The 14 Best Gins to Drink in 2021
- Best Overall: Sipsmith London Dry.
- Best Budget: Hayman's London Dry.
- Best Top Shelf: Hendrick's.
- Best London Dry: Beefeater London Dry.
- Best for Gin and Tonics: Bombay Sapphire.
- Best for Martinis: Tanqueray London Dry.
- Best for Negronis: Monkey 47.
- Best Botanical: The Botanist.
Highly Recommended. I also find that for a 44% ABV gin, Hendrick's Gin works surprisingly well in a Negroni. The bitterness of the Campari amplifies the bitterness that the gin seems to bring on its own, while juniper rises to the fore. It's creamy, rich, and almost platonic to me.
The 19 Best Bottles Of Gin You Can Buy At Any Price Point
- Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin. reservebar.com.
- The Botanist Islay Dry Gin. drizly.com.
- Hendrick's Gin. drizly.com.
- Junipero Gin. reservebar.com.
- INDOGGO GIN By Snoop Dogg. Indoggo™ reservebar.com.
- Beefeater London Dry Gin. drizly.com.
- Roku Japanese Gin.
- Bombay Sapphire® Gin.
Caorunn Perfect Serve G&T
- Caorunn Apple Three Ways.
- Caorunn Picnic Sangria.
- Caorunn Apple Smash.
- Blush Apple Martini.
MERMAID GIN AT 42% ABV HAS BEEN HAND-CRAFTED ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT SINCE 2014 USING TEN ETHICALLY SOURCED BOTANICALS. Mermaid Gin is a smooth yet complex blend of fresh organic lemon zest, the peppery notes in grains of paradise and a hint of sea air from fragrant rock samphire. Refreshing and invigorating.
Tasting Notes
Cool mint and juniper, slightly pine-forward juniper at first. Citrus, primarily lemon zest on the early mid-palate before sweet spices and flower come through.Bathtub Gin has a slight golden/umber tinge to it, something close to the color of cedar planks. The nose is heavy with juniper, cinnamon and cardamom; orange oil adds a touch if citrusy depth. Overall, the nose is quite heavy.
Global gin market: leading brands based on sales volume 2020In 2020, Ginebra San Miguel was by far the leading brand of gin worldwide, selling over 31 million 9 liter cases. Ranking second, Gordon's sold just under seven million cases of the distilled alcoholic drink.
- Best Overall: Sipsmith London Dry.
- Best Budget: Hayman's London Dry.
- Best Top Shelf: Hendrick's.
- Best London Dry: Beefeater London Dry.
- Best for Gin and Tonics: Bombay Sapphire.
- Best for Martinis: Tanqueray London Dry.
- Best for Negronis: Monkey 47.
- Best Botanical: The Botanist.
Bombay Sapphire is a brand of gin that was first launched in 1986 by English wine-merchant IDV. Its name originates from the popularity of gin in India during the British Raj and "Sapphire" refers to the violet-blue Star of Bombay which was mined from Sri Lanka and is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution.
02 Scottish gin accounts for 70% of the UK's overall gin production. It's true, we really like making gin in Scotland. In fact, alongside small-batch craft gins, three of the world's best-selling gins: Hendrick's, Gordon's and Tanqueray, are all made here.
Peppery and slightly bitter citrus finish which isn't long but is quite satisfying. Very unique gin that has maritime flair. Highly recommend it be tried neat but also very tasty with Indian tonic and a slice of orange as garnish."
- Rock Rose, Thurso, Scotland, £32/70cl.
- Darnley's Spiced Gin, St Andrews, Scotland, £35/70cl.
- Hendrick's Gin, South Ayrshire, Scotland, £28.29/70cl.
- Caorunn Gin, Cairngorm National Park, Scotland, £29/70cl.
- Porter's Gin, Aberdeen, Scotland, £35/70cl.
To taste, Edinburgh Gin is a triumph! At 43% ABV, it's certainly not the strongest London Dry you'll find in today's market, but on nosing the gin it's surprising the intensity of the aromas.
Wester RumWester White Rum is fully fermented and distilled from sugar cane molasses at Wester Distillery. It is unaged and one of the strongest rums coming from Scotland at 48% ABV. Their Spiced Rum, 40% ABV, is pot distilled and infused with all-natural spices. Expect rich, earthy flavours with plenty of citrus.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish gin, made with Asian botanicals and gunpowder tea, is the most popular brand in Ireland. P.J. Rigney, of The Shed distillery that produces Drumshanbo, attributes the gin boom to the craft cocktail revival.
It is estimated that some 70-80% of UK produced gin comes from Scotland.
Britain is the beating heart of the global gin industry, with three quarters of all exported gin coming from this island, and with Scotland accounting for two thirds of UK gin production.
Gordon's London Dry Gin was developed by Alexander Gordon, a Londoner of Scots descent. He opened a distillery in the Southwark area in 1769, later moving in 1786 to Clerkenwell. The Special London Dry Gin he developed proved successful, and its recipe remains unchanged to this day.
Distilled in Scotland by Diageo Cameronbridge Distillery.Created by Charles Tanqueray in 1830, Tanqueray London Dry Gin is made today according to the same classic, timeless recipe.
Achroous GinDistilled in Leith, the Edinburgh port has a long history with gin. Achroous uses botanicals such as liquorice, fennel seed and Sichuan.
Valt VodkaIn a bid to create a uniquely Scottish vodka, Strathleven Distillers use only Scottish malted barley and Scottish mountain water to produce this flavourful malted barley vodka.
The neutral spirit needed to produce gin is essentially made in the same way as whisky, but distilled to a higher abv. The mostly flavourless spirit is then infused or redistilled with any number of botanicals, including juniper, to make gin.
