London Distillery Company releases inaugural craft gin

The London Distillery Company (LDC), which fired up its stills for the first time this spring, is releasing its first product – Dodd’s Gin.

The new distillery in Battersea, London is paying tribute to 18^th century entrepreneur and founder of The Intended London Distillery Company Ralph Dodd with its inaugural product.

Distilled using organic botanicals including juniper, angelica, lime peel, bay laurel, cardamom, red raspberry leaf and London honey, the craft gin is non-chill filtered and bottled at 49.9% abv.

The more delicate botanicals are distilled separately in a cold vacuum still named Little Albion before being married with the spirit distilled from the rest of the botanicals for several weeks prior to bottling.

Head distiller Andrew MacLeod Smith said: “Any distiller will tell you that it takes many months of research and development to create an innovative, premium organic spirit, and Dodd’s was no different.

“For example, we distilled several types of honey, from all areas of the UK, but found that the complex honey produced by urban bees in London gave the spirit a luxurious mouthfeel and added a delightful top note, which compliments the rest of the aromatics perfectly.”

LDC founder Darren Rook decided to name the company’s first gin after Dodd and his commitment to producing genuine British spirits, which were never quite fulfilled.

“We came across Ralph Dodd and his story whilst investigating former distilleries in London, almost a year to the day after founding The London Distillery Company.  Dodd’s ethos about creating Genuine British Spirits was akin to ours, so we felt it fitting that our first London produced brand was dedicated to him.”

Dodd’s Gin will be available exclusively at Fortnum & Mason for two weeks from 2 April, after which it will also be available from other specialist drinks retailers and online at www.londondistillery.com for an RRP of £36.95 for a 500ml bottle.