Campfire London Dry Gin was the first release from Puddingstone Distillery, founded by Ben and Kate Marston in the Chiltern Hills of Hertfordshire. Launched in 2016 after an extended period of development, it is distilled from British wheat spirit with ten botanicals: juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, orris root, fresh grapefruit peel, fresh orange peel, roasted hazelnut, golden berry, lavender and rooibos. Bottled at 42% ABV, it sits between classical London Dry structure and a more contemporary use of fruit, flowers, nuts and tea.

Piney juniper and fresh citrus shape the opening. Grapefruit brings a crisp, lightly bitter edge, while orange peel adds a sweeter aromatic roundness. Coriander reinforces the citrus with dry spice; angelica and orris give the palate its firm root structure. Golden berry introduces a tangy fruit note, lavender adds a restrained floral accent, and rooibos contributes a soft, tea-like dryness. Roasted hazelnut appears more clearly towards the finish, bringing warmth and a gentle nutty depth without making the gin taste sweet.

The name comes from the founders' enjoyment of gin and tonic outdoors around a campfire, not from smoke in the recipe. That distinction is important when tasting the gin: its warmth comes from roasted hazelnut, ripe fruit and the broader texture of the botanicals, while juniper and citrus remain at the centre. The result is complex but readable, with enough freshness for a gin and tonic and enough depth for a Martini or Negroni. Its 42% strength carries the quieter lavender and rooibos notes through dilution.

For the Perfect Serve, fill a chilled balloon glass with clear ice, pour a double measure of Campfire London Dry Gin and add 10 cl of Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water. Stir once, express a thin strip of sweet orange peel over the glass, then add it with a small rosemary sprig. This is the pairing recommended by Puddingstone Distillery: orange brightens the citrus character, while rosemary adds a measured herbal aroma. Keeping both garnishes restrained allows juniper, rooibos, golden berry and roasted hazelnut to remain clear through the finish.