Product Review: Marylebone Gin

It’s rare that a gin gets immediately added to my personal collection.

That’s not because a gin might not be great – it could be stonking – but I like in a one bedroom flat, and between stocks for tastings, bitty sample bottles, and other booze (whisky, tequila, vodka, beer and wine etc) there’s just not the room for me to keep everything I love. 

So it has to be really, really special.

I first tried Marylebone Gin at the Northern Restaurant and Bar Show in Manchester. Drawn by the pretty blue bottle, and knowing it was the latest from Johnny Neill, it was a ‘must try’. And it was love at first sip.

 

 

As mentioned in his interview with me, Johnny tells me that currently Marylebone Gin is being distilled by Thames Distillers, but now that copper still Isabella is in her rightful place in the Marylebone Hotel in, yes you’ve guessed it, Marylebone, distillation will move to there (with a little playful comparison between the two, knowing Johnny). 

Johnny has taken inspiration from the Pleasure Gardens of the 18th and 19th Century, where both the aristocrats (including members of the royal family), would walk side by side with the poorer members of society. Made to be enjoyed at all hours, during the day formal gardens and scented flower beds would offer opportunities for people to stroll and chat (and no doubt show off), and in the evening, lanterns would light the way, creating an almost ethereal, experience. Dotted about would be gazebos and clearings for you to enjoy a picnic, and no doubt dark corners for lovers to steal a glance or a kiss.

As you’d imagine, sight and smell was important in the gardens, and so flowers that would provide beautiful scents and perfumes were just as important as an explosion of colour. 

 

 

Even though it comes in at a pretty hefty 50.3%, Marylebone Gin actually has a very pretty palate. I’d go so far as to describe it as a pretty gin. As you’d expect from such a high ABV, there is a little ethanol on the nose, but this gives way to florals – orange blossom, lemon sherbert, and hints of juniper. 

On the palate it’s floral heaven – yet not in a heavily perfumed way. Rose, orange flower, lime flower and citrus, but still with a good juniper backbone. It really is a smooth, elegant, pretty gin.

 

 

Moving to a G&T, everything becomes much softer. The florals become more delicate, but there’s still a good citrus bite.

For such a high ABV, this gin is scarily easy to drink. Neat, G&T – my next task is to try it in a Martini, as I expect that to be something a little special.

And no, I won’t be sharing.