SPIRIT trends are forever changing with new drinks sweeping in each season. Mezcal and vodka are priming themselves for their spotlight in 2019 however, gin sales have been consistently booming in the past five years. Rather than being just another trend, gin has gained notoriety  for being a classic staple rather than a novelty. Innovative infusions, new botanicals and inventive distilleries contribute hugely to the gin’s success as there’s now a whole world of variety to choose from aside from conventional gins.
With floods of new names making their debut on the gin scene and new countries trying their at the boozy juniper juice, it can be hard to stay up-to-date. So whether you’re drinking a gin gimlet or simply treating yourself to a classic gin and tonic we’ve comprised the ultimate guide to help educate you to find the best premium gins to drink.
Warner Edward Honeybee Gin with the nature gift box
Best for: A sweet treat
£50 for 70cl
43% ABV
This gin is packed with 28 natural botanicals and carries an exciting experience on the palette. It’s named the Honeybee Gin as each bottle contains a portion of local honey and golden nectar from the beehives situated on the Warner Edwards farm. It’s rich yellow colour matches the warmth of the gin and its natural subtle sweetness means it can be enjoyed simply with soda and a garnish of lemon as its flavour rises through to the top. The Honeybee gin comes sealed in wax with a small packet of wildflower seeds which gin fans can plant their own botanicals with. For those looking to gift the gin, the Warner Edwards Gift of Nature Edition Box is ideal as it presents the bottle in a box which can later used as a bird house, eco-planter or even bee house.
Chapel Down’s Bacchus Gin bottle
Best for: Unique zesty twist
£35 for 70cl
41.2% ABV
Winemakers Chapel Down have delved into new territory with their launch of Bacchus Gin. It’s made using distilled grape skins from last year’s wine harvest which gives the gin a distinctive fruity sharpness. Not only is this a genius was of reusing great ingredients, it makes for a greatly unique distilling process. The gin is infused with juniper, coriander, elderflower, angelica, lavender and lastly orange peel and lemon – giving it that zesty edge. It’s a well known trait that winemakers are perfectionists so if Bacchus is anything to go by it’s one worth trying.
The stunning blue Silent Pool bottle
Best for: Drinking neat
£37 for 70cl
43% ABV
Silent Pool has taken the gin world by storm. Firstly, its beautiful blue bottle with intricate printed flower work is worth keeping with or without the gin inside. Secondly, it’s the perfect classic gin as it’s made using traditional sustainable methods making it utterly quintessential. Chamomile, lemon verbena, kaffir lime leaves and Sri Lankan sweet lemongrass are only a few of the 24 botanicals used, and for £37 you’re getting a premium product that’s worth keeping in the drinks cabinet. The gin’s aroma is deeply pleasant and almost has aromatherapy qualities with the citrusy scents spilling out of the bottle when it’s lid is opened. Silent Pool is a great gin served straight on ice as all the botanicals are enhanced allowing gin fans to appreciate its delicate layers.
D1 London Gin.
Best for: A taste of Britain
£35.99 for 70cl
40% ABV
When classic meets modern, you get D1 London Gin. Combining traditional and newer methods of distilling, D1 gives you that quintessentially British experience of gin drinking which spans centuries. D1 is a favourite here at Glass and is the perfect tipple for parties and special occasions. Having won two Master Medals at the 2014 Gin Masters awards, D1 stands high above many boasting elegant botanicals: juniper, angelica root, cassia bark, coriander, orange and lemon peels, liquorice, almond and nettle. D1 is a no brainer. It’s highly praised and fulfils the duty of a London Gin.Â
The Pinkster bottle.
Best for: Drinks with dinner
£35 for 70cl
37.5% ABV
Don’t be fooled by the pink appearance. Pinkster does not belong to the trendy new category of pink gin which sees added sugars and colouring to sweeten a regular gin. Pinkster is pink by mistake. When founder Stephen Marsh found he couldn’t drink beer or wine due to the yeast and sugar not agreeing with him, he set out to make a drink he could enjoy throughout dinner. After experimenting with different fruits Stephen found that raspberries worked the best and that’s how Pinkster’s colour was born. The raspberry infusion is subtle but present lingering on the tongue as a secondary flavour rather than overpowering the taste of gin. The gin is dry but effortlessly smooth to drink – unlike some dry gins. Pinkster is a great healthy alternative to beer and wine and makes for an incredibly easy accompaniment with a meal.
Langley’s Old Tom Gin.
Best for: A Hot Toddy
£25 for 70cl
40% ABV
Old Tom is very much a revival drink and belongs in the popular category of a craft drink. Old Tom was style of gin popular in the Victorian times and Langley’s Old Tom is based on a recipe created in 1891. It’s taste is much sweeter than a London Dry but still pleasantly subtle. This style has recently seen a revival which is perfect is you’re looking to try a new style of gin or have something special around Christmas time where it can be had as a winter warmer in a hot toddy cocktail. Nutmeg and fennel are two of the eight botanicals used in the gin giving it that perfect festive taste and it’s definitely something special to enjoy. Gin has been enjoyed for years and it’s great to see old recipes and distilling styles making a comeback.
The Copper House bottle
Best for: A premium gin and tonic
£26.99 for 70cl
40% ABV
Adnams is a big name in the beer world however the beer makers also happen to have a collection of fantastic gins with the Copper house being their best seller.  Having only built and opened its distillery in 2010, Copper House was the winner of the IWSC 2013 World’s Best Gin award and has been making a name for itself every since. Made with East Anglian malted barley, the gin is distilled in large hand made copper pot – hence its name Copper House.
With many gins using over 20 botanicals, it’s interesting to know that Copper House achieves its great taste with a mere six. This gin flourishes with a mixer and makes a fantastic ingredient for a classic gin and tonic with a wedge of lemon.
The classic looking Boodles gin bottle.
Best for: A classic g&t
£22 for 70cl
40% ABV
Boodles is named after a private gentleman’s club founded by Edward Boodle. Boodles’ 250 year old club saw Mr Churchill and Ian Fleming through its doors and the brand now proudly represents Britishness with its classic London dry gin. Its flavour is a medley of herbs and spices with a well-rounded finish. Coriander seed, nutmeg, sage, rosemary and cassia bark (chinese cinnamon) work together to create a rich flavour and the gin works brilliantly in a classic gin and tonic.
The Isle of Harris bottle in its natural habitat.
Isle of Harris Gin
Best for: Flavours of the sea
£37 for 70cl
45% ABV
This beautiful bottle holds Scotland’s number one gin (according to the Scottish Gin Society’s 2018 poll). Its beautiful botanicals and citrusy nose make it a divine indulgence and its flavour is almost bittersweet. The secret ingredient is hand-dived sugar kelp which is taken from the coast of the Outer Hebrides and present in every sip. The gin’s natural taste reflects its origins of the coast and flavours of the sea. If you’re looking to enhance your Isle of Harris gin experience, you’ll definitely want to try their sugar kelp aromatic water which comes separately in a small bottle. Using its pipette, you can add a few drops into the gin and experience Isle of Harris on another level.
The Cucumber Gin from The English Drinks Company.
The English Drinks Company Cucumber Gin
Best for: A gin gimlet
£35 for 70cl
40% ABV
Cucumber and gin is a classic combination. The refreshing coolness of the cucumber evens out the dryness of the gin making it incredibly moreish and drinkable, especially on a hot summer’s day. The English Drinks Company have a few staple gins however, the cucumber gin takes the medal for its utterly smooth finish. If you’re a big cucumber fan you can go all out and garnish it with cucumber, but otherwise mint or coriander go well with a neat glass of gin on ice.
The Flor De Sevilla bottle with cocktails
Best for: An aperitif
£25 for 70cl
41.3% ABV
Distilled with the finest Sevilla oranges, Tanqueray have created a playful mix which is great for fans of the classic Tanqueray who want to try something fun. The essences from the orange flesh and peel give the gin a fruity complexity that does the word bittersweet justice. Many infused gins lose their dryness but the Tanqueray Flor De Sevilla maintains its dry finish with the orange. The gorgeous orange coloured gin will bring alive any drinks cabinet that’s lacking some flavour. It’s a great spirit all year round spirit and will bring alive any gin and tonic that needs some sprucing up.
Indian Summer saffron infused gin.
Best for: A gin and ginger ale
£24 for 70cl
46% ABV
Indian Summer’s golden hue is slightly unusual for gin but is nothing to worry about. It comes from the infusion of saffron which gives the gin a refined honey-like definition making it perfect for interesting drinks. Indian Summer is a bold gin at 46% abv with very Eastern botanicals such as angelica bark, almonds, coriander seeds and orris root to name a few. With this higher than average alcohol percentage and bold flavours the gin needs a bold mixer to see its full potential. Indian Summer is served best over ice with ginger ale and a wedge of lemon and works very well as a party pleaser as it’s bursting with flavour.
Best for: A decadent display
£39.99 for 50cl
40% ABV
It’s not everyday you get to drink sparkly gin so the Unicorn Tears is one to pull out for a party trick to impress guests. The glitter is completely safe to drink and when the gin catches the light its iridescent colours glitter and shine. Although its price is higher than many of the other gins available in stores, the Unicorn Tears is a truly unforgettable drink and will brighten up any party. Citrusy flavours dance around this gin with the glitter which makes it great for cocktails or simply a gin and tonic.
The Porter’s Tropical Old Tom gin bottle.
Porter’s Tropical Old Tom Gin
Best for: Old school gin with a modern twist
£38 for 70cl
40% ABV
Old Tom has been enjoyed by gin fans for centuries but Porter’s have given it a tropical modern facelift with the addition of passion fruit, guava and white tea. Porter’s have cleverly used the traditional distilling method of using cold distilling which builds on the flavours instead of burning them off with heat. The result is a gentle and sweet aromatic gin which makes for easy drinking. Â
The classic Aviation gin bottle
Best for: Sipping slowly
£34 for 70cl
42% ABV
Aviation is owned by actor Ryan Reynolds who is a self-confessed superfan of the gin. The bottle is classy and traditional to match the style of packaging used during the pre-prohibition in America. Aviation is a classic American gin with a very soft and smooth flavour. It’s incredibly easy to drink neat and is encouraged to be had that way. Distilled in Portland, Oregon, the gin has given itself a good reputation internationally and is a delightful change if you are used to European styles of gin.
The Caorunn gin bottle.
Best for: A taste of Scotland’s finest
Scotland are famous for their Scotch whiskey but are quickly making a large dent in the gin scene. Caorunn is handcrafted in the Scottish Highlands and contains five hand-picked botanicals. The five-sided bottle and asterix logo symbolises the five botanicals used in the gin. Bog myrtle, coul blush apple, dandelion, heather and rowan berry are the key botanicals that give the gin its fruity foundation. The coul blush apple and rowan berry contribute largely to Caorunn’s crystal freshness and a garnish of apple finishes it off nicely.
The minimalist Manchester Gin bottle
Best for: A gateway gin
£36 for 50cl
42% ABV
The Signature Manchester Gin has won numerous awards and gold medals making it one of the UK’s most highest awarded gins. Like its bottle, the gin is slick and simple. The signature gin is one of the four gins from the collection and it stands as the strongest contestant with pure. Its classic juniper flavours are a warm welcome into the gin world. Once you’ve got a taste for the Signature, it’s worth moving onto the Wild Spirit which builds on core flavours from the Signature.
The hexagonal Roku gin bottle
Roku Gin
Best for: A Japanese G&T
£25 for 70cl
43% ABV
Roku is made by Suntory, a famous Japanese distillery which home to some of Japan’s finest Whiskeys. Known for creating premium spirits, Roku is no different as it’s a clean blend of fresh Japanese botanicals. Very much influenced by the flavours of East Asia, Roku has the refined flavours of Japan packed into one beautiful bottle. Cherry blossom, cherry leaf, green tea, refined green tea, sansho pepper and yuzu peel are the six botanicals which the gin are named after as Roku translates to six in Japanese. Its hexagonal bottle is minimal but quirky like it flavour. To make the perfect Japanese gin and tonic you should serve Roku with ice, premium tonic and six slices of ginger.
The limited edition Edinburgh Gin 1670
Best for: A gin beginner
£40 for 70cl
43% ABV
The 1670 is one of Edinburgh Gin’s limited edition gins which boasts plants picked from the Royal Botanical Garden of Edinburgh. The gin has herbal aromas and its flavour is lightly spiced from its earthy botanicals. The gin’s name is inspired by the 1670 Physic Garden in Edinburgh which was once used a source for natural medicinal remedies. Now its natural powers are being used as a remedy for the thirsty gin lovers. The Edinburgh 1670 is a great starter gin for someone who doesn’t know where to start with the drink.
by Katrina Mirpuri
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