Gordon's DLD

I've tried all the high end gins, and when I'm in the mood for a gin and tonic, a tom collins (no grenadine in mine..... bastardized tom collins) or just a simple dry or dirty classic martini, I always pick up a bottle of Gordon's London Dry Gin. This is THE gin, literally. Up until about 20 or 30 years ago, when somebody said they wanted a martini, or gin and tonic, this was on the top shelf. This gin tastes like gin should taste. There's a reason why this is what is in the "original" martini. It is one of the first "mass produced" gins and has a very consistent flavor, bottle after bottle. Gin is simple and Gordon's seems to do it best. It is the real deal and, although most "gin snobs" will rate it poorly, it deserves it's fair shake. What other gin has been made under the same brand and recipe since 1769?

I normally buy Tanq, Henericks, Bombay or Blackwoods. Was bought this as a prezzie, and it is just revolting (having just switched from Blackwoods a glass ago). If you just want the alcohol then go ahead, but no real depth or complexity of taste. Other supporters on here must just be used to metholated spirits to rate it at all.

If you want a REAL Gin then try Gordons. Yes, it does carry a strong taste. That is what you should want in your G&T. As previously stated, higher shelf Gin's have taken the real "bite" out of thier spirits, Gordons keeps tradition alive.

Good gin for the price but definitely doesn't compare to Tanqueray or Bombay Saphire but it still is a good gin if you can't afford the better brands. The taste is a little rough straight but makes a decent gin and tonic. I will say that it tastes much better in the glass bottle than the plastic one.

To understand why this is the best gin you have to understand the history of gin. Its the everyman drink of England since the 16th century and Gordon's embodies this blue collar heritage of the drink. Gordon's has no pretense, its not overly refined. Its grain alcohol and a few honest flavors. Thats it. It mixes well with tonic and will get you a nice honest buzz which lets be real here is what we're all after if we're drinking. Also it wont break the bank.
I would pick Gordon's over Bombay Sapphire twice on Sunday. Bombay Sapphire tastes like cotton wool to me like they're apologizing for the fact you're drinking gin. That the bite and character of gin should be refined out. Bollocks!
Bombay Sapphire is for rich English crones to drink under an umbrella in India, look at the picture of the Queen on the front it tells you all you need to know about the drink. Its for women. Look at the bottle of Gordon's its got some wicked looking boar thing with its tongue sticking out. Now thats the gin you want my friend. The one with a boar monster on the front of it.

There's something charming about Gordon's -- its definitely a classic. And it had its heyday way back when. But today it doesn't hold up very well. Older gin drinkers will tell you that Gordon's quality has declined over the decades as it has sought to nestle itself midshelf in a plastic jug under a wave of better top shelf gins, and I believe it. It can't compete any longer with Bombay, Tanq, etc. But, hey, its cheap, and you know what you're getting. Strong juniper, gracelessly full bodied, alcoholy, but not bad in mixed drinks. Dependable, if nothing else. I highly suspect everyone keeps a jug of this in their freezer for less appreciated guests.

Probably the best cheap gin you can buy; very mellow and smooth enough for a good martini. To me it makes Beefeater taste like rotgut. Bombay Sapphire is my favorite, but at less that half the price in today's economy Gordon's is by no means a sacrifice. If only we could get the British version (stronger and in the signature glass bottle rather than plastic). Incredibly refined for the price; not a very complex taste but really pleasant and of such good quality that you never find yourself making "that face" that often much more expensive beverages can elicit. This was the first gin I ever tasted more than 40 years ago in college, and when I awoke after consuming far more than I should without a hangover and feeling great I realized that "this gin stuff is really different."

The best of the cheapo gins that I've tasted so far.

This is what is in my freezer right now, and though it's not my favorite, it is definitely not a bad choice (especially on my limited budget.) Of course, if you want the gin for taste, then you might as well spend a few dollars and get an upgrade. If you want it to get drunk, I'm sure Vladimir might make some low-end, $6/liter gin (I wouldn't know, I don't purchase cheap gin.)

Possibly the most underrated Gin. Due to it's low cost, it's your everyday gin. Much better than beefeater or tanqueray. Head and heels over anything in it's price class.

The best of the middle-of-the-road Gins. Just fine in a G and T and OK in a Martini if it's dirty enough.

A middle of the road Gin good enough for a gin and tonic or other mixed drink.

I'll drink this when I can't get Sapphire, Tanq or Plymouth. Gordon's obviously doesn't match any of these, but it is probably the best of the mediocre gins.