Fifty Pounds Gin Review: Elegant, Spicy and Built for Classic Cocktails
Everything about Fifty Pounds Gin, from the name and the history to the bottle and the final flavor of this gin, is studied in detail.
The name itself is a tribute to the infamous Gin Act of 1736, which imposed a £50 annual licence fee on anyone wishing to produce and sell gin in England. Fifty Pounds takes that piece of London history and turns it into a very classic, very polished London Dry Gin.
The starting point is a neutral grain spirit already distilled four times. The botanicals are then left to macerate for at least two days before everything is distilled again, slowly, in a John Dore pot still. Heads and tails are discarded and only the heart is kept, the cleanest and most expressive part of the distillation.
Nothing exotic, just old-school distilling done properly.
The recipe uses eleven botanicals. Eight are known: juniper, coriander seeds, angelica root, licorice, orange peel, lemon peel, grains of paradise and savory. The remaining three are kept secret.
After distillation, the gin rests for at least three weeks, allowing the essential oils and aromas to settle and knit together before bottling.
Fifty Pounds Gin bouquet
The result is an elegant and measured symphony, spicy and pungent, with a sumptuous bouquet and a beautiful alternation of dry spices, citrus fruit and juniper. Orange and lemon peel keep pulsing in the background, giving rhythm and freshness, while the floral and herbaceous notes add finesse.
Fifty Pounds Gin knows how to seduce the nose gracefully without shouting.
What does Fifty Pounds Gin taste like?
On the palate, elegance still dominates. It is structured and solid, with good alcoholic weight, but what really comes forward is its softness and aromatic cleanliness.
Juniper is clear and proud, followed by citrus peel, herbs, licorice and peppery spices. The finish is dry, clean and lively, with plenty of pepper and warming spice.
At 43.5% ABV, it has enough backbone to stand tall in cocktails without becoming aggressive.
Fifty Pounds Gin price
Fifty Pounds Gin is clearly made with obsessive care and you notice it from the first sip, even neat and just slightly chilled.
Today the street price is generally around 27-35 euros for a 70 cl bottle, depending on the retailer, which is more than reasonable for a London Dry Gin of this quality.
What cocktails should you make with Fifty Pounds Gin?
Its soft, disciplined nature makes it perfect for dry, classic cocktails. There is absolutely no need to bury it under mountains of juice: keep it simple and let the gin speak.Start with a Gin Tonic, then Paradise, Tom Collins, Heidi, Bramble, Negroni, French 75, Tuxedo, Dry Martini.
