Martin Miller Westbourne Strength Gin 750ML

Martin Miller Westbourne Strength Gin 750ML is a higher-proof London Dry style gin distilled in England and brought to 45.2% ABV using pure Icelandic glacial spring water. Named after Westbourne Grove in London's Notting Hill — the neighborhood where the brand was born — this expression pushes the juniper and spice character of the original Martin Miller formula into sharper focus. The elevated proof gives it serious backbone for cocktails while retaining remarkable drinkability neat. It earned 97 points and the title of Spirit of the Year 2003 from the Chicago Beverage Testing Institute, and followed that with a Superlative Platinum Medal and 97 points in BTI's 2020 Best of Year Awards.

Tasting Notes:

Aroma: Clean, pine-forward juniper leads immediately, followed by lime leaf, white flowers, and a subtle cologne-like freshness. Underneath, thick-cut marmalade sweetness and earthy spice notes emerge as the gin opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is bold and juniper-dominant, giving way to generous grapefruit peel and orange peel across the mid-palate. At the peak, cardamom and black peppercorn spice cut through the citrus, balanced by a subtle menthol coolness and a lavender undertone that prevents any single note from overwhelming.

Finish: Medium-long and dry with lingering peppercorn heat and a fresh, vegetal quality attributed to the Icelandic water. Juniper sweetness returns at the very end alongside a dusting of allspice.

How to Drink Martin Miller Westbourne Strength Gin:

The 45.2% ABV makes this an outstanding gin for a classic Martini — it holds its character against dry vermouth without fading. In a Negroni, the amplified juniper and spice stand up to Campari's bitterness far better than standard-proof gins. A straightforward Gin and Tonic with a grapefruit peel garnish lets the citrus and botanical layers shine, while a Bee's Knees cocktail benefits from how the honey syrup interacts with the cardamom and black pepper notes already present in the spirit.

Best For:

• Gin-forward Martini drinkers who want a spirit that won't disappear behind the vermouth
• Elevated cocktail nights where proof and complexity both matter
• Gifting to someone who already knows and appreciates London Dry style gins
• Side-by-side tastings comparing higher-proof gins against their standard-strength counterparts

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does Martin Miller Westbourne Strength Gin taste like? It leads with bold, resinous juniper and grapefruit peel, then develops cardamom spice, orange peel, and menthol coolness. The finish is dry and peppery with a lingering allspice note.

How does Martin Miller Westbourne Strength compare to Hendrick's Gin? Hendrick's is a softer, cucumber-and-rose-driven gin bottled at 41.4% ABV, designed for easy sipping and lighter serves. Westbourne Strength is notably more juniper-forward, higher in proof at 45.2% ABV, and built to drive cocktails where you need the gin to assert itself.

Is Martin Miller Westbourne Strength Gin good for cocktails? Absolutely — the 45.2% ABV was specifically chosen to ensure the botanicals carry through ice dilution and mixers. It excels in spirit-forward drinks like Martinis, Negronis, and Last Words.

Where is Martin Miller Westbourne Strength Gin made? The gin is pot-distilled in England using a wheat-based neutral spirit, employing a distinctive two-stage distillation process — earthy roots and spices in the first run, citrus peels in the second, with a separate cucumber distillation blended in. It is then proofed with water sourced from glacial springs in Iceland.

What foods pair well with Martin Miller Westbourne Strength Gin? Smoked salmon with capers, grilled prawns with lemon, aged Manchego cheese, cured charcuterie with cornichons, and dark chocolate with candied orange peel.

Why Buy Martin Miller?

Martin Miller's is one of a very small number of gin producers that uses Icelandic glacial spring water to bring its spirit to proof — a step that contributes measurably to the fresh, vegetal character that distinguishes it from competitors. The brand's two-stage distillation method, separating earthen botanicals from citrus botanicals before blending, provides an unusual level of control over the final flavor balance. The Westbourne Strength expression earned 97 points and Spirit of the Year from BTI in 2003 and again scored 97 points with a Superlative Platinum Medal in BTI's 2020 Best of Year Awards. It also received 95 points from tastings.com in March 2024, confirming its consistency across two decades of production.