22 Gins Every Gin Drinker Must Try

Gin o’clock.

Gin is awesome. It’s like vodka but 100x better because it actually tastes of things.

Like juniper and citrus and spices and joy.

Aldi

But because everyone loves gin, it means there’s now SO MUCH GIN. And if you want to try a new one, it can get a bit…overwhelming.

“Oooh, I want to try a new gin!”

“OK, great, we stock 100 different gin brands, which would you like?”

“Uhhh, the pretty green bottle…wait no, this one has cardamom in it and I love cardamom…wait it’s HOW much? Argh, I don’t know, surprise me!”

“Here’s your Gordon’s and tonic.”

“…Fuck.”

NBC

So we asked a bunch of bartenders and industry experts to tell us the essential gins every gin lover should try.

We talked to brand ambassadors, gin distillers, bar owners, and a lot of bartenders. Whether you’re looking to just branch out from Gordon’s, or have already hit the holy trio (Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick’s, Beefeater) and are looking for smaller, craft fare, they know the gins you need to start sipping, and why they’re worth trying.

(I have also added my own commentary as I fucking love gin, so you’re getting my two cents as well. Gin knowledge is my one life skill. Don’t ruin this for me.)

Here’s what they suggested.

Hendricks / Via officinak.tumblr.com

Sipsmith

If you’re a gin drinker, you have to try Sipsmith. It played a HUGE role in the current gin renaissance. Back in the 18th century, the Gin Craze created a moral panic, and the government imposed a series of laws to halt gin production in London. These laws remained in place until Sipsmith came along in the 2000s, and got them changed – opening the gates for the first craft gin production in London since 1820.

“Making Sipsmith, I didn’t strive for a crowd pleaser. I made exactly the gin I want to drink. It’s got a creamy English wheat base spirit, soft pine, and sweet citrus of juniper, accented with citrus, dry floral, and warm spice notes. The hint of lemongrass and pepper in the finish are a bonus to me. It’s a gin lover’s gin, from a small copper still and not made as a concentrate (no spirit added after distillation).”

– Jared Brown, master distiller at Sipsmith, the Cotswolds

Notes: dry juniper, lemon tart, and orange marmalade
Perfect serve: a martini

Instagram: @sipsmith

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