DSM London Dry Gin 47%. London Dry Gin with a good three dozen botanicals, 47% ABV, based on a pharmacist's recipe – handcrafted in Berlin.

DSM London Dry Gin 47% is the Pharmacist's London Dry Gin No. 825 from the Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur in Berlin: juniper, coriander, lemon, lime, grapefruit, cardamom, several types of pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, mint, chamomile, lavender, and thyme – a good three dozen botanicals, balanced by Dr. Konrad Horn, 47% ABV, 350 ml in an apothecary bottle. No sugar, no coloring, no added flavoring.

The London Dry Gin 47% from DSM is a gin made in the classic way: all botanicals are distilled together with the alcohol, and nothing else is added to the bottle except water – as required by the London Dry designation. Friday evening, the tonic is chilled, and you want a gin where the juniper stays at the forefront but still has plenty going on behind it. The 825 is the distillate number used by DSM to organize their range; the gin sits between the grain spirits and the liqueurs.

Juniper at the front, citrus and pepper behind, lavender and thyme at the finish

The gin smells first of juniper, distinct and resinous, then of coriander, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. According to the manufacturer, this is joined by the sharpness of cardamom, paired with peppery nuances from several types of pepper, framed by herbal and spicy notes.

On the palate, DSM describes a potpourri: the juniper is played upon by the essential oils of the citrus fruits; cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg bring spice, with notes of mint and chamomile. The taste is intense and full-bodied, has a long finish, and finally reveals subtle lavender and thyme. Despite the richness, the manufacturer states that it remains a harmonious composition that drinks mildly at 47% ABV. Anyone expecting a light, floral summer gin will find this one robust and spicy.

Neat at room temperature, in a Gin & Tonic, in a Martini

The manufacturer's drinking recommendation is neat at room temperature or in a cocktail. Served neat in a small glass, it displays the entire range of botanicals, from juniper to the thyme in the finish.

For a Gin & Tonic, four centiliters are sufficient for a glass of dry tonic with plenty of ice; a grapefruit zest picks up the citrus notes, a sprig of thyme the finish. For a Martini, stir six centiliters of gin with one centiliter of dry vermouth over ice until chilled and serve with a lemon zest. As a spirit with 47% ABV, the gin is for ages 18 and up.

Our tip: Mix the Gin & Tonic with a tonic without much sweetness so that the cardamom and pepper come through – a neutral filler lets the botanicals work.

A pharmacist's recipe from the Berlin distillery

The gin comes from the Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur in Berlin-Marzahn, founded in 2017 by Tim Müller and the pharmacist Dr. Konrad Horn. According to his own account, Horn was already interested in the extraction of plant substances during his studies and developed the distillery's recipes – which is why the label says "Based on the original recipe by Dr. Horn".

For this gin, he balanced a good three dozen botanicals; distillation takes place in copper stills in a listed brick building, by hand and in small batches with the batch number on the label. Like all DSM distillates, the gin is produced without industrial flavorings, colorings, or sugar. Since December 2025, Bjarne Henning Hutmacher, founder of Schwarzer Walfisch Gin, has continued to run the distillery with the existing team and recipes.

For gin drinkers who want juniper and complexity to go with it

This gin is the bottle for anyone who wants to taste the juniper in a Gin & Tonic and is looking for something to discover when drinking it neat. It is suitable for an after-work Gin & Tonic, a Martini before dinner, and as a gift for gin collectors who like apothecary bottles.

Anyone who prefers citrus as a fruit spirit will find the Tarocco Blood Orange Spirit No. 125; the gin is also included as a small bottle in the DSM Tastingbox. You can find all bottles on our DSM page. It is not suitable for those looking for a mild, sweetish gin at 40% ABV – it is dry, spicy, and robust at 47% ABV.

A good three dozen botanicals, 47% ABV, based on the recipe by Dr. Horn – the London Dry Gin from the Deutsche Spirituosen Manufaktur for tonic, Martini, and a small glass served neat.