They were on the lookout for clean, crisp vodkas, with a smooth mouthfeel and well-integrated alcohol. Weeknight Sipsmith Distillery Tour and Tutored Tasting: Learn about the history of gin and how Sipsmith came to be. Learn how the Sipsmith are handcrafted and enjoy a tutored tasting too.

Gin & Tonic Tasting: Visit The New York Bar for three sensational tasting opportunities where you will sample carefully selected gins ranging from dry to citrus or spiced varieties, accompanied by a selection of complementary tonic water pairings. Alongside your gin and tonic tastings is a sharing platter showcasing four plates of your choice. Gin Lover’s Experience: Visit Skylon Bar for a true epicurean bar experience; a gin & tonic masterclass led by Skylon’s expert mixologist. The masterclass will begin with the tasting of three gins from their extensive collection, each paired with the appropriate tonic.Hayman’s Distillery Tours: Take this Distillery Tour for a behind the scenes look into how their award-winning family gin is made, distilled in the same way since 1863. The tour includes a welcome Hayman’s London Dry G&T and a fun and interactive talk through the gin botanicals with an opportunity to get a real feel for flavour and aromas. Plus a tutored tasting of three of award-winning gins with different mixers. Vodka can be made from almost anything. We’ve tested those made from potatoes, grains, grapes and even sugarcane. This is then fermented, before being distilled (often multiple times) to remove impurities — look out for this on the label. As well as gin tasting there are also so many distillery gin tour London experiences and gin tours London where you go almost on a pub crawl. Gin is a big thing in London! City of London Distillery and Bar – 22-24 Bride Lane, London EC4Y 8DT I’m not a stranger to the Polish restaurant Ognisko. I have spent many happy evenings there downing flavoured vodkas and eating their refined take on Polish cuisine. Our editor Fiona has been there as well but claims she doesn’t remember too much about it… This meticulous process is controlled with such accuracy that, after blending with crystal clear water, the spirit drawn from the still can be bottled without filtration. This allows D1 Potato Vodka to retain its incredible, velvet-soft mouthfeel and distinguished creamy taste.

Gin Tasting ExperiencesLondon Merchant House of Bow Lane – 13 Well Court, off Bow Lane, London EC4M 9DN

Bar Polski, Holborn

We had a series of starters: Barszez was a rich, sweet beetroot consommé with a hint of horseradish bite and served with cream on the side. It came with a mushroom pasztecik, a light glazed pastry stuffed with a luxurious mushroom filling. The complex notes of the Kavka Tokaji vodka brought out the flavours in the barszez beautifully. We start with a long fermentation before two distinct distillations. During the second of these, the vapours are elevated through a series of seven column stills to a height of 40 metres. As it ascends, our potato spirit passes over 2,000 purification plates, each raising the liquid a little bit closer to vodka perfection. Visit the Beefeater Distillery for an unforgettable 2 and a half hour experience. Start with the interactive exhibition, with a welcome drink in hand, that will provide an insight into the history of gin. You will then be taken into the very heart of the distillery, all the way up into the still house whilst providing you with an in depth description of the process of manufacturing gin. One of an extraordinary 17 bars at The Ned, The Library Bar is the place to go for a private atmosphere in stylish surroundings. Boasting one of the best curated vodka lists in London, the Library Bar’s vodka martinis are worth the trip in themselves. The bar’s Apricot Vesper is a delightful twist on the classic, and the trolley attendants are happy to expertly guide you through the menu.

Gin Tasting: Develop your appreciation of your chosen liquor at one of TT Liquor’s tastings. You will be hosted by one of the in-houseconnoisseurs who will guide you through the history of gin while you get to indulge yourself in a carefully curated selection of samples. Gin Blending Masterclass: In this masterclass, you will blend, bottle and name two of your own gins to take away, with the guidance of the Cattivo distiller, Todd. The class also includes five drinks as well as 400ml of your bespoke gin to take home. For something a little different, consider venturing out of London to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery Guided Tour in Hampshire. It’s a great alternative to the London options. Kopytka dumplings stuffed with a creamy filling of chestnuts and forest mushrooms (think gnocchi) came sauteed and were a perfect warming winter dish.Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour: The tour starts with an interactive exhibition taking you through everything gin and Beefeater gin. Your host will then take you up to the tasting area where they explain the key components that make Beefeater gin the World’s most awarded. You will get a guided tasting of four London Dry Gins before being shown to the Still House where every single drop of Beefeater gin is distilled. All finished with a perfectly made Beefeater G&T. Gin and Tonic Experience: Choose from three sensational menu tastings where you will have the opportunity to sample selected gins, from citrus to floral, accompanied by your choice of tonic water pairings and garnishes. There are a few other gin experiences that I found online that look fantastic if you’re looking for something a little different for a gin themed day or night in London: Gin Tasting London: The 58 Gin expert host will guide you through their unique distillation process, you’ll build rapport with the botanicals and get a real feel for flavour and aroma. Your host will lead you through the nuances and complexities of gin in a formal tasting in a hands-on, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Includes tasting of three gins.

It’s always crucial to have dumplings at Ognisko. Cheese, potato and onion pierogi were surprisingly light and delicious. The beauty of vodka – unlike whisky or wine – is that, really, you can throw away the rulebook when it comes to glassware. Hell, drink it out of the bottle, if you like (though expect some concerned glances from guests.)Sipsmith Sipper Club: Enjoy a welcome drink and learn the Sipsmith story before the host takes you through a tutored gin tasting session. You’ll then be treated to a three course Michelin starred meal La Trompette.