When it comes to spirits everyone knows that gin is a superior drink, which is why we published The SquareMeal Guide to Gin earlier this year. It contains tons of info about everyone’s favourite juniper tipple, from notes on botanicals and styles to gin experiences, so for a more in-depth read make sure to give it a once-over.
We digress, we got to thinking that despite it being famed as a summer speciality, we quite enjoy a gin or three all year round, and when you consider all the cocktails you can make with it, you should really make sure you have a bottle handy wh atever the weather. Let’s face it, gin is for all seasons and, thanks to the explosion of small distilleries in recent years, there’s plenty of choice to be had.
We’ve rounded up a short list of what we consider to be some of the best gin brands around for you to check out, if you haven’t already. Of course there are loads more superb gins on the market than just these ones, but it’s a great place to be-gin…
Silent Pool Gin
What: With a name as alluring as ‘Silent Pool’, we barely feel the need to expound on the notes found in this deep, full-bodied gin – but indulge us. Handcrafted in the Surrey Hills using 24 botanicals and cool, clear spring-water, Silent Pool is full of flavour, from citrus to lavender, chamomile and sweet honey. Enjoy in a classic G&T, but swap out the lemon for a twist of orange peel.
Where: 31Dover.com
How much: From £32.20 for 70cl
Tinkture
What: Pink, organic, vegan and beautifully-packaged, this Cornish gin needs no help from us, but we love it so we’re going to gush about it anyway. The act of pouring this delicate amber liquid from its brown, narrow-mouthed glass vessel is almost as satisfying as tasting it, thanks to Tinkture’s cleverly-designed glug-free bottles.
Then there’s the taste. Delicate notes of juniper and coriander come together to create a warmth that’s light enough to stand on its own, but deep enough to slice through tonic (which turns it a pale shade of pink). And, once you’ve bought one bottle, you can top it up with the refill packs, which reduces waste, replenishes your gin levels and saves money – bonus!
Image credit: John Hersey
Where to buy it: Tinkture
Price: £45 for a 50cl bottle; £35 for a refill pouch
Sipsmith
What: Sipsmith has become a bit of a household name of late, but as each batch is still lovingly hand-crafted by the brand’s dedicated distillers, we don’t care that everyone seems to be drinking it. This original London Dry Gin is bold, aromatic and versatile, so whether you’re mixing a Martini or a classic G&T, you’ll find it slips down rather easily.
If you prefer your gin flavoured, you should definitely check out Sipsmith’s range. Zingy citrus flavours come in the form of Lemon Drizzle, which is made with sun-dried lemon peels and lemon verbena, and Orange & Cacao, which is ideal for Christmas.
Where to buy it: MasterofMalt.com
Price: From £28 for 70cl
Brockmans
What: Founded by four friends, this independent English gin distillery’s aim was simple: to create a gin so smooth and sensual, you’d want to drink it neat over ice. It’s worth trying at least once, even if you’re not normally a fan of neat gin, as you should be able to detect the natural oils and aromas that come from the Bulgarian coriander, Valencian orange and Tuscan juniper berries.
Packaged in a dark bottle, possibly to reflect the top notes of ginger and orange (or just because it’s temptingly moody), it’s a gin all enthusiasts should sample as soon as possible.
Where to buy it: 31Dover.com
Price: From £26.70 for a 70cl bottle
Martin Miller’s
What: Martin Miller was both a traditionalist and something of a maverick, so it’s no surprise that his eponymous gin is a perfect mix of the two. Made using the methods and techniques of the old school distillers, but with botanicals from a variety of different provinces, Martin Miller’s gin is fresh, citrusy and very drinkable.
Since its launch in 1999, Martin Miller’s Gin has won loads of awards for excellence, but as we’re big fans of that saying about the proof of the pudding, we recommend you try it for yourself.
Where to buy it: DrinksSupermarket.com
Price: From £24.49 for 70cl
Aber Falls
What: Produced and bottled in North Wales, this gin uses Welsh-inspired botanicals to give it a unique flavour. Aber Falls’ Small Batch Welsh Gin is inspired by ancient flavours dating back to Druid times, while its Mountain Fresh Dry Gin is made using Welsh mountain water, traditional juniper and citrus.
Aber Falls also distils two flavoured gins – Orange Marmalade, and Rhubarb & Ginger – which have proved immensely popular with sweet-toothed gin enthusiasts. Enjoy neat or mixed with tonic.
Where to buy it: 31Dover.com
Price: From £23.95 for a 70cl bottle
Feckin Irish Gin
What: This one sounds a little gimmicky, but there’s much more to this gin than its risqué name. Marketed as ‘a bunch of lemons bouncing on a bed of juniper’, this gin packs an initial sherbety punch before transitioning into a delicate, buttercreamy flavour that is as good neat as it is with tonic. And, let’s face it, that name’s going to make you chuckle every time you get the bottle out.
If you like the brand, the Feckin Drinks Company makes whiskey and vodka too.
Where to buy it: MasterofMalt.com
Price: From £28.90 for 70cl
Fishers Gin
What: Crafted in Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast between the sea and the salt marshes, Fishers Gin infuses a medley of local herbs and coastal botanicals before packaging it up in a pretty bottle you’ll definitely want to keep hold of.
Crafted by a real life botanist who takes his inspiration from the recipes of medieval herbalists, this gin manages to capture the wild and forgotten flavours of the British Isles in a drink that is dangerously sip-able. If Cathy and Heathcliff drank gin, we reckon it would be this one.
Where to buy it: MasterofMalt.com
Price: From £39.95 for 70cl
Salcombe Gin
What: Inspired by the 19th-century Salcombe ‘fruiters’ who brought exotic fruit to Devon from the West Indies and Azores, this award-winning gin promises notes of red grapefruit, lemon and lime in addition to the classic juniper palate, which also shows fiery spice.
Pair it with a premium tonic and a slice of grapefruit, add it to a refreshing cocktail or enjoy it neat over ice.
Where to buy it: Salcombe Gin
Price: £40 for 70cl
Mary-Le-Bone
What: Inspired by the exotic blend of people that once frequented Marylebone’s Pleasure Gardens, Mary-Le-Bone London Dry Gin attempts to evoke bygone delights with every sip.
These guys source their ingredients from all over the world, so you can look forward to the flavours of sweet orange peel from Turkey, liquorice root from Spain and cassia bark from Indonesia in every mouthful.
Where to buy it: 31Dover.com
Price: From £42.75 for a 70cl bottle
Ableforth’s Bathtub Gin
What: There’s something about the brown paper, strong and wax-wrapped bottle that makes this gin so tempting that it’s easy to buy a bottle without even stopping to consider. This is no bad thing though, as Ableforth’s Bathtub Gin is delicious.
Made using the traditional method of cold compounding in a large copper bath, this award-winning gin is just what the Victorian doctor ordered for dark evenings and chilly weather.
Where to buy it: MasterofMalt.com
Price: From £29.99 for a 70cl bottle
Tappers
What: Independently produced on the Wirral Peninsula, this handcrafted small-batch gin is made using only natural botanicals sourced as locally as possible. Distinctive, full-bodied and full of flavour, Tappers gins are wonderfully versatile when it comes to serving, whether you add to it or not.
If supporting small family-run distilleries is important to you, you’ll love the fact that each bottle is individually filled, labelled, wax sealed and numbered by hand.
Where to buy it: MasterofMalt.com
Price: From £39.95 for a 70cl bottle of its ‘Falling Leaves’ gin
Mackintosh Scottish Gin
What: Founded by a Scottish gin-loving couple, Mackintosh is now a multi-award-winning distillery thanks to its carefully-balanced and very drinkable gin. It uses a total of nine botanicals sourced from all over the world, but its (not so) secret ingredient is fresh grapefruit, which is purchased locally on the morning of each distillation.
The water used is collected from Backwater Reservoir in North West Angus, making it pure and refreshing. A must-try for gin aficionados.
Where to buy it: MasterofMalt.com
Price: From £38.95 for a 70cl bottle
Koval
What: Distilled in Chicago, Koval – meaning ‘black sheep’ in Yiddish – prides itself on its grain-to-bottle approach. From milling the locally-grown grain to distilling, barrelling, and bottling, this organic, kosher gin is carefully crafted, resulting in a crisp, dry gin that holds its own.
Close your eyes and picture emerald grasses, golden citrus and wildflowers as you sip and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
Where to buy it: DrinksSupermarket.com
Price: From £37.99 for a 70cl bottle
The Botanist
What: Twenty-two hand-foraged botanicals join together with berries, barks and citrus in this Isle of Islay gin. A slow simmer distillation then magically fuses them to create a fresh-tasting gin with hidden depths of flavour.
Bottled in simple, clear glass, this gin needs no fancy packaging to sell it – the flavours speak loudly enough for themselves.
Where to buy it: 31Dover.com
Price: From £31.20 for a 70cl bottle
Fancy a gin-inspired Christmas countdown? Check out our guide to the best gin advent calendars