Defiance Premium Gin

Defiance Premium Gin is a London Dry Gin produced in England by Defiance Distillery. The gin is built around a combination of classic botanicals such as juniper, coriander seeds, angelica root, orris root, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and citrus peels, together with foraged ingredients including spruce tips, sweet cicely and tangerine root collected from different regions of the United Kingdom. The use of wild botanicals gives the gin a profile that draws on forest and moorland aromas as well as more traditional citrus and spice notes.

In production, the wild-foraged botanicals are steeped overnight in high strength alcohol at around 96 percent before the charge is brought to the boil. Other botanicals are placed in the vapour path so that their lighter aromatic compounds are extracted by vapour infusion rather than direct boiling. The individual components are distilled with attention to the cut points and then combined to create the final gin, which is bottled at 40 percent ABV.

On the nose, Defiance Premium Gin shows an earthy and resinous base with clear juniper and cardamom, followed by fresh citrus from orange and lemon peel. Spruce tips contribute a pine-like impression and sweet cicely adds an anise character that sits between herbal and gently sweet spice. Hints of myrrh link back to the earthy core and provide a subtle balsamic aspect.

The palate opens with citrus brightness and juniper before moving into a woodland register of spruce and myrrh. Cinnamon and nutmeg give a measured warmth rather than overt heat, while sweet cicely once again brings a restrained liquorice and anise note. The texture is smooth and medium bodied, supported by the mix of root botanicals and spice. The finish is dry and moderately long, with an earthy backbone that gradually yields to returning citrus and a final echo of anise.

Defiance Premium Gin is suitable for classic serves such as a gin and tonic with a simple citrus garnish, as well as for stirred cocktails where an earthier, forest influenced London Dry style is desired. The wider Defiance range has received international recognition, including the Best in Show Unaged White Spirit award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2020 for the related Navy Strength expression.