86 Co. Ford's London Dry Gin 750ML

86 Co. Ford's London Dry Gin 750ML is a nine-botanical, juniper-forward London dry gin distilled at Thames Distillers in London and bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof). Named Best New Spirit at Tales of the Cocktail in 2013 and awarded five stars by the Spirit Journal, Ford's was engineered from the ground up as a bartender's gin — designed to perform across a wide range of classic and contemporary cocktails without sacrificing depth when sipped neat.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 proof)  |  Origin: London, England  |  Style: London Dry  |  Distillery: Thames Distillers

Production & Heritage

Ford's is distilled at Thames Distillers under the direction of master distiller Charles Maxwell, whose family's distilling lineage spans multiple generations. Nine botanicals — juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, orris root, cassia bark, jasmine flower, lemon peel, bitter orange peel, and grapefruit peel — are steeped for 15 hours before distillation in 500-liter copper pot stills. That extended maceration extracts a notably high oil content from the botanicals, resulting in the rich, viscous texture that distinguishes Ford's from leaner London dry gins. The spirit is proofed down with pure spring water to its final 45% ABV before bottling — a strength chosen specifically to maintain aromatic intensity and structural integrity in diluted cocktail applications.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Juniper leads immediately, joined by coriander and angelica root in the first wave. Beneath that foundation, bright citrus oils — lemon and grapefruit — emerge alongside a delicate layer of jasmine and faint vanilla.

Taste: A light sweetness greets the tip of the tongue before the mid-palate fills with prominent juniper oils and assertive coriander spice. Citrus peel — particularly grapefruit and bitter orange — excites the sides of the palate, while cassia bark provides subtle warmth. The mouthfeel is remarkably full-bodied, rich and slightly oily with a velvety softness that belies the 45% ABV.

Finish: Long and lingering, anchored by grapefruit rind and persistent juniper that slowly give way to floral jasmine and earthy angelica. The finish mirrors the palate faithfully, with all primary botanical notes sustaining well beyond the final sip.

How to Drink Ford's Gin

Ford's rewards neat tasting, especially at room temperature where the 15-hour botanical steep reveals its full aromatic range. A single large ice cube opens the texture further without collapsing the juniper structure. Where Ford's truly excels, however, is in cocktails — the reason it was created.

• Martini: The silky viscosity and balanced juniper-to-citrus ratio produce a Martini with textural elegance and clean aromatics, whether stirred with dry or wet vermouth.
• Negroni: At 90 proof, Ford's stands up confidently to Campari and sweet vermouth, its grapefruit-and-cassia backbone cutting through the bitterness without being overpowered.
• Gin & Tonic: The high oil content and triple-citrus profile (lemon, orange, grapefruit) create a G&T with noticeably more depth and length than many standard London dry expressions.

Best For

• Home bartenders building a serious cocktail shelf around a single versatile gin
• Gifting to a bartender or cocktail enthusiast who values functional design over marketing flash
• Side-by-side tastings comparing London dry gin styles and botanical philosophies
• Hosting a Martini night where gin quality is front and center

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ford's Gin taste like? Ford's leads with assertive juniper and coriander spice, followed by a bright citrus layer of grapefruit, lemon, and bitter orange, with a jasmine-tinged floral undertone. The texture is notably rich and oily for a London dry, with a long, juniper-and-grapefruit-rind finish.

How does Ford's Gin compare to Tanqueray London Dry? Both are juniper-forward London dry gins, but Ford's is bottled at a higher 45% ABV versus Tanqueray's 43.1% and uses nine botanicals compared to Tanqueray's traditionally cited four. Ford's also has a noticeably fuller, more viscous mouthfeel due to its 15-hour botanical steep, whereas Tanqueray tends to present a crisper, drier profile.

Is Ford's Gin good for cocktails? Ford's was explicitly designed by bartenders for cocktail use, with its 45% ABV and high botanical oil content chosen to maintain flavor and structure through dilution and mixing. It performs exceptionally well in stirred drinks like the Martini and shaken drinks like the Gimlet alike.

Where is Ford's Gin made? Ford's Gin is distilled at Thames Distillers in London, England, under the stewardship of master distiller Charles Maxwell. Thames Distillers is one of London's most respected contract distilleries, producing spirits for numerous well-known gin brands.

What foods pair well with Ford's Gin? Oysters and raw shellfish complement the gin's briny minerality and citrus brightness. Smoked salmon highlights the juniper and coriander. Grilled white fish with lemon mirrors the triple-citrus peel notes. Soft goat cheese pairs well with the jasmine and floral character. Grapefruit-dressed salads echo the dominant citrus finish.

What sizes does Ford's Gin come in? The standard bottle size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.

Is Ford's Gin worth the price? Ford's positions as a mid-premium London dry gin, sitting above well-tier options but below ultra-premium or limited-edition releases. Its five-star Spirit Journal rating, Chairman's Trophy wins at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge (2013 and 2019), and genuine bartender pedigree make it strong value within its tier.

Why Ford's Gin?

What separates Ford's from the crowded London dry field is the transparency and intentionality behind every production decision. The 15-hour botanical steep extracts significantly more essential oils than shorter maceration methods, yielding a texture rarely found in this style. The 45% ABV was not chosen by tradition or regulation but by systematic cocktail testing — it is the precise strength at which the botanical profile holds together through ice dilution in a Martini. Backed by a five-star Spirit Journal rating and multiple Chairman's Trophy wins at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Ford's has earned critical validation alongside its bartender credibility, making it one of the most purpose-built and well-regarded London dry gins available today.