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#1 |  | BEST OVERALL Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin | ||
#2 |  | Uncle Vals's Botanical Gin | ||
#3 |  | Hendrick's Gin | ||
#4 |  | Empress 1908 Original Indigo | ||
#5 |  | Barr Hill Tom Cat Aged Gin |
Gin is sometimes underrated. While you might not think of it as a big deal, it’s one of the most versatile and fun drinks to enjoy, which is in part thanks to how it comes in a variety of different flavors and contains delicious botanicals.
Is gin healthy? Gin can be healthy, provided that you don’t drink it with mixers that can pile on the sugar and calories.
If you want to try gin or you’re just looking for one that’s more exciting than what you’re used to, here are five of the best gins to up your gin game.
We’ll also look at some interesting facts and information about gin and how to drink it, as well as dig deeper into its health benefits.
Best Gin – Reviews & Buying guide for 2021
Best Overall: Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin
Whether you’re hosting a party at your home or you just want to enjoy a new gin, this one is worth purchasing. Here’s why.
Specs
- Volume: 1 liter
- Proof: 94
Pros
- Monkey 47 is a gin that’s rare. It gets its name because it blends 47 botanicals. It’s been carefully crafted with herbs, spices, flowers, lingonberries, and citrus fruits.
- It’s been produced in batches with the use of traditional distilling methods. This gin is said to offer a balanced and complex taste.
- This is a great gin for people who love contemporary gins and having a spin on a traditional taste.
- It can be enjoyed on its own, or you can mix it in the best gin cocktails to bring out its exceptional flavor profile. This makes it a versatile and delicious gin to own in your collection.
- If you love negroni cocktails, you’ll love having Monkey 47 gin available to add to it. It’s regarded as one of the best gins to enjoy with this cocktail because of its botanicals.
Cons
- Some people might not like that this gin doesn’t have enough juniper, but that’s a matter of preference and might not apply to you.
Runner Up: Uncle Vals’s Botanical Gin
If you love citrus and floral notes in your gin, Uncle Val’s the way to go. This gin has a nice backstory: it was inspired by Zio Valerio’s gardening hobby and native Tuscan cuisine, so the botanicals include his go-to cooking ingredients. Here’s what you can expect from this gin.
Specs
- Volume: 750ml
- Proof: 80
Pros
- This gin is smooth and very tasty. It makes use of bright citrus, lavender, and cucumber. You’ll also get a bit of spice in the finish, however, it’s mostly citrus and floral in nature. Cucumber and lemon are the stars of this gin.
- When it comes to the gin’s texture, it’s smooth and has moderate viscosity. You’ll find that swirling the gin around in your mouth will make it coat your tongue and leave behind a long-lasting flavor.
- This gin is said to work well when paired with a martini, so that’s something to try.
- If you’re looking for a gin that’s quite different and surprising, you won’t be disappointed. This best gin for martini drinks has a smooth finish with a bit of a minty surprise.
Cons
- You should avoid drinking this gin with sweet tonic water. The effect might be too sugary and filled with too much of a lemon flavor. Of course, if you love very sweet drinks and/or lemon flavors, then ignore this point.
- Some people who have tried this gin have reported that it’s a bit too distinctive, so it might not appeal to you if you want a more straightforward and traditional gin.
Alternative: Hendrick’s Gin
This best gin brand from Scotland is said to be like no other. Here’s what makes it unique and why it’s considered to be the best gin in the world.
Specs
- Volume: 750ml
- Proof: 88
Pros
- This gin is infused with Bulgarian Rose Damascena and cucumbers to give you delicious floral and cucumber notes.
- It’s handcrafted in small batches so that it can be carefully controlled. This makes it special and artistic, which further contributes to it being one of the best gin brands.
- During the gin-making process, the botanicals are left in spirit overnight so that they can produce a rich, delicious flavor.
- The gin is very smooth and has a wonderful balance of subtle, yet memorable, flavors.
- What’s interesting about this gin is that it doesn’t go over the top with its rosewater or cucumber flavors. Instead, these are left to be subtle. There are also other flavors that peek out, such as white pepper, floral notes, and citrus.
- If you’re usually a vodka drinker, you should enter the exciting world of gin by trying this one, as a result of its light, subtle flavors. Based on that, this is also the best gin for gin and tonic, which is a must to try.
Cons
- While it’s delicious, some people say that it’s overpriced.
Alternative: Empress 1908 Original Indigo
This gin’s indigo bottle will make you think of island vacations and deep blue seas. Have a taste and you’ll be pleasantly intrigued by this gin that’s completely natural. Let’s check out its features.
Specs
- Volume: 750ml
- Proof: 85
Pros
- It’s not just the bottle that’s a gorgeous deep blue, but the gin itself comes in vibrant blue color. This is a result of its tinted butterfly pea blossoms.
- When you mix this gin with a tonic or citrus, its color becomes pink! This is a feature that makes this gin quite a statement when serving guests. It’s perfect for making your parties more memorable.
- The gin has a mild and malty flavor, with ingredients such as white pepper, orris root, and coriander that come into play.
- The gin makes use of eight botanicals that are both traditional (such as juniper) and unique (such as tea), to infuse the gin with an earthy, herbal, floral, and citrus blend.
- If you’re looking for a nice balanced and clean gin, this one is definitely worth considering.
Cons
- The color of this gin has been said to confuse some people who were expecting a more modern taste.
- If you like to drink your gin by sipping it with ice, this might not be the best idea with this gin as it offers too much heat right away.
Alternative: Barr Hill Tom Cat Aged Gin
This gin is basically an update on the standard Bar Hill Gin, but with some surprising twists.
Specs
- Volume: 750ml
- Proof: 87
Pros
- This gin has been distilled from corn and was finished with organic raw honey. It was barrel-aged for six months in American oak casks.
- This gin offers a sweet burst of flavor when you first take a sip, and then it becomes a peachy, vanilla dream. It’s said to have a chocolatey finish which might make you think of flavored whiskey.
- What’s really unique about this gin is that the only botanical that’s used in it is juniper.
- This best gin for the money is complex with a soft, luxurious mouthful and the ideal amount of sweetness without coming on too strong. This makes it perfect as an ingredient in the delicious spring cocktail, Bee’s Knees, which makes use of honey and fresh lemon juice.
Cons
- Some people who have purchased this gin have reported that it has a pine aroma which feels at odds with how the gin tastes.
Gin FAQ
If you’re starting out in the world of gin, it’s clear to see after reading our reviews of the best gins that they all offer unique and memorable flavors.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at gin and what it has to offer, as well as if it’s true that it’s the healthiest alcohol to drink.
What is top shelf gin?
The term “top shelf” is not just applied to gin but all types of alcohol. It basically refers to the most expensive brands that are served in bars. Some top shelf gins include the following:
- Hendrick’s. This brand of gin has been credited for how gin has been gaining popularity recently. It’s commonly found in most bars and gin lovers tend to rave about it. Part of the reason for its popularity? This Scottish brand is known for making delicious dry gin that can be enjoyed with a tonic or on its own.
- Monkey 47. It made the number-one spot in our gin reviews, and it’s also a top-shelf gin as it can be found in many pubs and bars. Monkey 47 is considered to be one of the best dry gins currently on the market, thanks in part to its complex and bold personality.
- Plymouth. This gin brand is known as the last real Plymouth-style gin as well as the oldest distillery in England. That, and how it has an earthy, citrus flavor, has made it one of the best gin brands. FYI, the earthy flavor in this gin hails from a recipe that’s 230 years old and makes use of seven botanicals, such as cardamom, orris root, and coriander seed to produce the best gin drinks.
- Bombay Sapphire. This gin has become iconic and has the signature look of its pale blue bottle. It makes use of 10 botanicals, such as almonds, cubeb berries, and licorice root. It’s praised for being an earthy, spicy gin.
- Gordon’s London Dry Gin. This gin first hit the scene in 1769, in the Southwark region of London. Although it’s distilled in different countries, it makes use of the same recipe: this is a gin with a neutral grain base and botanicals that include juniper, angelica root, coriander, orris root, orange peel, lemon peel, and licorice root. Some reasons why this gin is so loved is that it’s readily available – you can find it wherever liquor is sold and it’s also great in mixed drinks.
Is Gin hard on the liver?
Gin has many health benefits, as you’ll see in one of our questions later on. When it comes specifically to gin’s effects on the liver, it is said to be good for liver health.
This is as a result of how it contains juniper berries. These are a diuretic, so they’re useful in the treatment of liver disease, of which common symptoms include abdominal bloating as well as water retention.
When it comes to water retention, juniper berries keep it in check because they aid in the body’s ability to pass water. In fact, gin helps you to pass more water than other types of alcohol do.
This has the added benefit of helping you flush out more harmful toxins and bacteria that you consume with alcohol
However, it’s always worth noting that if alcohol consumption is what contributed to your liver disease, you’ll have to be careful with it. In general, all alcohol consumption should be moderate in order to ensure you reap the benefits of it without adding some unpleasant effects.
What is a good gin for gin and tonic?
Drinking gin with tonic is a popular choice, and there are some gins on the market that are better suited to tonics than others. A great choice is Hendrick’s Gin which is light and has subtle flavors, both of which work well with tonic.
When it comes to choosing the best gin for a G&T, there are some important things to bear in mind.
- For starters, you should use a high-quality gin that offers a good blend of botanicals. When choosing the best gin for your G&T, it helps to go with stronger flavors sometimes. This means that you’ll be able to taste all the flavors of the gin over the tonic. And, avoid tonic that has too much sugar as that will overpower the drink.
- Then, it’s up to you to see what flavors you like! There are a variety of gins on the market that you can use in a G&T. If you like a traditional one, a London dry gin will be good. For a refreshing one, opt for Hendrick’s, while floral lovers will enjoy Aviation in their G&T. On the other hand, if you want a G&T to be full of flavor with a dash of sweetness, opt for Barr Hill’s Old Tom that gives you a burst of flavor in the form of earl grey tea and ginger.
Some tips for drinking a G&T in the best way:
- Add a lot of ice and let it melt. This won’t dilute the flavors, so don’t worry. It will actually help the flavors to blend nicely. This will provide you with a more balanced drink.
- Keep all your ingredients chilled. Loss of carbonation can cause your G&T to be warm and lose bubbles, which is no fun. To prevent that from happening, you should keep your gin cooled in the freezer before serving it and store the tonic in your fridge. It’s also worth keeping your glassware in the fridge or freezer.
- Spend some time getting the best tonic as this will make all the difference in the taste and quality of your G&T. You can find a dazzling range of tonic flavors, from lemon and cucumber to grapefruit. It might be a better idea to start with a plain tonic and then experiment so you can find the G&T flavors you like best.
- Don’t forget the club soda or seltzer. You might think that you have to choose between tonic, club soda, and Setzer, but tonic and soda or seltzer should be used to make G&Ts. This is because a soda or seltzer will decrease how much sweetness there is in the drink. So, try to replace some tonic with it. This will further allow the gin’s flavors to come out.
- Think about adding a garnish. You have lots of options here, from lime and grapefruit to lemon. But, experts warn that you should avoid lime. This is because you won’t usually find lime in a gin or tonic so when you add it to your G&T you will end up with the lime overpowering all the other flavors. When deciding on a garnish, taste your gin and think about flavors that would complement it. Some popular garnishes that go nicely with gin include thyme or rosemary sprigs.
Is Gin the healthiest alcohol?
Earlier, we talked about how gin can be healthier for your liver than other alcohol types, but there are many other health benefits linked to drinking gin.
Most of them are as a result of gin’s juniper berry content, and it’s good to know that juniper is the only botanical that will be found in all gins.
- Juniper berries are healthy superfoods. Gin’s main ingredient is juniper berries, which are considered to be superfoods because they contain many nutrients. Some of the benefits of juniper is that it fights infection and is disinfecting as well as warming to the body.
- Juniper berries are antioxidants. Antioxidants are powerful because of how they fight free radicals. One of the areas in which they shine is skincare. Antioxidants help to increase the regenerating power of skin cells so that your skin can look younger and healthier.
- Gin doesn’t contain many calories. One shot of gin that’s 1.5 ounces will only give 97 calories, so it’s low-calorie alcohol. This is, yet again, thanks to juniper berries. They increase the number of enzymes that break down food and aid in digestion. The bonus? You’ll experience less bloating. However, make sure you avoid drinking gin in sugar-rich tonics to get the benefit of fewer calories.
- Gin is good for coughs and sore throats. If you feel a cold coming on, reach for gin. Again, this is thanks to its juniper berries. They contain oils that eliminate mucus in the throat. By mixing gin with herbs such as ginger, you can also help to soothe your sore throat or cold symptoms.
Despite all of gin’s health benefits, it’s always good to drink any alcohol in moderation. It’s also good to take some of the health benefits associated with gin with a pinch of salt. This is because some of the health benefits are actually myths.
An example of a common belief about gin is that it will improve bone health. It’s been said that soaking raisins in gin before eating them will help to reduce inflammation when experiencing health conditions such as gout and arthritis.
While that sounds interesting and might be worth a try, the truth is that there hasn’t been enough evidence to confirm it as a valid health remedy.
Conclusion
Whether you love gin or you’re keen to try it out for the first time, there’s no doubt that our review of five of the best gins to up your gin game will make drinking gin much more exciting.
From colorful gins to those boasting lots of botanicals, you’re sure to find a unique gin from our list that ticks all the right boxes.
In this article, we’ve also featured some important information you should know about gin, such as when it comes to how healthy it is and what are some of the best top-shelf gins are on the market.
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