Langley's No.8 is the most English of gins (every possible aspect being English) & the first gin to specifically target the discerning & sophisticated male gin drinker & give him a gin that is truly tailored to his requirements, from the taste profile of the product to the brand packaging.
The quest was to produce a gin of classic, timeless quality, using traditional methods, to deliver that old English style gin, where the botanicals one would expect are really prominent, when mixed or drunk straight yet, perfectly balanced. This is how it evolved;
First the unique recipe was developed with Langley's Distillery & Burlington. The team/panel involved have gin credentials that are, arguably, second to none.
The number of, split & balance of the botanicals was the first key step. Followng several trials, eight secret botanicals were distilled, just once. Pot Still Connie (Constance, named after the Master Distillers late Mother) was used. This was the smallest possible still to use, to enable h&-crafting, small batch yet consistent quality production. Connie was produced in Engl&, in 1960, by John Dore & Co, the oldest pot still producers in the world.
The next step was to blend it with the best quality grain spirit. After several trials, a 100% English grain spirit was selected. Being the most neutral & pure available, this enabled the true flavour profiles of the botanicals to come through.
The final stage was to get the strength right. 50 different strengths (every ABV decimal point from 40%
- 45%) were tested. Twelve were selected by the team/panel to go through to final stage. Of the twelve put through, the eigth one tasted, 41.7%, was chosen, ensuring that the true taste of the gin came through, was not overpowered & the classic timeless expereience enjoyed when mixed with any tonic water.
As a result, Langley's No.8 was born.
Tasting Note:
A big, robust gin yet, with a smooth & lingering finish, complete the complex experience one gets from Langley's No.8. The initial big flavours of Juniper & Coriander are followed by a sweet & zesty zing of citrus with a finish that delivers a creamy mouth-fill & drying length. The smoothness of the finish enables one to savour Langley's No.8 over ice &, when mixed with tonic, the true flavours maintain a presence that marries perfectly with tonic water.