When new gins are launched these days, they often use obscure or local botanicals, or are made in new, small, independent distilleries, but today’s featured gin is different: Ford’s Gin is made using classic botanicals sourced from around the world and is made at the Timbermill Distillery (Thames Distillers) – producer of many a fine gin.
The gin is the brainchild of spirits industry veteran, Simon Ford, and is part of range of spirits from The 86 Co. that includes Aylesbury Duck Vodka, Cana Brava Rum and Tequila Cabeza.
The Taste
On its own
Nose: Classic, straight-forward juniper, coriander and citrus.
Taste: This is a clean spirit with a pleasant mouthfeel; it is a very classic style of gin, with a small leaning towards citrus. There is a good intensity of flavour and it ticks all of the boxes for the gin traditionalist.
Gin & Tonic
A fine standard of drink, but plays it safe: another one for the traditionalist. It is a touch cloying when mixed with Schweppes, so I would suggest using Fevertree.
Martini
A clean, crisp Martini, with lots of pine and citrus, followed by a zesty tingle and a clean finish.
Negroni
Ford’s Gin produces a solid Negroni: smooth and fruity, with a little sweetness and a herbal, bitter finish. Perfect flavour integration makes this really quite excellent.
In Conclusion
If you bemoan gin “losing its roots” and the rise of bubblegum and coconut gins, then Ford’s is for you: it has bold, classic flavours that are sure to please both hardened traditionalists and 19th century Imperial Officials.
Summer Fruit Cup 
I’ve been excited to try Ford’s Gin but I can’t help but feel I would be disappointed.
I got my hands on Portobello Road the other day, and it’s great – but it’s totally traditional. I am not exactly a supertaster so I am honestly having a hard time differentiating it from Tanqueray, Beefeater, et al.
Then again, it wasn’t expensive, so that’s okay. Ford’s Gin is a bit pricier than the mainstream London Drys, I’m not sure if it’s worth it.