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Leopold Bros American Small Batch Gin is one of the finest examples of American gin available anywhere in the UK — a handcrafted, small-batch spirit from a family-owned distillery in Denver, Colorado, that has been setting the standard for American gin since its first release in 2001. What sets Leopold Bros apart from both mass-produced American gins and their English counterparts is a combination of uniquely American botanicals — hand-zested Florida oranges and California pomelos alongside traditional juniper, coriander, cardamom, and orris root — and a meticulous fractional distillation process that gives each botanical its own voice in the final blend. The result is a softer, more refined, and more citrus-forward gin than most drinkers associate with the category, and genuinely one of the most interesting gins we stock at Fareham Wine Cellar. Buy Leopold Bros American Small Batch Gin online for UK delivery or visit us in-store at 55 High Street, Fareham.
Two things distinguish Leopold Bros from virtually every other gin on the market — American or otherwise.
First, the botanicals. Where most London Dry gins draw on a European botanical palette, Leopold Bros reaches for distinctly American ingredients: hand-zested Florida oranges and California pomelos bring a fresh, vibrant citrus character that is quite different from the dried orange peel used in most European gins. The result is a more fruit-forward, aromatic style that reflects the American landscape as clearly as a good Bourbon reflects Kentucky.
Second, and more unusually, Leopold Bros distils each botanical separately — a technique known as fractional distillation. Rather than combining all the botanicals in a single distillation run (the standard approach in gin production, which can allow stronger botanicals like juniper to overpower more delicate ones), each component is distilled individually and then blended precisely to create the finished gin. Every note — citrus, spice, floral, earthy — is present in the proportion that Master Distiller Todd Leopold intended, rather than the proportion that chance and chemistry allowed.
Leopold Bros was founded by brothers Todd and Scott Leopold, who came to distilling after successful careers in brewing and engineering respectively. Together they designed and built a distillery in Denver, Colorado, that operates as a model of environmental sustainability — one of the few distilleries anywhere outside Scotland to operate a full malting floor, milling, mashing, and fermenting all their own grains on site.
The distillery produces a wide range of spirits alongside the American Gin — vodka, whiskey, and an extensive collection of fruit and herbal liqueurs — but it is the gin that first established Leopold Bros as one of America’s most important craft distilleries. Every product is made using the same philosophy: the highest possible standard of fermentation and distillation craft, complete transparency about ingredients and process, and an unwavering commitment to doing things properly rather than efficiently.
The distinction between American gin and classic London Dry gin is not simply geographic — it reflects a genuinely different approach to the spirit. London Dry gin is defined by juniper dominance and a dry, botanical complexity built on European ingredients. American gins like Leopold Bros tend to be softer in structure, with a greater emphasis on citrus and floral botanicals, and a more approachable, fruit-forward character that appeals to drinkers who find traditional gins too angular or juniper-heavy. The fractional distillation technique used by Leopold Bros takes this distinction further still — producing a gin where balance and nuance take precedence over intensity.
For lovers of English gin, we also stock a carefully selected range of English gins at Fareham Wine Cellar, including expressions from The River Test Distillery in Hampshire and Winchester Distillery.
Leopold’s American Small Batch Gin offers a bright and refreshing profile. The nose is dominated by zesty citrus, particularly grapefruit and orange, with a subtle undercurrent of juniper. On the palate, the gin is smooth and balanced, with a vibrant citrus character complemented by a gentle juniper backbone. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving a lingering impression of citrus and spice.
What is American gin?
American gin is gin produced in the United States, typically characterised by a softer, more citrus-forward style than classic London Dry gin. While juniper remains a required botanical for all gins, American producers like Leopold Bros tend to emphasise fresh fruit botanicals — particularly citrus — alongside traditional spice botanicals, producing a more approachable and aromatic style. The category has grown significantly since the early 2000s, with Leopold Bros among its founding names.
What does Leopold Bros American Gin taste like?
Fresh, aromatic, and citrus-led — orange zest, pomelo, and grapefruit on the nose, with juniper, cardamom, and orris root adding complexity and structure. Softer and more rounded on the palate than a classic London Dry, with a long, clean, refreshing finish. Excellent with premium tonic, ice, and a strip of orange peel.
What is fractional distillation in gin?
Fractional distillation is the practice of distilling each botanical ingredient separately before blending the individual distillates to create the finished gin. This contrasts with the standard approach, in which all botanicals are combined in a single distillation run. Fractional distillation gives the distiller precise control over the contribution of each botanical, ensuring that delicate notes — citrus, floral, spice — are not overpowered by stronger ones like juniper. Leopold Bros is one of the few distilleries in the world to use this technique.
How should I serve Leopold Bros American Small Batch Gin?
Serve over ice with a premium tonic water and a twist of fresh orange peel — the citrus botanicals make orange a more natural garnish here than the traditional lemon or cucumber. Also excellent in a classic Martini (the softer character works particularly well with dry vermouth), or in a Tom Collins where the citrus and spice notes shine. The gin’s softness and balance also make it very enjoyable neat or over a single large ice cube for those who want to appreciate the botanical complexity without dilution.
Where can I buy American gin in Hampshire?
Leopold Bros American Small Batch Gin is available in-store at Fareham Wine Cellar, 55 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BG — one of the very few UK independent merchants to stock this expression. Also available online at farehamwinecellar.co.uk with UK-wide delivery. Call us on 01329 822733 for further information or to check current availability.
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