Gin Buyers Guide for beginners
Author: Adam O'Connell
Time: Reading time 10 minutes
Why should I buy gin?
There is really nothing else like gin and nothing else you can use to make that staple of British culture, the noble Gin and Tonic. Deceptively simple, the drink is a refreshing combination of bittersweet tonic water, a good measure or two of gin, and perhaps a little citrus to finish.
Of course, gin is so much more than just a spirit for mixing. You can enjoy it neat or over ice with a slice of lemon, but arguably the greatest delivery method ‘twixt gin bottle and gob is the Martini. If the Gin and Tonic is deceptively simple, the Gin Martini is the deceptiveliest (don’t look that word up) simple. The ingredients are gin, a little vermouth, and perhaps a twist of lemon peel or an olive or two. According to Noel Coward, a perfect Martini should be made by “filling a glass with gin, and waving it in the general direction of Italy”. Bit pretentious, but you get the point.
The simplicity of the recipe gives you an idea of just how much gin brings to the table (or Martini glass). Despite having just two ingredients (three if you count the garnish), it manages to be a rich, evocative, sublime drink when made properly.
Did you know?
We have also written an 'Ultimate Guide to Gin' which has in depth content about all manner of things gin related.
Gin for the first time buyer
You’ve come to the right place - we’ve got thousands of different gins available, as well as our in-house team of experts who have helped curate a selection of gins for every occasion, ordered by 'style'.
Styles of gin
Today, there are numerous styles of gin, all of which have their own characteristics and intended purposes. We like to keep things relatively simple, and have broken gin down into eight core segments.
London Dry Gin
The gin you think of when you think of gin, London Dry is the classic style and the first choice in a perfect Gin and Tonic. However, despite its name, it doesn’t have to be made in London. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be made in the UK; there are London Dry Gins available from all over the world, from countries such as France, the USA, Italy, and Spain.
Of course, its origins are firmly rooted in the British capital, coming as a response to the truly dreadful spirits which first appeared during the gin craze of the 1700s.
Today, the designation “London Dry Gin” refers to a gin made from a neutral base spirit, distilled to at least 96% ABV, with all-natural botanicals which must be added during the distillation process, and nothing but water and, optionally, just the merest hint of sweetener.
London Dry Gin is a clean, crisp, style of gin, with juniper’s tangy, pine-like notes front and centre.
Tanqueray No. Ten Gin
Introduced in 2000, Tanqueray No. Ten is named after the still of its origin, pot still number 10, which is quite endearingly nicknamed Tiny Ten. The small batch gin is crafted using whole fresh citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes and grapefruit, along with chamomile flowers and other traditional botanicals. Expect a burst of citrus with every sip. Quite notably, it is also the only gin to secure a spot in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition Hall of Fame. This iconic tipple makes a mean Martini.
Cask Aged Gin
A popular choice for creative distillers today, cask-aged gin is a style which dates all the way back to the early days of Jenever (also known as Genever), when a much more whisky-like base spirit was often aged in wooden casks. Back then, the casks were used not only as storage, but to mellow out a fairly harsh-tasting liquor.
Today, casks are used in a much more artisanal manner, as a means of bringing additional flavour and all the unique aromas and qualities associated with oak maturation. The effects of a little time in oak can be mind-boggling, and so it’s not always easy to describe the segment as a whole. Of course, you’re likely to get a little vanilla, maybe some spice, and perhaps some rich woody notes in a cask-aged gin.
Many of our cask-aged gins are best enjoyed neat, to really relish the unique and sometimes outlandish flavours. We’re also not averse to using these in a gin cocktail - cask-ageing can bring a wonderful new dimension to the finished drink.
Flavoured Gin
Take gin as a base, and have at it with whatever ingredients you like… That’s flavoured gin. We’ve got expressions flavoured with elderflower, dandelion or rosemary, or fruity gins packed full of raspberries, pineapples, and even Jaffa cakes, or are they biscuits (they’re cakes, AI told us so).
Much like liqueurs, the huge variety of flavoured gins can be a bartender’s dream - you can not only use flavoured gins to make beautiful cocktails, but also bring a new dimension to your Gin and Tonic.
Malfy Gin Con Arancia
The Malfy Gin range showcases all sorts of terrific citrus deliciousness, and the Con Arancia is all about Sicilian blood oranges! A bright, vibrant Italian gin, with the Sicilian blood oranges bringing plenty of juicy, sweet, refreshing notes to the table. Ought to be ideal for enjoying in a Gin Tonica with lots of fresh fruit for garnish. We could also see a Negroni made with this stuff doing very well, if you're particularly keen on introducing intense orange notes to the classic serve.
Sloe Gin
Sloe Gin is a rich, tart, red-hued drink made by combining gin with sloes - the fruit of the blackthorn plant, which offers up a tart, tangy flavour reminiscent of sour cherries and plums. Recipes for sloe gin typically call for the addition of sugar, which makes Sloe Gin a liqueur, rather than a true gin.
This sweet, tangy libation is traditionally enjoyed neat. It also works very well with tonic water, or perhaps in a Sloe Gin Fizz with lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.
Old Tom Gin
Somewhere between London Dry Gin and traditional Genever/Jenever, Old Tom was a style of gin popular in 18th-century England.
As a response to the Gin Craze, punitive measures and high taxes brought in by the British government led to an underground gin movement. Those selling illicit gin would hang a wooden sign shaped like a black cat (known colloquially as an “Old Tom”) outside their premises. There was a slot under the cat’s paw, into which punters would pop their money, and, in return, gin would be poured through a lead tube by a bartender inside the building.
Whilst a much less common gin today, Old Tom made a bit of a comeback during the craft cocktail movement in the first years of the 21st century.
Old Tom Gin is a little drier than the historic Dutch Jenever, but slightly sweeter than London Dry Gin. The botanicals also tend to be less in-your-face. The result is a gin which works well in a variety of cocktails, particularly the Martinez or a classic Tom Collins. Like most gin, it can also be poured in a highball with tonic water and plenty of ice.
Pink Gin
Pink… it was love at first sight… and while today Pink Gin has become a category in its own right, it started out as something altogether very different.
In mid-19th century England, Pink Gin first came into being as a cocktail, made with Plymouth gin, a little water, and a dash of Angostura bitters - a rich, spicy concoction which gives the cocktail its pink hue.
Much like Gin and Tonic, the drink was originally intended as a medicinal concoction, as Angostura Bitters were once used to treat seasickness.
Pink Gin is often used as a catch-all moniker for any gin with a pink hue. These spirits can be floral or fruity in persuasion, and take their colour from anything from grapes to pink lemons. You’ll find some lovely perfume-y expressions, and the pink colour makes for a really beautiful-looking Gin and Tonic.
Mermaid Pink Gin
The Isle of Wight Distillery has created a vibrant variation of it's excellent Mermaid Gin, boasting a delightfully sweet flavour profile and rosy hue thanks to an infusion of Island strawberries! These tasty little rascals make for an intriguing juxtaposition with the botanicals already in the mix, including the subtly savoury rock samphire, the herbaceous Boadicea hops and the zesty Sicilian lemon. Smashing in a G&T garnished with strawberries.
Navy Strength Gin
A term used in both the worlds of rum and gin, Navy Strength refers to a spirit over imperial “100 proof” strength (around 57% ABV). This harks back to the days of gunpowder and the Royal Navy, when the ships were loaded up with cannons, crew, water, provisions, and, of course, alcohol.
Over a long voyage that equated to an awful lot of the aforementioned water, provisions, and (of course) alcohol. And, all that liquid sloshing about near your precious stocks of gunpowder could spell disaster - if your powder was too sodden to light, you were in real trouble.
For this reason, spirits needed to be particularly high in ABV (alcohol by volume). High enough, in fact, so that when mixed with gunpowder, the powder would still catch light. If it did so, it was deemed to be at least 100 proof (in imperial measurements), which was just over 57% ABV, also known as “Navy Strength”.
Not only do Navy Strength gins have an illustrious history, but they can also offer up an additional punch to mixed drinks, and thanks to being less diluted, are often very intense and flavoursome.
Plymouth Gin
A curious one, as Plymouth Gin is not only a style of gin, but also a brand. That’s right - the world has just one maker of Plymouth gin, named, well, Plymouth Gin, and produced in Plymouth, Devon.
It was first made in 1793 on the site of what was said to be a Dominican Order monastery, named Black Friars, itself dating back to 1431. Thanks in part to its location in the famous port city, Plymouth Gin has a storied history associated with the Royal Navy. For that reason, Plymouth produces a fabulous Navy Strength gin. Plymouth was once one of just three gins in the entire world which carried an EU geographical indication (the other two being Gin de Mahón and Vilnius Gin).
In terms of style, this is a very earthy, citrus-forward gin which makes (for our money) an absolutely first-rate Dry Martini.
Gins on a budget
Here's the finest premium gins for under £50
Gins for gifting
Thanks to its universal appeal, gin is a great little gift. We have a selection of tasting sets and gin gift sets to suit any budget.
Where to start with gin
If you want to learn more about gin, we recommend checking out our huge range of 30ml gin samples. These are just a fraction of the cost of a full-sized bottle, allowing you to try a gin without having to first shell out on a full bottle.
Gin on the blog
You've read through our buyers guide to gin - but we have more gin features, reviews and news on our blog.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some helpful answers to your questions about gin
How do you store a bottle of gin?
To best preserve the freshness and flavour of your gin, be sure to store it upright (this helps protect the integrity of the cork), away from direct sunlight, in a cupboard or storage space with a consistent temperature. Make sure the cork or top is tightly sealed.
How long does gin last once opened?
An opened bottle of gin, if stored correctly, will maintain its original flavour and freshness for some years, and if properly looked after can last for a very long time indeed. However, generally it's best enjoyed within a year or two to ensure optimal complexity and aroma.
How many calories are there in a Gin & Tonic?
A standard Gin & Tonic (and note, this isn’t exactly a generous pour) made with 1.5 measures of gin, topped up with tonic water, typically contains around 150-200 calories. Of course, this will depend on the brand you use, whether or not you opt for slimline or diet Tonic, and importantly, how big a G&T you make.
Should you actually shake a Martini?
Tradition dictates that Martinis should be stirred, not shaken, to gently combine the ingredients without overly aerating the drink. However, it’s all a matter of taste; some people prefer the slightly more diluted though colder "shaken, not stirred" Martinis of the Bond films.
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