From Tanqueray dry gin to Bombay Sapphire to Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation, if you’re making a gin and tonic, how do you know what’s the best gin brand to reach for? That’s where we come in.
We chatted with Marissa Johnson, founder of Inflatable Blast, who is a bartender turned bar owner turned professional event planner to help us rank and review the best gin brands. Because, as anyone knows, to throw a great party, you need alcohol. Or some very good mocktails.
We also found some you might not want to pour into your martini. And, for those, we took to Reddit. Where else would we have found vengeful keyboard warriors if not in the depths of an online forum?
Did we miss your favorite? Well, send us a bottle and we’ll add the tonic. Or you could just suggest one below, whatever floats your boat.
Disclaimer: gin is incredibly versatile so what might suit the expert may not suit you and vice versa. We advise you to take this list with an olive and your favorite spirit.
What is Gin?
Gin is a neutral spirit made from natural products like potatoes and wheat that is flavored with various botanicals and barley. These flavorings are incredibly important because, without them, gin is basically just vodka.
For gin to be considered well, gin, it must have:
- Juniper berries, this is what give gin its signature pine flavor.
- A strong scent or taste of citrus.
- It may have notes of spices like cardamom, peppercorns, or coriander.
- An ABV (alcohol-by-volume) of at least 37.5%.
Gin Brands Ranked Worst to Best
18. Aviation American Gin
Deadpool, aka Ryan Reynolds co-owns this gin brand. And, even though we do have a bottle of it in our cabinet, Reddit feels otherwise. One reviewer notes that “it’s like sucking on a cardamom pod that was left in a mop bucket.” Yikes.
Available at Target
17. New Amsterdam Stratusphere Gin
Despite making a good name for themselves, New Amsterdam lucked out with the modern-day spirit sippers. A Redditor says that “it tasted as a creamsicle dipped in rubbing alcohol.” Another said that it’s perfect for removing grease. Hey, it’s good for something!
Available at Target
16. Green Hat Gin
If you like green juice, Green Hat Gin is the boozy version. According to one Reddit user, it’s just “celery, celery, celery.” Now we know what to sip on before yoga class.
Available at Drizly
15. Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin
To make their gin, the company handpicks 47 plants and prepares them with Black Forest’s soft water. And Johnson says Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin “has a light juniper and citrus taste complemented with a hint of sweet-tart forest berries.”
14. Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin
Inspired by the “Golden City” in Rajasthan, Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin is nothing less than actual gold. (Not literally.) Colored with a rich history of herbs and spiced with India’s best botanicals, this gin is basically herbal tea rediscovered.
Available at Drizly
13. No.3 London Dry Gin
With 20 awards on the shelf, No.3 London Dry Gin is already easily one of the best gin brands. One Drizly reviewer says, “I’m not a big gin drinker but this one I can put away all night.” Might we interest you in a glass of water?
Available at Drizly
12. Oxley Cold Distilled London Dry Gin
Among the first to bring “cold distilled” spirits into the market, Oxley Gin made its mark on the world with this sweet and fresh gin. One reviewer said it had “No bizarre flavors, no overly herbal aftertaste, it makes a simply wonderful martini, a smooth Gimlet, and an elegant Gin and Tonic.” Ok, but can it do all of that in our tiny kitchen?
Available at Drizly
11. Mirabeau Rosé Gin
Mirabeau Rose Gin will make your life go round. Literally. It has a grape-forward flavor, a crisp aroma, and a slightly bitter aftertaste of citrus. And, the makers added rose petals, lavender, and jasmine to the blend, making it a perfect Valentine’s Day or wedding gift.
Available at Drizly
10. Ford’s Gin
Ford’s Gin is a time-honored classic. Every sip is flavored with around nine botanicals and steeped for 15 hours before it is distilled in a steel pot. This wasn’t an overnight task, the owner tried 83 recipes and then collaborated with an 11th-generation master distiller to fine-tune it.
The spirit was designed by bartenders, for bartenders, to complement every cocktail in their arsenal. Johnson notes that it is “sophisticated, balanced, and smooth with a juniper-forward flavor.”
Available at Drizly
9. The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
The only dry gin on this list made in Scotland, Botanist Islay Dry Gin comes out at the top with its “sweet fruits and fresh spices” flavor thanks to its 22 unique, hand-foraged botanicals.
Available at Target
8. Martin Miller’s Gin
A world classic, Martin Miller’s Gin is known for its ‘super premium’ quality and refined flavors. The full bodied-taste and pleasing finish make it smooth and very drinkable.
Available at Drizly
7. Beefeater London Dry Gin
Beefeater London Dry Gin has been a cult classic for ages and is the benchmark for London dry-style gins. The spirit is strong and spicy and pairs well with nearly every mixer.
Available at Target
6. Bloom London Dry Gin
An earthy taste. A peppery nose. A zesty mouthfeel. Bloom London Dry Gin is a perfect juniper-flavored spirit. Add it to your favorite tonic or let it be front-and-center in a gin martini.
Available at Drizly
5. Whitley Neill Gin
Whitley Neill Gin is a premium handcrafted spirit that, according to Johnson, has notes of “smooth, sweet and fruity with a hint of juniper.” The brand also won a silver at the International Wine & Spirits Competition two years in a row.
Available at Drizly
4. Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale Distilled Gin
Everyone knows Tanqueray, but this berry-forward variation is an interesting twist on an old classic. Johnson says, I would describe it as a delicately balanced, sweet, and sour [gin]. The blackberry flavor adds a subtle sweetness that complements the traditional juniper-forward flavor profile of Tanqueray… For those who may not be fans of the traditional gin flavor profile, the blackberry royale offers a gentler introduction to the world of gin.”
She continues, “The sweetness from the blackberries opens up a whole new range of mixology opportunities, allowing for a wider range of cocktail combinations. For example, I have used it in a blackberry gin fizz, a blackberry gin and tonic, and even in a blackberry gin martini.”
Available at The Whiskey Exchange
3. Hendrick’s Gin
Although gin is technically juniper juice, modern spirits mostly infuse the neutral liquor with other herbs and Hendrick’s Gin is a prime example of that. They’ve also just made what they call, a “super gin.” Making it disappear from our glass is our superpower.
When it comes to flavor, Johnson says, “Hendrick’s gin is a true original, with its blend of 11 botanicals including Bulgarian rose and cucumber, creating a delicate and refreshing taste and a crisp, clean finish that’s unmatched in the gin world.”
2. Plymouth Gin
Plymouth Gin, a Navy-strength gin, is less dry, and more earthy but with a softer juniper flavor. According to Johnson, “Plymouth gin has a strong juniper presence that is balanced by a blend of citrus and spices. Its smooth finish makes it the perfect choice for martinis and other classic cocktails.”
The spirit has been distilled on the same ground in Plymouth, Devon since the 18th century at the Black Friars Distillery. If only we had a map we could tell you where that was.
Available at Target
1. Bombay Sapphire Gin
Bombay Sapphire Gin‘s delicate floral flavors, “smooth and silky mouthfeel and long and satisfying finish,” make it the best gin on our list. Johnson says, “Bombay Sapphire is a bold and vibrant gin that sets itself apart with its unique blend of 10 botanicals from around the world and its distinctive vapor infusion process.” It’s perfect for sipping straight or adding to your favorite gin cocktail.
Johnson recommends it for cocktails that “require a bold and assertive spirit, like a Negroni or a martini.
Available at Target
Safwan has written for blogs like American Songwriter, TV Over Mind, Diamond Lobby, and Punch Debt in the Face. If you can't find him writing killer sales copies, it's probably because he's out writing another love song or playing another acoustic gig.
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