This in turn has attracted the eye of new audience who are excited by the chance to explore niche flavours and combinations. Exception Details: System.Web.HttpException: Server cannot set status after HTTP headers have been sent. I've always loved good gin, especially in a dry martini, but around 2000 I'd started to find it harder to find a true London gin. I was working in Tokyo as a banking specialist, and I would often wind down over a martini. One night, I began lamenting to the bartender about the loss of old-style gins. To my surprise he agreed, and gave me a taste from a 1960s bottle and one from 2000. What I found were two very different spirits. Then, even more curious about gin, further research led me to a distiller's handbook from the 1800s and within it a recipe for another lost style of gin – Old Tom. So we started producing this as well. Want to savour a gin and tonic done the right way?! After a lengthy tour around town, we’re bringing you the best gin bars in London that are great for a tipple or three. 1. East London Liquor Company

The ability to toy with the botanicals used in Gin gives makers an impressive amount of artistic license, and this has seen some interesting concoctions being made. The founder, Christian Jensen, stumbled across this gin during his time working in Japan. His favourite bar made him martinis with a gin the bartender said was a special London gin. Before he left Japan the bar-owner gifted him bottle explaining that it was a brand that wasn’t made anymore. Exciting times at The Lakes Distillery as the penultimate sixth edition of its Whiskymaker’s Reserve dropped this week. Fans of the classic, sherry-forward signature of this English whisky will be very pleased, with this edition also bringing plenty of woody spices and subtle floral notes along. It comes at an interesting point in time too, with Sarah Burgess taking up the role of whisky maker and Dhavall Gandhi transitioning to consulting ventures. I think we’re all curious to see how the Lakes style develops with these two powerhouses behind it. It’s perhaps thanks to the wild gin craze of the 18th century and the ensuing suppression of the juniper-based spirit that we still brush gin under the carpet somewhat. Interestingly, some of the gin bars are now just as clandestine as the act of drinking and distilling gin used to be, but that doesn’t detract from their allure – it adds to them, in fact.Distilled from Juniper Berries and any number of botanicals, the clear liquid has been given a new lease of life, with a burst of renewed interest from younger customers. I wanted the gin to be distilled by me under the Jensen's name, so I commissioned a still with John Dore & Co. It now sits under our archway in Bermondsey, where we've distilled ever since. I'm still involved in the banking sector but my real passion lies with producing and drinking the perfect martini. Sound the new regular column klaxon because we’ve got a new regular column! It’s called ‘What we loved this week’ and as you might have guessed it’s a round-up of the most delicious things which we’ve tried recently. These might be new releases or old classics which we have rediscovered.

Jensen’s is one of the most acclaimed distilleries in London and it offers special behind the scenes tours, showcasing how Christian Jensen’s gin is created. Try the full range of the collection, including Bermondsey Dry Gin, the 1840’s inspired Old Tom Gin, and a range of other flavored experimental elixirs.

Doocot very much embodies the signature Kingsbarns style, but with additional time in cask to develop those delicate tropical fruits and floral notes. Made from whisky matured in 90% bourbon barrel and 10% STR (shaved, toasted, and re-charred) casks, the addition of STR is very well done, a measured pinch of seasoning that lets the bourbon cask do its thing and showcases all that distillery character. Doocot has kept the Kingsbarns code, this is light, sweet, and creamy with heaps of tropical fruit, vanilla, and a lovely sour tang reminiscent of rhubarb or raspberries. Give it time and let it shine. Doocot arrives on our shelves on Monday, so keep your eyes peeled. They have created a wonderful London Dry that is infused with fruity flavours such as lemon, pink grapefruit and fresh orange. C.O.L.D offers you the chance to distil your own bottle of gin as well! 4. Merchant House