Contemporary artist Hebru Brantley and spirits executive Peter Ibrahim founded The Old G, a Chicago-based, Black and minority-owned gin brand. Its London Dry Gin comes in a signature matte-black bottle at 42% ABV, or 84 proof, and is now sold in more than 750 retail locations across the United States, along with a 200 ml Pocket Old G format.

The production aims for smoothness. The gin is distilled nine times from organic botanicals, on a corn base that makes it gluten-free, then aerated for two days before bottling, a step that exposes the spirit to oxygen to soften its texture. Corn also gives a naturally soft, slightly sweet base spirit, which suits that smooth style. The botanicals are juniper, orange and lemon peel, coriander, cardamom, licorice root and orris root, a classic combination in which the roots give body and length while citrus and cardamom keep the profile fresh.

The brand describes the result as exceptionally smooth, with a clean finish and a bold, balanced character. Juniper stays at the centre, coriander brings a light peppery citrus note, cardamom adds cool spice and licorice rounds the palate without making it sweet, which suits a gin designed to be enjoyed neat as much as mixed.

Judges agree. The Old G earned Double Gold and 96 points in San Francisco's 2026 World Spirits Competition, after being named Best Gin in Show, with 98 points, at the 2025 Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards, and taking Gold at the 2024 Global Gin Masters. It can be served neat, on the rocks or in cocktails such as a gin and tonic, a Martini or a Negroni. Topped up with Indian tonic and finished with a long orange zest, it shows its citrus side best.