Years ago, nestled above a 19th century drinking den on London’s world-famous Portobello Road, four long-time friends opened The Ginstitute, which became home to a diminutive 30l copper pot still, Copernicus the Second. It was here that, after discovering the lay of the distilling land and nine months of experimentation, Portobello Road Gin was born.

The gin is created from a blend of nine completely natural botanicals from around the world, including juniper berries and orris from Tuscany, Spanish lemon peels, bitter orange peels from Haiti or Morocco, nutmeg from Indonesia and cassia bark from South East Asia.

Best served simply with tonic and a twist of pink grapefruit.

• Gold Medal from the 2014 San Francisco Spirit Awards.
• Front palate: generous slug of juniper.
• Mid palate: sustained fresh citrus character developing into a sweet peppery finish.
• 42 ABV.
• 70cl.