Nine gins to try if you don’t like gin. They will reinvent your expectations of gin with clever flavour combinations and unique serving suggestions.
1. Mix it up with this Kaffir Lime & Lemongrass Distilled Gin by Twisting Spirits. It’s zesty, fragrant and aromatic, with 18 botanicals inspired by Thai flavours. Enjoy it with a slice of Jalapeño pepper, ginger and star anise to really bring out the Asian spice notes. £39, 70cl, twistingspirits.co.uk
2. Distilled using pure English water, Tiger Gin is made with traditional methods to create a complex, wellbalanced gin. Dried orange and lemon peel botanicals pair well with dried angelica root to give sweet and earthy elements. £37.95, 70cl, tigergin.co.uk
3. Winner of the hugely prestigious The Whisky Exchange Spirit of the Year 2017, Garden Swift Gin is a rich and complex gin with notes of blood orange, pine, berries, spice and fl owers. Enjoy it neat or in a cocktail. £35, 500ml, capreolusdistillery.co.uk
4. One Gin is abundant with fresh English sage, juniper, citrus and is copper distilled into a wonderfully smooth, aromatic spirit. At least 10 per cent of profi ts go towards funding for safe, clean water projects in the world’s poorest communities. So Far, The One Foundation has transformed the lives of more than three million people. £42, 70cl, thespiritofone.com
5. Anno Kent Dry Gin is a multiaward- winning gin that incorporates local botanicals synonymous with the Kent countryside, such as hops, samphire and local florals. It’s an outstanding, super-smooth gin with a lovely finish of leafy, herbal notes. £36, 70cl, annodistillers.co.uk
6. This Campfire Cask Aged Gin from Pudding Stone Distillery rests for 22 days after it has been distilled in American Oak, ex-bourbon casks sourced from Kings County Distillery in Williamsburg, New York. It has a unique flavour profile. Serve it with Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic or Fever-Tree Madagascan Cola for a G&T to remember. £36, 50cl, puddingstonedistillery.com
7. If you’re making gin cocktails and unsure what gin to use – try Speciality Cocktail Gin. It’s been created by Two Birds Spirits in Leicestershire which ramped up the juniper intensity of its awardwinning London Dry Gin to make the perfect cocktail gin. It really does go with everything. £33, 70cl, twobirdsspirits.co.uk
8. The Orangery Gin by Shrewsbury-based The English Drinks Company is a traditionally crafted gin infused with Valencian oranges that boasts zesty, citrus notes and a delicate smooth finish. Serve over ice with a good tonic and a slice or two of orange. £35, 70cl, englishdrinkscompany.co.uk
9. Mikkelmas Gin is named after Orkney’s harvest festival, a time full of celebration of a successful harvest and a good summer. Made by the Orkney Gin Company, from a mixture of secret mulled spices, cinnamon, cloves and rose hip, it’s smooth and warming – the perfect drink for autumn and winter. £32.99, 50cl, orkneygincompany.co.uk
Still want more gin recommendations? We’ve got plenty here for sweet and fruity gins and for a cocktail menu masterclass.
