Gin, a spirit flavored with juniper berries, has been enjoyed for centuries and has recently seen a surge in popularity.
There’s a wide range of gin brands, so finding the right one can be overwhelming. That’s why I’ve listed top-shelf gin brands that will impress even the most discerning gin fans.
Join me as I explore the best of the best in the world of gin.
20 Top-Shelf Gin Brands
Here’s a list of top-shelf gin brands you must try and pick a favorite.
1. Hendrick’s Gin
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Hendrick’s is a popular brand of gin first made in 1999 in Scottish Distillery, William Grant & Sons.
It’s made from a blend of botanicals such as juniper, orange peel, coriander, elderflower, caraway, orris root, yarrow root, cubeb berries, lemon peel, chamomile, and angelica root, infused with cucumber, and rose petals.
Hendrick’s Gin is known for its unique flavor profile and distinctive bottle design and has won numerous awards. It’s bottled at 44% ABV and is usually served with tonic water in a highball glass garnished with a slice of cucumber.
2. The Botanist
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The Botanist is another Scottish gin first produced in Bruichladdich Distillery on the island of Islay.
It’s made with 31 botanicals like juniper, orris root, angelica root, lemon peel, coriander, cassia bark, and others native to the island of Islay flowers and herbs.
Each of these botanicals is distilled separately and blended to make one great-tasting gin that has won many awards and accolades.
It’s bottled at 46% ABV and can be enjoyed on its own or as a part of various cocktails.
3. Sipsmith Gin
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Sipsmith Gin is London dry gin first made in 2009 in London by Sam Galsworthy, Fairfax Hall, and Jared Brown.
This gin uses traditional production methods and ten botanicals like Macedonian juniper berries, angelica root, cassia bark, coriander seed, orris root, lemon peel, orange peel, licorice root, cinnamon bark, and almonds.
All these botanicals are carefully selected to create a gin with a well-balanced and complex flavor profile. Sipsmith Gin is bottled at 41.6% ABV and has a clean, smooth taste with hints of juniper, spice, and citrus.
This versatile spirit can be enjoyed on its own or in various cocktails. Sipsmith Gin has won numerous awards and accolades for its quality, exceptional flavor, and craftsmanship.
4. Bombay Sapphire
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Bombay Sapphire is a popular premium gin product of Bacardi Limited. It was first made in 1986. This gin is known for the unique blend of ten botanicals it’s made from and a unique blue bottle.
The carefully selected botanicals to create a unique flavor profile are juniper berries, almonds, cassia bark, angelica root, lemon peel, coriander seeds, grains of paradise, cubeb berries, licorice, and orris root.
It has a refreshing and crisp taste with citrus and floral hints. Bombay Sapphire gin is bottled at 40% ABV and can be enjoyed on its own or in various cocktails.
5. Tanqueray Gin
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Tanqueray Gin, named after its creator Charles Tanqueray is a type of London dry gin first produced in 1830. It’s made from juniper berries, angelica root, coriander seeds, and licorice root.
Tanqueray Gin has a crisp, dry taste, strong juniper flavor, and hints of spice and sweetness. It’s great on its own, over ice, or with tonic water, but it’s also a popular ingredient in various cocktails.
6. Monkey 47
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Monkey 47 is a premium gin made in the Black Forrest region in Germany. As its name says, this gin has 47 botanicals, including herbs, fruits, and spices.
Some of the botanicals used to make Monkey 47 are: juniper berries, blackberry leaves, lemon peel, angelica root, lavender, sage, grains of paradise, elderflowers, lingonberries, and spruce shoots.
These carefully selected and blended botanicals create a gin with a complex and well-balanced flavor with notes of juniper, citrus, and all other botanicals.
Monkey 47 is usually served in classic gin cocktails but can also be enjoyed independently.
7. Hayman’s Gin
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Hayman’s Gin is London dry gin produced since the 1860s by the Hayman family.
It’s made with a blend of ten carefully selected botanicals like juniper berries, lemon peel, orange peel, coriander seeds, nutmeg, angelica root, licorice, cassia bark, orris root, and cinnamon.
Hayman’s Gin has a smooth, well-balanced, dry flavor with citrus and slightly spicy notes. It can be enjoyed independently, but it’s also used in various cocktails, such as Gin Fizz and Tom Collins.
8. Gray Whale Gin
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Gray Whale Gin is a premium gin brand in California by Golden State Distillery.
The unique blend of botanicals native to California’s coast used for its production sets Gray Whale Gin apart from the other gin brands. This blend includes juniper berries, fir trees, sea kelp, mint, limes, and almonds.
Gray Whale Gin has a distinct, refreshing, and complex flavor profile. It’s great on its own or mixed in various cocktails.
9. Beefeater
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Beefeater is one of the most popular gin brands in the world. It has been produced since 1876 in London, England.
Beefeater is made with a blend of nine botanicals: juniper, angelica seeds, coriander, Seville oranges, almonds, licorice, angelica root, orris root, and lemon peel.
The flavor profile of Beefeater Gin is dominated by the juniper and complemented by the citrus, floral, and slightly spicy notes.
Overall, Beefeater has a well-balanced flavor profile that is versatile and can be enjoyed on its own or in various cocktails.
10. Malfy Gin
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Malfy Gin is an Italian brand of gin known for its high quality. It’s distilled by the Torino Distillati and infused with Italian botanicals like juniper, orange peel, coriander, lemon, licorice, grapefruit peel, and cassia.
Malfy Gin has a bright, refreshing flavor with citrusy, slightly spicy, sweet hints. It’s perfect for sipping on its own or mixing in various cocktails and is a great option for those who like slightly sweet gin with citrus flavor.
11. Highclere Castle Gin
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Highclere Castle Gin is a premium brand of gin produced at one of England’s oldest gin distilleries Langley Distillery.
It’s made with a blend of botanicals like juniper, lime flower, lavender, orange peel, oats, coriander, angelica root, cassia bark, licorice, green cardamom, and peppercorns.
These botanicals are carefully selected to create a gin with a well-balanced and nuanced flavor profile.
The flavor profile of Highclere Castle Gin is complex and layered. Juniper gives the basic flavor, while the other botanicals add floral, herbal, citrusy, sweet, and spicy flavor to this gin.
Highclere Castle Gin is well-crafted and has a unique flavor profile. It’s great for sipping neat or used in a variety of cocktails.
12. Plymouth Gin
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Plymouth Gin is one of the oldest gin brands in the world, dating back to 1793.
It’s produced in Plymouth, England, from a blend of seven botanicals, including juniper berries, angelica root, orange peel, coriander seeds, lemon peel, cardamom pods, and orris root.
A characteristic of Plymouth Gin is that it’s distilled at a single distillery that has operated since 1793.
This gin has a smooth, well-balanced blend of flavors and is versatile enough to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in various cocktails.
13. Watenshi Gin
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Watenshi Gin is a premium gin produced in England by the Cambridge Distillery. This small-batch gin uses a unique distillation process that helps preserve the botanicals’ delicate flavors.
These 25 botanicals, including Macedonian juniper, yuzu citrus, Japanese cherry blossom, and Bulgarian coriander, are carefully selected to create a gin with a complex and well-balanced flavor profile.
Watenshi Gin has a fresh, floral aroma and smooth, slightly sweet fruity taste with hints from all the botanicals used for its production.
This gin is a popular choice for gin collectors and connoisseurs because it’s presented in a distinctive hand-blown bottle signed by the distiller.
You can drink Watenshi Gin neat or on the rocks to appreciate its flavor profile without being masked by other ingredients.
14. Nolet’s Gin
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Nolet’s Gin is a premium gin produced by the Nolet Distillery in Schiedam, Netherlands. The gin is made from various botanicals like Turkish rose, juniper, raspberry, and peach.
Nolet’s Gin has a floral, fruity aroma with citrus and spice notes. Moreover, the taste is smooth, silky, sweet, and fruity. This gin is packaged in a beautiful bottle with a unique shape and silver stopper engraved with the Nolet family crest.
Nolet’s Gin is usually enjoyed neat or on the rocks but is also used in various cocktails.
15. Ki No Bi
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Ki No Bi is a brand of Japanese premium gin produced by the Kyoto distillery in Kyoto. It’s made from 11 Japanese botanicals, including hinoki, yuzu, kinome, green tea, and bamboo.
Ki No Bi gin has a dry, slightly sweet, fruity flavor with hints of juniper and other botanicals. It’s usually enjoyed neat or on the rocks but is also a good ingredient in various cocktails.
If you’re a gin collector or connoisseur, Ki No Bi is a popular choice because it’s presented in a well-designed bottle with a label that features traditional Japanese calligraphy.
16. Koval
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Koval is an American gin produced in the Koval distillery in Chicago, Illinois.
It’s made using a grain spirit from organic wheat and a blend of 13 organic unusual and unique botanicals like a wildflower and rose hip, alongside juniper, coriander, angelica root, and others.
Combining these botanicals gives Koval Gin a refreshing, complex, well-balanced, slightly sweet, fruity taste. It’s usually enjoyed neat or on the rocks but is also a perfect gin for cocktails.
17. Aviation
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Aviation is a premium gin brand first produced in 2006 in Portland, Oregon.
This small-batch gin is made with a unique combination of botanicals, including juniper, lavender, cardamom, sarsaparilla, and anise. It uses base spirit made with a rye grain neutral spirit and is distilled in small batches, contributing to this gin’s unique flavor and texture.
Aviation Gin has a complex, smooth, slightly sweet fruity taste complemented by the flavors of all the botanicals. It’s usually served neat, on the rocks, and in various cocktails.
18. Dorothy Parker
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Dorothy Parker is a premium American gin named after the famous American writer, poet, and satirist. This small batch of gin is made with a unique combination of botanicals and a base spirit made from 100% grain. It’s distilled in small batches in Brooklyn, New York.
Dorothy Parker Gin has a smooth, well-rounded, slightly sweet, fruity taste with hints of juniper, cinnamon, hibiscus, and elderberries.
Dorothy Parker Gin is presented in an elegant bottle featuring the writer’s portrait and signature. It’s a versatile gin usually served neat, on the rocks, and as a part of various cocktails.
19. Aria Portland Dry Gin
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Aria Portland Dry Gin is a London Dry Gin produced in Portland, Oregon. It’s made with a blend of 10 botanicals, including juniper berries, coriander, angelica root, orange peel, lemon peel, cassia bark, cardamom, grains of paradise, orris root, and cubeb berry.
Aria Portland Dry Gin has a clean and refreshing aroma and smooth, well-balanced, slightly sweet flavor with hints of citrus, cardamom, and coriander. The finish is long, dry, and slightly bitter – characteristic of London Dry Gins.
Aria Portland Dry Gin has well rounded and balanced flavor making it a versatile gin great for drinking neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
20. Principe De Los Apostoles Mate Gin
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Principe De Los Apostoles Mate Gin is a premium gin brand produced in Argentina. This gin is made with various botanicals such as yerba mate, eucalyptus, pink grapefruit, peppermint, coriander seeds, and juniper berries.
Yerba mate is a South American traditional herb that gives the gin a unique flavor and aroma, making it a popular choice among gin lovers and enthusiasts. Principe De Los Apostoles Mate Gin is enjoyed neat on the rocks and in great-tasting cocktails.
If you want to try a top-quality gin with great taste, don’t hesitate to choose Principe De Los Apostoles Mate Gin.
What’s Your Pick?
Top-shelf gin is a category of gins with the highest quality available. They’re usually made using carefully crafted, high-quality ingredients to produce a gin with a well-balanced flavor.
Whether you prefer a classic London Dry gin or a more unique and innovative style, a top-shelf gin will suit your tastes.
From the floral notes of Hendrick’s to the smooth and versatile Plymouth Gin, there is a wide range of top-shelf gins to explore and enjoy.
Whether you enjoy them neat, on the rocks, or in a classic cocktail, top-shelf gin will impress and delight even the most discerning gin enthusiasts.
