I thought that you may appreciate a Gin Geek slaving away over a hot MacBook and putting together this super duper review of my Top 10 Best Gins.
Due to an uplift in Gin popularity recently, there are such an enormous selection to choose from that it’s sometimes tricky to see the wood from the trees (or indeed the Gin from the Gin).
Let’s have a quick run through before we review each Gin individually.
Top 10 Best Gins
- Tanqueray No. Ten
- Monkey 47
- Caorunn
- Sipsmith London Dry
- Hendrick’s
- Beefeater 24
- Brooklyn Gin
- Portobello Road
- Brockmans
- Bloom London Dry
All of these are truly excellent Gins, and although I do kinda feel it’s unfair to declare an out-and-out winner, it’s a cut-throat world out there full of winners and losers, so my particular favourite is duly noted in the conclusion at the end of this post and it’s for your eyes only.
Let’s now check them out in more detail.
01. Tanqueray No. Ten
- Gin Geek Rating – 97/100
- Distiller – Diago Plc
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 41.1%
- Country – Scotland
The Bottle
Presented in a beautiful Art Deco style green bottle, with its red waxed seal being the official Tanqueray stamp. Must be one of the most distinctive Gin bottles out there. An excellent addition to your home drinks selection, or as a fabulous gift.
The Gin
This is such a versatile Gin, excellent with tonic water & a slice of grapefruit, also a great base for any Gin cocktail.
Known Botanicals
Made with fresh citrus fruits, plus chamomile flowers, and juniper, coriander, angelica, and licorice.
A bit of Trivia
Made in small batches, this Gin gets its name from the number 10 still where it is distilled.
Best Served
Tanqueray No.Ten with ice, tonic water, plus a slice of grapefruit.
Conclusion
A modern day classic
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Tanqueray 10 Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
02. Monkey 47
- Gin Geek Rating – 98/100
- Distiller – Black Forest Distillers
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 47%
- Country – Germany (Black Forest)
The Bottle
A rather scary looking ‘poison’ bottle complete with a cork that one cannot help feeling that when opened it will dispense smoke all over the bar. Coupled with the label that appears to be a large postage stamp of some forgotten Victorian-esque era, it certainly makes an impact.
The Gin
This is the Jaegermeister of the gin world, with a whopping 47 botanicals, you name it, its in there. Certainly a premium Gin using the freshest handpicked ingredients. So many flavors, you can truly get the taste of the Black Forrest.
Known Botanicals
Here we go…. Juniper, acacia, flag, pimento, almond, orange, pepper (4 types), blackberry, cardamom, cassia, cinnamon, , rose mallow, lemon verbena, cloves, coriander, cranberries, pomelo, cubeb, dog rose, elderflower, ginger, Grains of Paradise, spruce, hawthorn berries, sage, ambrette, honeysuckle, jasmine, kaffir lime, lavender, lemon, chamomile, lemon balm, lemongrass, licorice, bee balm, nutmeg, orris, rosehip, sloe, angelica root, acacia flowers, bramble, lingonberries.
A Bit of Trivia
Named not because it’s alcohol content (ABV) is 47%, but rather is in memory of Montgomery Collins and his monkey, Max, plus reference to the 47 botanicals this Gin contains.
Best Served
Monkey 47 with ice, and ginger ale (I don’t feel you need garnish due to the 47 botanicals!).
Conclusion
An eclectic mix with many layers that will certainly keep your taste buds entertained. Great for Gin Cocktails too.
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Monkey 47 Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
03. Caorunn
- Gin Geek Rating – 94/100
- Distiller – Balmenach Distillery
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 41.8%
- Country – Scotland
The Bottle
A distinctive clear bottle that emphasis its clean ingredients including natural Scottish Water.
The Gin
Clean, crisp, slightly sweet, with floral and citrus tones. Quadruple-distilled (why do it once when you can do it four times!), and is made in small batches. Using natural Scottish Water and 11 botanical ingredients.
Known Botanicals
Juniper Berries, Cassia Bark, Lemon Peel, Coriander Seed, Angelica Root, Orange Peel, Rowan Berry, Bog Myrtle, Heather, Coul Blush Apple, Dandelion Leaf.
A bit of Trivia
Pronounced ‘ka-roon’, this is the Gaelic word for Rowanberry
Best Served
Caorunn with ice, tonic water, & slices of red apple.
Conclusion
Clean and crisp. Sets the standard, making it a great go-to Gin.
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Caorunn Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
04. Sipsmith London Dry
- Gin Geek Rating – 95/100
- Distiller – Sipsmith Distillery
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 41.6%
- Country – England
The Bottle
A rather unassuming bottle, but don’t let that lull you into thinking this is anything less than a very high class Gin
The Gin
Still using traditional copper pot distillation, containing many exciting botanicals, ensuring a delightful crisp taste with a mix of juniper and citrus.
Known Botanicals
Lemon peel, Seville orange peel, juniper berries, Madagascan cinnamon bark, Belgian angelica root, Bulgarian coriander seed, Chinese Cassia Bark, Italian Orris Root, Spanish Ground Almond, Spanish liquorice root
A bit of Trivia
Prudence, Patience, and Constance are the names of the three still copper pot used for the distillation of this fine Gin
Best Served
Sipsmith London Dry Gin with ice, tonic water, plus a slice of lime.
Conclusion
A classic London Dry Gin, perfect with tonic water or as the base for a cocktail.
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Sipsmith Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
05. Hendrick’s
- Gin Geek Rating – 93/100
- Distiller – William Grant & Sons
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 41.4%
- Country – Scotland
The Bottle
Love this bottle, it’s along the same lines as Monkey 47. A very Gothic/Victorian style bottle that could just as easily be displayed on the shelf in Dr Frankenstein’s laboratory when he created ‘The Monster’.
The Gin
Hendrick’s distills in minuscule batches of only 500 litres for greater control of quality. The inclusion of cucumber certainly explains for the distinctive fresh taste.
Known Botanicals
Juniper, orange peel, yarrow, chamomile, coriander, and infused with Bulgarian rose petals and cucumber
A bit of Trivia
Hendrick’s Gin is actually a combination of two different spirits from two stills.
Best Served
Hendrick’s with ice, tonic water, plus a couple of slices of cucumber to garnish.
Conclusion
A crisp dry Gin with cucumber undertones. Don’t overdo the cucumber garnish as it can overpower.
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Hendrick’s Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
06. Beefeater 24
- Gin Geek Rating – 89/100
- Distiller – Beefeater Distillery
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 45%
- Country – England
The Bottle
Fabulous deep red bottle, really striking, highlighting its oriental roots. A design masterclass.
The Gin
With the inclusion of a number of traditional Japanese botanicals, may I be as cliche (well I am going to be cliche anyway) to say you get a real taste of the old colonial orient? It’s a sweeter dry Gin, and comes to life when garnished with a slice of grapefruit.
Known Botanicals
Juniper, Japanese Sencha, Chinese Green Tea, Grapefruit Peels, Lemon Peel, Almond, Seville Orange Peel, Coriander Seed, Orris Root, Liquorice Root, Angelica Root, Angelica Seed
A bit of Trivia
When in Japan, Beefeaters Master Distiller (Desmond Payne) would mix his Gin with chilled green tea rather than the local sweet tonics waters (as quinine was banned for tonics), and thus decided to incorporate it in to a Gin, Beefeater 24 was born.
Best Served
Beefeater 24 with ice, tonic water & a slice of grapefruit.
Conclusion
This is a very unique tasting Gin, one I would enjoy instead of a dessert wine.
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Beefeater 24 Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
07. Brooklyn Gin
- Gin Geek Rating – 92/100
- Price Range – Warwick Valley Winery
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 40%
- Country – United States (New York)
The Bottle
Really got the design spot on, with the Art Deco look reminding me of the style seen during the prohibition era.
The Gin
Not a surprise if I told you that this Gin is made in the good old US of A. Consisting of fresh (not frozen) citrus peels and hand cracked juniper. This Gin is produces in small batches, and is clean enough to drink straight up with ice.
Known Botanicals
Juniper, angelica root, lemon peel, lime peel, orange peel, lavender
A bit of Trivia
These guys peel the oranges for this Gin by hand (maybe they will get an orange peeler for their Birthday)
Best Served
Brooklyn Gin with ice, tonic water, sliced orange, lime, & some thyme.
Conclusion
A clean, citrus tasting Gin, with a hint of spice.
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Brooklyn Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
08. Portobello Road No. 171
- Gin Geek Rating – 94/100
- Distiller– ‘The Distillery’ London
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 42%
- Country – London, England
The Bottle
Not so much the bottle but oh wow, the label!, very striking and ‘Old London’
The Gin
It’s a ‘ye olde worlde’ London Dry Gin, with traditional botanicals and spices, allow it to time travel you back to old London Town (‘bring out yer dead’, ‘gor blimey guvna’ and other such phrases).
Known Botanicals
Juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, orris root, lemon Peel, orange peel, liquorice root, gassia bark, nutmeg
A bit of Trivia
Check out their website, you can even pay a visit to their ‘Ginstitute‘ to sample some Gins in Old London Town, in your guesses it, Portobello Road.
Best Served
Portobello Road No. 171 with ice, tonic water & a slice of grapefruit.
Conclusion
A great Gin which is a versatile base for endless cocktails, as its multi level taste shines through.
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Brooklyn Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
09. Brockmans
- Gin Geek Rating – 96/100
- Distiller – Brockmans Distillery
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 40%
- Country – Scotland
The Bottle
This dark black ridged bottle with the Brockmans logo, has a great feel to is and would not look out of place on the set of Harry Potter (if Harry were allowed to drink!, well… I think he is old enough now).
The Gin
Brockmans is an independent English Gin company who distill in a 100-year old traditional copper still. This Gin has a subtle sweet edge to it, citrus tones, and in my opinion its the berries that really stand out. An excellent summer Gin with Ginger Ale, I personally prefer this neat with Ice as it’s that smooth.
Known Botanicals
Juniper, Blackberries, Blueberries, Coriander, Angelica Root, Orris Root, Cassia Bark, Liquorice, Orange peel, Lemon peel, Almond
A bit of Trivia
In the words of the creators of this Gin, “The aim was to create a gin so smooth and sensual, you would want to drink it neat over ice”. Mission accomplished I say, as I am a bit sissy when it comes to neat spirits, but this is oh so good.
Best Served
Brockmans with Ice, tonic water (or Ginger Ale in the summer), pink grapefruit peel and a few blueberries
Conclusion
A fabulous summer Gin that is so smooth you can even drink it neat with ice (and not cough up a lung in the process).
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Brockmans Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
10. Bloom London Dry
- Gin Geek Rating – 91/100
- Distiller – G & J Distillers
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV) – 40%
- Country – England
The Bottle
Classic understated bottle and label design, although nothing to write home about. Could do with a makeover to add a bit of character. The Gin however is another matter.
The Gin
Delightful citrus tones with a floral hint from the honeysuckle and chamomile. What I love about this Gin is it demonstrates that we don’t need a bucketful of botanicals to produce a fabulous Gin, well done Joanne Moore (Master Distiller).
Know Botanicals
honeysuckle, chamomile and pomelo
A bit of Trivia
Created by Joanne Moore, one of the world’s first female Gin Master Distillers. Go Girl!, show them guys a thing or two!
Best Served
Try Bloom London Dry Gin with ice, tonic water & strawberries.
Conclusion
Another fabulous summer Gin that would also make a perfect dessert Gin.
Check Price/Buy Online
You can also check pricing, customer reviews and buy Bloom Gin online using one of the below links.
UK readers can view this Gin here at Amazon.co.uk
The Winner
So there you have it, my Top 10 Best Gins. The great thing about Gin is there is such a great choice and we will all have different ones we gravitate towards. OK, I have kept you in suspense for too long now and can imagine you are about to explode, although you must promise to not tell a soul, so….. at present…….
(long pause for effect like on one of those reality shows)
My absolute favourite of the bunch is Monkey 47, now the cat/monkey is now officially out of the bag.
Where to Buy these Gins Online
Call me lazy but I would buy almost anything online if it saves me venturing outside to fight the hoards of shoppers and crazies. Buying Gin is no exception, and you can do it from the comfort of your home.
Life tips from The Drinks Geek
If anyone say’s to you that you are drinking too much Gin, please explain to them that you are not ‘drinking’, merely ‘tasting’ but have a very sensitive swallow reflex.
You will not get these kinds of tips anywhere else you know, at least I hope not!
