The best gins: 45 gin brands taste tested

published 20 June 2024

The industry experts have declared the gin craze is over. You known what? We don't care - as you will see from how extensively we have dived into the category for our best gin guide.

A gin and tonic is still one of our all-time classics and go-to simple cocktails.

However, when you dig deeper into what a G&T can be, you realise gin really isn't that simple at all.

Standard gins still have their own flavour notes, often of citrus, juniper or fennel, which make them more or less suited to a certain style of tonic. There's an alchemy to the pairing of a gin and its tonic.

And that's before we even get onto flavoured gins, which can bring much greater punch. A rhubarb gin is a Shortlist fave.

Just getting started in the world of gins? For the classic experience, start out with a London Dry. This means a gin has been flavoured with classic botanicals only, typically with a juniper-forward lean.

A non-London Dry gin isn't necessarily to be labelled full-on "flavoured", mind. Popular gin Hendricks is thought of a G&T classic, but isn't a London Dry, because cucumber and rose oils are added after distillation.

Does that mean you should turn your nose up at it? Absolutely not. We say get your nose in it and experience the wonderful diversity going on in the world of gin. There sure it plenty of it in our list of the 45 best gins below.

Make sure that you vote for your favourite tipple and if your gin of choice isn't in the list, let us know below and we'll try and get it in to sample so we can see how it compares to all of the others.

You can also head to our best supermarket gin list, where we've done hundreds of hours of taste testing. If you want pink gin or a gin that's sweeter, then let our best flavoured gin list be your guide.

Below we have a number of fantastic gins listed that have successfully made it through our taste test. If you want to learn a little more about gin, then we have everything from how to make the best gin and tonic, how to taste gin like a pro to a definition of all the different gin varieties below.

Enjoy!

The best gin

From the use of locally sourced Sugar Kelp, to the fact that every beautifully-designed bottle is hand-sealed, the Isle of Harris Distillery makes sure to put the Scottish Isle at the heart of their distilling process. The gin itself is infused with nine botanicals including a sweet citrus of orange peel, complemented by the fresh herbal flavour of crushed coriander and the base of Juniper. The Sugar Kelp adds a maritime note to this award-winning gin. Every bottle is shipped directly from the distillery in the Outer Hebrides.

This is the newest release on our best gin list and it's fantastic. Hendrick's has taken botanicals from around the Ayrshire coast (where its distillery is) to create a refreshing gin that's high on citrus notes. This one tastes great with a plain tonic - there are some great lemon and cucumber notes that come through strong, so we were happy not to add anything else to our G&T when taste testing.It's worth noting that this one is a limited edition, but as you can still get its Lunar edition from last year, we are including it on our best gin list, but will keep an eye on availability.

Sky Wave is a premium gin distilled in Oxfordshire. There are a number of different varieties available - from London Dry Gin, Old Tom and even some flavoured varieties. The key to all of them, though, is the ingredients - 13 botanicals are infused with natural mineral water from Blenheim Palace. The result is a well-balanced, smooth gin that has a sweet touch to it. There’s a big blast of juniper in each taste - we tested the Signature London Dry Gin - which ends with a long linger of sharp citrus. If you really want to up the ante, the distiller’s Navy Strength comes in at 57% and is a recent The Gin Guide Awards winner.

Silent Pool is packed with botanicals: 24 to be precise. These include the likes of lavender, chamomile, roses and linden. These floral notes are all mixed with some stunning citrus flavours to create a complex, smooth-tasting gin. In fact, it’s one of the smoothest we’ve tasted, as there is a lovely honey tinge in the end notes.Given the multitude of flavours on board, we paired with a simple Indian tonic and an orange slice to bring out the citrus notes even more.As for the bottle, it’s got pure shelf appeal and we are big fans of the glass stopper.

It's really refreshing when a coastal gin represents the sea in its taste and this is exactly what we have with Bullards Coastal Gin. There's a slight saltiness to the smell which is mixed nicely with woody juniper and fennel notes. All of this makes for a well rounded gin that works well with some dark fruits to cut through. The sample we received also came with a re-fill in eco-friendly packaging that can be sent back to the distiller for recycling which is a really nice touch.

We were really impressed with the taste of Cantium Gin. Distilled in Kent, the gin uses locally sourced botanicals. There's Lavender, Cobnuts, Apples, Blackberry and Hops and roasted Kentish Chestnuts all in there and it makes for a fresh, rounded taste that worked well with a cucumber-based tonic. The gin comes in a reusable flask (just give it a bit of a wash first) which is a nice touch, although it is a touch more expensive than some of the others on this list. We think you'll hear a lot more about Cantium in the near future.

It took us a while to get round to tasting Tobermory Gin as it came to us with an adult colouring book. Once we put the pencils down, though, this is a great-tasting gin from the Isle of Mull. The Hebridean gin is distilled with botanicals including juniper, tea, heather, elderflower, sweet orange peel and uses a splash of spirit from its whisky distillery. This makes for a G&T with something of a kick, packed with earthy notes. We had it with ginger ale, too, and that was a lovely pairing

We were lucky enough to visit the Brewdog Brewery last year and were surprised just how much effort it was putting into its spirits range. So much, we just had to get a bottle of their gin in to taste. In the end we got two: its dry gin and this cloudy lemon variant. If the sun ever comes out again, then this is the gin to go for. It's a creamy gin, rather than being acidic and goes really well with a plain tonic. The lemon blast is natural, not chemical, and we can't get enough.

Thomas Dakin has a taste that isn't for everyone - and it's all to do with one of the 11 botanicals they use for the gin. It's uses horseradish that gives the drink a savoury kick in its aftertaste. It's quite a full flavour but mix it with something citrusy like a bitter lemon tonic or some orange peel and you have a lovely flavoursome taste. Interestingly, this gin's origins are found in Warrington but it is branded Manchester on the bottle. Given Thomas Dakin is opening up a new distillery in Manchester, we can forgive them.

on World Gin Day. Since then we have been sent a bottle and it is deserving to be in this list. It's a Scottish gin that's Old Tom style (which is sweeter than a London dry variety), so it's less about the botanics and more about the orange, pink grapefruit and vanilla taste. It's a really refreshing gin that we had with tonic and lots of ice. It also has one of the nicest bottles we have seen, so if you are all about the shelf appeal, then this is the gin for you.

It was only right that No.3 made our list after winning the International Spirits Challenge ‘Best in Class’ gin trophy four times - along with another 20 awards since 2010. The main flavours in this ‘world class’ spirit are the classic gin botanicals of juniper, citrus and spice. That means that it’s crisp, 'zingy' taste is followed by the warmth of cardamom and a final dryness from angelica. Best served with tonic, a big wedge of grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary.

Made in Dorset's first gin distillery, Conker Gin is a multi award-winning spirit. Those at Conker Spirit do their best to source local produce so it is made from a blend of British wheat spirit and New Forest spring water. It is then infused with local botanicals including marsh samphire from the Dorset coastline, coriander seeds grown in Sussex and gorse flowers from Dorset. The final taste is juniper-led with a sweetness from elderberries and a citrus finish.

Yes, the worst kept secret in bargain food-shopping is also home to, officially, one of the world’s best gins. Formerly the Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin, and now Greyson's London Dry Gin, it won a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition and it’s hard to argue (especially with its price set at a lip-smacking £14.19) with its bone dry and straight-forward flavouring, this gin is unfussy and versatile with notes of juniper, lemon, and orange peel before fading to reveal hints of hot wax. Your booze cupboard deserves this bargain.

Best gin (2021): 25 great gin brands tried, tested and ranked

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How to taste gin like a pro

Take it neat: If you really want to get the flavours of the gin, then your first taste should be neat, without tonic or ice.

Find the right glass: As with most spirits, any glass that has a tulip shape works best. This is when the glass is fatter at the bottom and slimmer at the top. These glasses are said to offer the best way for the drink to be tasted - the bulbous bottom gives the gin a chance to swirl around.

If you do it in a standard shot glass, then you are mostly just getting the ethanol fume and that isn’t a good thing.

Have a coffee break: Coffee beans are a great palette cleanser. Take a bunch and break them up in your palm and give them a good sniff before and after a taste test. This will prime your buds for tasting gin and getting the most out of the notes. A simple sip of water will really help with making sure your tongue is ready, too.

Once that’s done, coat your palm with gin, leave it a few seconds so the alcohol disappears, cup and smell - this will offer up the aroma notes of the gin before you actually taste.

Swirl and sniff: this goes for any type of tasting - swirl the liquid (in a tulip glass) before you sip and give the notes a good sniff before tasting. When it’s in the mouth coat the whole of the moth and then swallow, breathing out as you do.

What to look for when buying gin

One of the simplest ways to make sure you are getting the right gin for your taste buds is to study the botanicals that have been used.

If you are looking for a floral gin, then find ingredients that are plant and flower based. If you prefer your gin with a bit more fruit, then look for any added fruit infusions.

What different gin varieties are there?

One of the simplest ways to make sure you are getting the right gin for your taste buds is to study the botanicals that have been used. If you are looking for a floral gin, then find ingredients that are plant and flower based. If you prefer your gin with a bit more fruit, then look for any added fruit infusions. In the broadest of strokes, though, here are the most famous varieties of gin:

What is London Dry gin?

If you want a real blast of juniper with your gin, then look for a London Dry variety. Interestingly - and confusingly - London Dry gin doesn’t have to be made in London, it is a production method that distillers have to abide by.

What is Plymouth Gin?

Up until 2015, this was gin made in Plymouth UK (hence the name). Now, there is only one distillery in Plymouth. Plymouth Original Strength is 41.2% and isn’t quite as dry as the London gin variant.

What is Old Tom gin?

This is a recipe that dates back to the 18th Century and is sweeter than London Dry and is famous for being used in the Tom Collins cocktail.

What is Navy Strength gin?

If a gin is 57% ABV then it is Navy Strength, the term given to gin that wouldn’t spoil gunpowder when it got in the explosive mix on the high seas. Due to the high ABV, this gin is better mixed and in cocktails.

What is small batch gin?

In 2009, the UK allowed small batch distilling to take place which is why gin exploded during 2010 and has been the same ever since. It essentially means gin that isn’t distilled in industrial quantities and, in turn, by big manufacturers. This means you can get some cracking gin from smaller distillers.

What is bathtub gin?

This is gin that was originally not made by professionals (so in the home) and because of this the quality varied. It’s now a brand owned by Ableforth which uses a different distillation process to normal gin - it’s definitely not made in a bathtub but a copper still.

How to make the perfect gin and tonic

Sam Carter, senior ambassador at the Bombay Sapphire Laverstoke Mill Distillery, tells us (and you) how to make the perfect gin and tonic.

“Preparation is key. You need to make sure you have everything to hand so when it comes to making the drink it’s easy and stress free.

Here’s what you need…

Large clean highball glass
Good quality ice cubes - this will chill the drink quicker resulting in less dilution and keeping it colder for longer.
Bottle of your gin of choice (I use Bombay Sapphire due to its fresh forest floor pine notes and spicy character).
The finest chilled organic tonic water (my favourite is made by FeverTree and using the 200ml bottles means it is always fresh)
Fresh green lime
Sharp knife
Chopping board
Bottle opener
Long spoon

Instructions

1. Start by rolling your lime on a chopping board with the palm of your hand for 10 strokes. What this does is massage the fruit to get the juices flowing. You’ll be able to get a higher yield of juice from each wedge so it’s good for your wallet.

2. Now you’re ready to cut your lime into wedges. Stop! To do this, don’t cut it in half from head to tail but through the circumference of the fruit then, whilst resting the flat area on the board, cut the two halves into four wedges (cut across the segments).

You should end up with eight perfectly formed wedges which are juicy and raring to add aroma and flavour. Oh, and, if you don’t happen to use up all your lime wedges in one go place them in a sealable container and pop in the freezer. This way they are ready to be used next time as lime flavoured ice cubes.

3. Next take one of your perfectly cut lime wedges and between thumb and forefinger, squeeze into the bottom of the highball glass then drop in the wedge.

4. Grab a bottle of Bombay Sapphire around the neck and if you’re lucky enough to have a barman’s pourer in your bottle then turn it upside down over the glass and count to five. This should give you a double measure (50ml). If you don’t have a pourer then you could use the cap. This measures 15ml - measure out 3 of these add one last splash for luck.

5. Next, fill the glass to the top with ice then stir for a few seconds with the long spoon.

Open your chilled bottle of FeverTree tonic water just before you need it so it’s lively then pour 100ml over the ice.

Let the bubbles settle then stir for a couple of revolutions to mix the drink and create a consistent flavour. If needed, add more ice cubes to bring the water line to around 1cm from the top of the glass (not more tonic) then add a second lime wedge (not squeezed) perfectly positioned on the top of your tipple to add aroma and visual appeal, but little extra flavour.

I’m not keen on ‘rimming the glass’ with the lime wedge juice as it has a tendency to overpower the drink and also makes the outside of the glass wet and sticky. Finally add a clear straw to the glass if you want it.

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As Content Director of Shortlist, Marc likes nothing more than to compile endless lists of an evening by candlelight. He started out life as a movie writer for numerous (now defunct) magazines and soon found himself online - editing a gaggle of gadget sites, including TechRadar, Digital Camera World and Tom's Guide UK. At Shortlist you'll find him mostly writing about movies and tech, so no change there then.