Christmas guides

Our guide to buying gin for Christmas

We all know someone who loves their gin. While that probably wasn’t the case 20 years ago, the spirit’s botanical brilliance, easy-mixing style, and irrepressible identity has cemented it as a firm favourite of many. Which means there are a lot of people out there who would love nothing more than to find a bottle of gin underneath the Christmas tree.

With gin’s booming popularity comes a vast array of choices, however, and it’s not always easy to narrow these down. Each bottle has its own narrative, flavour profile, and charm, so which is the right one for you? As you embark on your Christmas gin shopping, let us be your guide to buying the perfect gin Christmas present.

Contributed by

Adam O'Connell

Tap into their type

Not all gins are created equal. There are many different styles and you need to find the one they will appreciate the most. A London dry gin, for example, is characterized by its strong juniper presence, so it's one for purists. An Old Tom gin has sugar or honey added, so perfect for a sweet tooth. A navy strength gin is high in ABV, making it robust and flavourful, which some will adore, while there’s a whole world of flavoured editions. Speaking of which…

Have fun with flavour

Flavoured gin does not just mean pink gin or sloe gin anymore (although they are delicious this time of year). There’s Jaffa Cake Gin now. Parma Violet gin. We have a whole section dedicated to rhubarb, for heaven’s sake. If you know what flavour they like, there’s probably a gin for it. Try it out. Type in ‘chocolate gin’ or ‘chilli gin’, or ‘salty gin’ in our search bar, and you will get results.

Botanical bonanza

That also goes for botanicals. Gin's essence lies in its botanicals and while juniper is the staple, it can be infused with a plethora of ingredients, from citrus peels to rose petals, from coriander seeds to lavender. When selecting a gin, consider the profile of botanicals to match the taste preference of your loved one.

Christmas editions

Some gin brands release limited Christmas editions infused with festive botanicals like cinnamon, cloves, or cranberries. That Boutique-y Gin Company’s Yuletide Gin, for example, includes traditional winter botanicals like nutmeg and cloves as well as gold, frankincense, myrrh, Christmas tree needles, and even an entire gingerbread house.

Go for a gift set

A great choice for someone new to gin or for those looking to explore a brand more deeply, gift sets do all the work for you. They often come in beautifully designed boxes or with collector's items like glasses. Our gift finder offers a tonne of ideas on how to spoil and surprise that special someone, while we also have a specialist gin gift page too.

Gin with a story

Whether it's a bottle from a historic distillery echoing the tales of old or a contemporary craft gin narrating a new story, there’s something for every palate. The provenance of a gin can add a layer of intrigue, from a British classic like Tanqueray to new world gins made all over the globe, from Australia to Brazil.

Festively fine

You want to make an impression when your loved one is unwrapping their present? Then go for a premium gin that’s housed in an artfully designed bottle. Expressions like Comte de Grasse 44°N and Procera not only taste brilliant, but look beautiful. A visually striking bottle can add to the allure of your present.

Advent adventures

One bottle of gin? Wonderful. 24 mini bottles? Now we’re talking. We make boozy advent calendars that help spirit lovers build up to the big day in style and we know from years of experience how much people appreciate these as presents. It’s a unique gift presented in a beautiful box that gives them something to look forward to every day of the festive season and may even start a new annual tradition..

Taste and discover

If you just can’t narrow down your options to one gin you think they’ll love, then why not get them several? Our Tasting Sets cover various themes and styles, while even giving the option to get really personal and build your own selection!

Find their flavour

Some people like a bold, juniper-heavy gin, while others might lean towards more floral or citrusy flavours. You understand their preference, and you’ll find the right present.

Hot off the press

If you want to get something hot and new, then we’ve got just the thing for you, our new arrivals section, filled with all the latest and greatest drams.

Buy a bargain

Times are hard, and we know some of you will be counting the pennies this Christmas, but there are deals galore here in our Clearance Range.

Research and refine

If you’re not confident in your own opinion, that’s ok, because we can fix that. Between our dedicated gin guides, our online blog, and the information we write personally on every product we stock, you are just a click away from the expertise that will help you find what you’re looking for. A little research can go a long way in making an informed choice.

Gift vouchers

If you’re seriously stuck or need something super and quick convenient, then our gift vouchers are ideal. Master of Malt gift vouchers never expire and will earn you 5% interest per year. You can also choose between a physical or electronic gift voucher. How many gift vouchers can boast all that?!

Cheers to a gin-tastic Christmas!