PENN is Core Distillery's London dry gin built around juniper, angelica root, coriander seed and herbs and flowers associated with the Apennines. Made in Rome at 42% ABV, it sets a dry, herbaceous character against a softer floral side. The label depicts Penn, a divinity of ancient Italic peoples linked to the Apennines. That reference provides a specific cultural setting, while the liquid remains firmly grounded in the familiar structure of a London dry gin. It is an Italian gin with a recognisable dry centre rather than a botanical novelty detached from its category.

The production method described by Core Distillery uses distillation with vapour infusion. Juniper supplies the recognisable pine and dry character; angelica lends a rooty counterweight, and coriander adds aromatic warmth. The Apennine herbs and flowers then widen the profile without turning it sweet. In the glass, the herbal character appears early and persists, while floral detail gives it a gentler edge. The finish is dry and aromatic, with the roots and herbs keeping the effect more grounded than perfumed. The ingredients are distinct enough to give PENN its own pace, but they do not compete for attention.

Core makes the gin in small batches at its urban distillery in Rome. The producer describes it as dry and herbaceous, yet soft and rich in floral nuances; those are more useful tasting bearings than any claim of extreme intensity. Its gold medal in the Contemporary Gin category at The Gin Guide Awards 2026 is an award to this gin, not to the range in general. The apparent contrast between a London dry label and a contemporary award category is simply a difference between production style and competition classification. On the palate, the notable point is how the dry base carries the herbs rather than losing definition to them.

PENN suits a Martini when its dry and herbal side should take the lead. For a longer drink, use a crisp Indian tonic, clear ice and a modest pour of 4 cl gin to roughly 10 cl tonic. A lemon twist and a short rosemary sprig in the glass underline freshness and the herbal direction; a little of each beside it keeps the presentation natural. Taste before adding more tonic: too much would flatten the floral nuance and the structured finish that make PENN interesting beyond its dry designation.