJOP | Same DNA, way more juniper, 57.7% ABV | Serious sipping, juniper-bomb cocktails |
Substitutions and swaps
Sipsmith is the upgrade from supermarket gin. Use accordingly.
Sipsmith works at 1:1, slightly smoother. Worth the extra cost for showcase drinks; not worth it for everyday cocktails.
Sipsmith is the upgrade. The drink will be more refined but cost meaningfully more.
Sipsmith is exactly what ‘London Dry’ should taste like. Use confidently.
Sipsmith VJOP. Same family, much louder.
Beefeater is the cheap, loud equivalent. Different style but similar punch.
You’re making a fruit-heavy or sweet cocktail. The Sipsmith refinement is wasted under sugar. Buy Bombay or Tanqueray instead.
You’re on a budget. Sipsmith costs nearly double Tanqueray. The quality difference is real but small.
You want cucumber-rose softness. Sipsmith is traditional London Dry. Hendrick’s is the soft one.
Where to buy Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Where to buy
Sipsmith is widely available at better bottle shops, premium supermarkets, and online specialists. Less common at budget retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people ask about this bottle.
What is Sipsmith gin?
Sipsmith is a premium London Dry gin made in Chiswick, west London, by the distillery of the same name. Launched 2009, owned by Beam Suntory since 2016 but still made on the original three copper stills.
Is Sipsmith good gin?
Yes, exceptionally. It’s regarded as one of the best London Dry gins on the market. Refined, balanced, and a noticeable step up from supermarket gins like Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire.
What does Sipsmith taste like?
Classic London Dry juniper but smoother and more refined than the supermarket equivalents. Ten botanicals, three types of citrus peel, soft modern edges. Drinks neat without flinching.
Sipsmith vs Tanqueray?
Both London Dry. Sipsmith is smoother, more refined, costs nearly double. Tanqueray is louder, traditional, cheaper. For showcase cocktails, Sipsmith. For everyday, Tanqueray.
What’s Sipsmith VJOP?
The 57.7% ABV expression with much more juniper. Designed for serious sippers and cocktails that need a gin that won’t get buried. A different drink to standard Sipsmith.
Why is Sipsmith expensive?
Small-batch production, copper stills, premium botanicals. The price reflects actual production cost, not just marketing. Worth it for showcase cocktails; less worth it for casual drinking.
Did Sipsmith change after Beam Suntory bought them?
The recipe and copper stills haven’t changed. Distribution scaled significantly, which means it’s much easier to find now than pre-2016. Quality hasn’t dropped.
Is Sipsmith vegan?
Yes. Sipsmith is plant-based and confirmed vegan-friendly.
