Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin

Everyone has heard of Beefeater, a gin recipe that has been unchanged since the late 1800's, but what about this new Beefeater 24 Gin? Well, it is in keeping with the quality of Beefeater yet it has a twist and that is the addition of grapefruit and two teas. These make for a modern sensation that is renovation on the classic gin style we love so dearly, but it is not too far out of the box to destroy the Beefeater experience. It is a rendition of a classic that has been modernized in a sultry, sophisticated way.

There have been many interpretations to the reason Beefeater 24 has taken on the numerical moniker. Yes, it is true that both Beefeater has always used a 24-hour steeping period, but it is the new flavors that build on that refined Beefeater experience. The grapefruit peel brings an enhanced citrus experience while the teas (Chinese green and Japanese sencha) add to the darker side, backing up the juniper.

This change in Beefeater 24's taste primarily comes from the tea influence. It was the founder of Beefeater, James Burrough, whose father was a tea merchant and this inspired current Master Distiller, Desmond Payne, to pursue teas in their gin. That history, coupled with the UK's fascination with tea that made the experiments and eventual success a winning hit. It is this similarity to Beefeater that allows Beefeater 24 to be a nice addition to the brand and stands up to any gin cocktail the other can handle. It is similar in expansion to the premium vodka lines. When they release a new flavor you know it's going to be built on a solid foundation and the taste quality is going to live up to standards.

The price of Beefeater 24 is not much above that of the original Beefeater and certainly not out of line with other modern premium gins. It is a nice upgrade but not one that I would switch to completely from a regularly stocked bottle of Beefeater. I can see the 24 becoming the switch hitter for every 2 or 3 bottles as a taste just different enough from the standard to be a welcomed treat every now and then.

Tasting Notes:
Beefeater 24 has a clean aroma that is delightfully complex with a bit of tannic citrus noticeable against the well-known taste of the base gin. The palate has more of the citrus but it is in a nice balance with the still juniper-foward taste. Its finish is characteristically dry and full of juniper and a touch of liquorice.

Beefeater 24 Gin Cocktails:

• Ruby Negroni
• Waterloo Sunset

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.