Drebbel Gin

Drebbel Gin is a London Dry Gin made in the Netherlands and named after Cornelis Drebbel, the Dutch inventor who built the world’s first navigable submarine.

Bottle of Drebbel London Dry Gin — Drebbel London Dry Gin

Drebbel Gin is a London Dry style of gin which is made in The Netherlands. The Dutch are known, of course, for their own spirit, genever or jenever, which was taken to England where it was adapted into what we now know as gin. It’s therefore appropriate that this Drebbel Gin is named after a Dutch inventor who also went to England, where he produced his most famous invention.

Who Was Cornelis Drebbel?

Cornelis Drebbel (1572-1633) was a Dutch engineer and inventor. He came up with numerous things, including a glass-grinding machine that allowed for the creation of optical instruments. He invented early barometers and thermometers, and a harpsichord that was powered by solar energy.

One of his most famous inventions was the building of the first navigable submarine in 1620, when he was living in England and working for the Royal Navy. Over the years he developed the idea, and his third submarine was capable of staying underwater for three hours and transported people underwater between Westminster and Greenwich. Sadly, despite all his brilliance, he died in England in near poverty.

Drebbel Gin

The Dutch have a long distilling tradition, and not just for genever. Bols claims to be the oldest distillery brand in the world, making a range of spirits and liqueurs, while Drebbel is a young upstart that came into being in 2019.

Drebbel Gin Botanicals

Drebbel Gin’s botanicals are juniper, angelica root from France, orris, coriander seeds, vanilla sticks from Madagascar, liquorice from China, lemon peel from Murcia in Spain, and finally ginger from India. It’s truly an international gin, made in the Netherlands in the London dry style.

Tasting Drebbel Gin

The bottle is nothing out of the ordinary but is pleasingly chunky to hold and has a little drawing of Drebbel’s submarine on the label.

On the nose what struck me was the absolute freshness of this gin. Sure, there’s juniper, but the lemon peel is very evident, with a bit of sweet vanilla, and a dash of spicy ginger. It’s a very light and refreshing combination.

The same goes for the taste. Gins that are too juniper-heavy are hard for me to sip neat. I used to hate gin and tonics till I tried one with a Fever Tree tonic and realised it was the tonic I’d disliked, not the gin. But Drebbel Gin is one you can sip neat, although that’s not my preferred way of drinking gin, as it is for dark spirits. The lemon freshness and vanilla sweetness is there, offsetting the tartness of the juniper, while the ginger, coriander and liquorice add other flavours to the delightful mix.

The finish is also very smooth and fresh. All in all this is a really enjoyable gin.