Low ABV spirits are here to stay, and I am always pleased when a new one arrives. Quarter gave us a lighter gin with all the flavor you expect, and it has since made its mark (couldn’t help myself) with a new name, Quarter Proof.
What is Quarter Light Gin
Quarter Gin was the brainchild of two former school friends, Fabian Clark and Rohan Radhakrishnan. They had always worked in marketing and the drinks biz, and this was their first spirit of their very own. Working with Anthony Wilson, ex-Diageo Master Distiller, they set out “to create a lighter version of a traditional London Dry Gin, but with our own little twist.” Not an easy task, it took over 50 distillates to achieve perfection.
The name tells you the idea: a gin with 1/4 of the ABV and 1/4 of the impact. A quick update from me: the original bottling I tasted was 12% ABV and called Quarter Light G/N. In 2024 the team raised the strength to 15% ABV so it could be labeled a spirit, and the bottle is now Quarter Proof London Dry Spirit. Still a fraction of the alcohol in a typical 40% gin, and still all about that gin flavor.
How does Quarter Light Gin taste
All the traditional botanicals you would expect of a gin are used in the making of Quarter: juniper, of course, coriander, and angelica. The grapefruit peel and sweet orange then offer those sweet and tart zingy notes. It’s distilled in a copper pot just like a full ABV London Dry Gin, giving it a depth of flavor that might be missed if made any other way.
- Color: Clear
- Nose: Close your eyes and you would never know it’s not a full-strength gin
- Taste: Spicy and orange forward. A lighter version of what you would expect in any higher ABV gin
- Finish: Oranges, oranges, oranges
- Alcohol: 12% for the original bottling I tasted, 15% for Quarter Proof today
That orange sparkle is made for a G&T, so G&T lovers, come and get it. The brand also recommends Quarter Proof in a lighter Negroni, which sounds like a dream.
Where you can buy Quarter Light Gin
UK: Quarter Proof London Dry Spirit is now on shelves at Sainsbury’s and Ocado, and you can also find it at Amazon.co.uk.
USA: Good news! Quarter Proof made its US debut in 2024, so keep an eye out at select retailers.
Why Lush Life Loves It
Quarter lets me stay in the conversation, glass in hand, and still feel like myself the next day. It is bright, orange forward, and wonderfully gin-like on the nose, which is exactly what I want from a lighter pour. If a lighter pour is your thing, my 15 great spritz cocktails are right up your alley too.
Try making the Quarter Gin Soda
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