13 Must-Try Gin Brands

Tanqueray London Dry Gin is likely the most well-known London Dry brand in the United States. The juniper flavor is front and center in Tanqueray, which is one of the reasons it’s such a favorite for a classic gin and tonic. Along with juniper, there’s a bit of cardamom and cinnamon flavor for added spice. 

If an herbal and botanical-forward flavor is your idea of a great gin, Hendrick’s Gin is the best in the game. The flavor is unique compared to any classic London Dry gin, as the brand uses roses and cucumbers for a light and refreshing floral taste. Hendrick’s Gin is the favorite for mixed drinks, especially anything fruity.

Beefeater London Dry is a juniper-forward gin that reasonably balances the other present botanicals well. Juniper sits on top, but you’ll also taste the citrus notes of lemon and orange and the herbal taste of Angelica and Orris roots. Beefeater London Dry is the perfect choice for classic gin martini.

Bombay Sapphire Gin is famous as the gin sitting in a beautiful blue bottle, and the taste reflects that. The botanical flavor is as bright as the bottle, and the gin is pretty citrus-forward. This gin is famous as the perfect base for a bittersweet Negroni cocktail.

Sipsmith London Dry is made using traditional hand-crafted techniques with a slightly modern twist. The idea behind the company is to bring the traditional and classy taste of gin from the old world into the current day. The gin is incredibly smooth, and the top notes are juniper and citrus.

Hayman’s London Dry comes from a family company with 150 years of experience. The gin’s recipe has gone mostly unchanged over the years, resulting in a traditional London Dry gin with an earthy flavor. Hayman’s London Dry is an artisanal gin that could win over anyone that’s avoided gin in the past.

Gray Whale Gin is a wild card in the traditional world of gin. Inspired by the California Gray Whale, this gin uses botanicals found along the natural migration of the whale, including limes, kelp, mint, and fir trees. The taste is very herbal, with a bit of spice for a refreshingly new taste.

Roku Japanese Gin from The House of Suntory is an artisanal gin that focuses on classic Japanese botanicals. Along with all the classic botanicals, this Japanese gin includes Japanese botanicals like sakura flower, green tea, and Japanese pepper. The gin is the perfect mix of floral, herbal, and spicy because of its unique ingredients.

London Dry Gin is a worldwide favorite, but Bluecoat is the first brand to create an American Dry Gin. Created in Philadelphia, Bluecoat American Dry Gin focuses on citrus and coriander's bright and spicy flavors. The bright flavor is perfect for a gin-based Old Fashioned or citrusy cocktail.

Based out of Vermont, Barr Hill has an intriguing story as the company was created by a distiller and a beekeeper. They combined their talents and made a gin that showcased their bee’s honey.  Because of the honey, Barr Hill gin has a warm and sweet taste wrapped up in the other botanicals.

Off the coast of Scotland sits a remote island called Islay, where The Botanist Islay Dry Gin is created and distilled. Islay's natural environment directly inspires this gin's taste, so botanicals include local ingredients like thyme, mint, chamomile, and clover. The flavor is complex and full-bodied, so this gin is best experienced in simple cocktails.

Dorothy Parker Gin is a small-batch gin created by the New York Distilling Company. The gin uses Dorothy Parker, a famous New York icon, as the face of their gin because of its bold, spicy, and floral flavor. Elderberries and hibiscus petals go into this gin, and you can taste that sweet floral note.

Founded in 2006, Aviation American Gin is one of the modern brands that has made a name for itself quickly. Earth and spice are the top notes in Aviation, as the gin combines cardamom, coriander, and juniper. With a distinct and bold flavor, Aviation American Gin is the perfect gin for a gin and tonic or a cocktail like Tom Collins.