Fifty Pounds Gin 750ML is a small-batch London dry gin bottled at 43.5% ABV (87 proof) in a 750ml bottle. It earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 93 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, placing it among the most decorated gins in its class.Quick Facts: ABV: 43.5% | Origin: London, England | Style: London Dry Gin | Distillery: Thames DistilleryProduction & HeritageFifty Pounds Gin is produced at Thames Distillery in London, a contract distillery known for producing several respected gin brands. The base is a grain spirit distilled four times before it meets the botanical charge, which draws ingredients from four continents: Croatian juniper berries, Middle Eastern coriander seeds, Spanish orange and lemon peels, Italian liquorice, French savory, African grains of paradise, and English angelica root. Each batch yields approximately one thousand bottles, keeping production deliberately limited and allowing tighter quality control over the distillation run.Tasting NotesAroma: Clean and classically structured, opening with bright lemon and lime zest before settling into a firm juniper core. A subtle creamy sweetness lingers beneath the citrus, giving the nose an inviting depth without excessive perfume.Taste: The palate enters smooth and focused, led by juniper that quickly gives way to layered citrus — grapefruit, orange peel, and lemon. Mid-palate, coriander spice and ginger warmth emerge alongside earthy herbal undertones from the angelica and savory. The texture is medium-bodied with a slight oiliness that carries the botanicals evenly.Finish: Long, dry, and clean with a measured astringency. A faint hint of anise cookie and gentle heat close out the experience, leaving the juniper signature intact.How to Drink Fifty PoundsAt 43.5%, Fifty Pounds holds up well neat or with a single ice cube, which opens the citrus aromatics without drowning the juniper backbone. Its balanced botanical profile makes it a strong cocktail gin as well. A Gin & Tonic with a grapefruit twist highlights the citrus-forward character. A Martini benefits from the gin's dry, juniper-led structure and creamy mouthfeel. A Negroni works particularly well because the grains of paradise spice and liquorice root stand up to Campari's bitterness without getting lost.Best For Gifting a gin enthusiast who appreciates classic London dry style with global botanical complexity Building a home bar with a critically acclaimed, versatile mixing gin Hosting a gin tasting alongside other London dry expressions to showcase small-batch character Pairing with a refined dinner course where juniper and citrus complement the menu Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Fifty Pounds taste like? Fifty Pounds Gin is juniper-forward with layers of lemon, grapefruit, and orange peel, followed by coriander spice, ginger warmth, and a clean dry finish with a subtle anise note.How does Fifty Pounds compare to Beefeater? Both are London dry gins distilled in London, but Fifty Pounds is bottled at a higher ABV (43.5% vs. Beefeater's standard 40%) and produced in batches limited to roughly one thousand bottles. Fifty Pounds also incorporates less common botanicals like grains of paradise and savory, giving it a spicier, more herbaceous profile compared to Beefeater's straightforward citrus-juniper character.Is Fifty Pounds good for cocktails? Yes — its 43.5% ABV provides enough backbone to carry through mixed drinks, and the broad botanical range adds complexity to classic gin cocktails like Martinis, G&Ts, and Negronis without overwhelming other ingredients.Where is Fifty Pounds made? Fifty Pounds Gin is distilled at Thames Distillery in London, England. The botanicals are sourced from seven countries across four continents, including Croatia, Spain, Italy, France, the Middle East, Africa, and England.What foods pair well with Fifty Pounds? Smoked salmon or cured fish echo the gin's citrus brightness. Grilled prawns with lemon complement the juniper and coriander. Aged hard cheeses like Manchego match the earthy, slightly spicy undertones. Herb-crusted lamb benefits from the savory and angelica root notes. Dark chocolate with orange peel mirrors the citrus-liquorice interplay on the finish.What sizes does Fifty Pounds come in? The standard and most widely available format is the 750ml bottle.Is Fifty Pounds worth the price? Fifty Pounds positions as a premium small-batch London dry gin, sitting above mass-produced brands like Beefeater and Tanqueray but below ultra-premium artisanal releases. Its Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 93-point score at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge suggest strong value at the premium tier.Why Fifty Pounds?What separates Fifty Pounds from the crowded London dry gin field is the intersection of small-batch discipline and genuinely global botanical sourcing. Limited runs of roughly one thousand bottles per batch allow the distillers at Thames Distillery to maintain consistency that larger-volume operations struggle to match. The seven-botanical recipe — pulled from Croatia, Spain, Italy, France, the Middle East, Africa, and England — produces a gin that reads as classically London dry on first sip but reveals uncommon spice and herbal depth as it develops. A Double Gold at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 93 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and 92 points from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2012 confirm that the critical community agrees: this is a serious gin punching well above its weight.
