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12 best gins, taste-tested for the perfect G&Ts, martinis and more
Shaken, stirred or paired with the perfect tonic, these are the best gins to add to your drinks cabinet
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Since the 2010’s, gin has been experiencing a revival and, as a result, there are now thousands on the market with many styles and different generations of gin to choose from. Gin can be distilled with a number of different botanicals including most commonly coriander seed, juniper, orris and angelica root. It is often found with citrus peels and always has juniper, which gives it that classic gin flavour.
There are a lot of gins around, ranging from budget to super premium offerings, meaning that gin as a category is always fun and experimental. Judging quality as well as the base spirit and flavouring, the best gins don’t have too much alcohol and have a good balance of botanicals.
Many whisky makers are creating great gins like Raasay, which uses its distilling knowledge to create flavourful and fresh gins, and it is great to see them use local botanicals to add to the flavours, too. The different base spirits like grapes from Renais and Sake from 135 East, show how gin is evolving and bringing deliciously different aromas.
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The best gins for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Ramsbury single estate gin: £31, Amazon.co.uk
- Budget buy – Malfy rosa gin: £23, Amazon.co.uk
- Best limited edition – Hendrick's grand cabaret gin: £33, Amazon.co.uk
- Best pink gin – Mermaid pink gin: £40, Amazon.co.uk
- Best high-end gin – Palmarae golden gin premier cru: £70, Hendonism.co.uk
How I tested
While gin can be drunk alone, it is often paired with tonic, so each gin was tasted alone, followed by an option to pair with a neutral tonic. All served in the same glass, each gin was served room temperature but there was always ice present to try it cooler. Though the gin was assessed on quality, there is some consideration on the value, so if the gin was a very reasonable price or high price point, this was taken into consideration on the final score, as well as packaging and presentation. You can read more about my in-depth testing process at the end of this guide.
1Ramsbury single estate gin
- Best Gin overall
- ABV 40
- Size 70cl
With a perfect balance of spices and juniper, this is such a smooth gin that has little burn, so no surprise this has won gin of the year.
It’s a well-balanced classic gin packed with botanicals and has a clear, clean flavour. This classic dry gin works well with a mixer or drunk alone, too.
2Malfy rosa gin
- Best Budget gin
- ABV 41%
- Size 70cl
This Italian gin from the Amalfi coast makes a refreshing take on a citrus gin. Citrus in a pomelo, pith slightly sweet, Amalfi lemon way.
Refreshing yet delicate with hints of candied fruits and grapefruit, the rhubarb softens the lemon, making it a sunny gin. It has slightly more citrus than juniper, so gin flavours are secondary but still it is a nice easy drinking gin.
3Hendrick's grand cabaret gin
- Best Limited edition gin
- ABV 43.4%
- Size 70cl
This is packed with fresh sweet berries. A bit different from the classic Hendrick’s, it is lighter on the juniper and angelica, being more centred with blackcurrant and woody herby notes.
This is Hendrick’s quality and combination of botanicals but with a bright and elegant fruity hit, a charming edition from the cabinet of curiosities range by their master distiller Lesley Gracie.
4Mermaid pink gin
- Best Pink gin
- ABV 38%
- Size 70cl
Pink gins have become a staple in the gin category, not only adding a lovely pink hue but good fruit flavours and sweetness.
Made in the Isle of Wight, Mermaid’s pink gin has been distilled with strawberry. This is light and fun, and the strawberry adds a delicious gourmand element, making it a great gin for a fruity cocktail or long drink.
5Palmarae golden gin premier cru
- Best High-end gin
- ABV 44%
- Size 70cl
Palmarae with the chic tall ceramic bottle, this gin had promise and luckily the gin delivers. Made with Moroccan mint, orange blossom, mandarins and dates, it is quite a unique and rich gin. In fact, there’s quite a lot of orange blossom, so perhaps not one for gin purists.
With all the lovely details Palmarae would make a wonderful gift and is great in cocktails.
6Isle of Raasay gin
- Best Classic gin
- ABV 46%
- Size 70cl
Raasay is distilled in the highlands on the Isle of Raasy, where they make the fantastic whisky. This Raasay gin has a beautiful glacial freshness, a minerality and a warming peppery finish.
The balance of the 10 botanicals is enjoyable with orris and liquorice coming through, making it a well-balanced gin with spirit and personality.
7135 East Hyogo dry gin
- Best Gin for cocktails
- ABV 42%
- Size 70cl
Japanese distiller 135 East makes a heavy juniper gin, made from a sake distillate. It’s a little fiery and restrained in botanicals and juniper.
A modern take on gin with some crisp leafy notes, this is great for cocktails and mixing would be a great addition to a Negroni. However, it may be too light for seasoned gin lovers.
8The Botanist Islay dry gin
- Best Coastal gin
- ABV 46%
- Size 70cl
Pure and fresh, a smooth delicious gin that uses 22 foraged botanicals from around the Scottish distillery on Islay.
This gin is quite robust, with some lovely citrus notes, pleasant flavours and a good finish. It does come with a warning though, as this is a high abv at 46 per cent, so this is a very strong gin.
9Renais gin
- Best Gin for gifting
- ABV 40%
- Size 70cl
This stylish bottle houses some interesting gin. Made from grape-based spirit, Renais is quite different. Its rich and weighty, with honey, florals and orange, and though it sounds like it should be sweet, it actually has quite a fresh finish.
Made from discarded grand cru grapes, it is complex yet delicate, making for a very pleasant sipping gin. With its carbon neutral credentials and aesthetic packaging, it would make a lovely gift.
10Fords London dry gin
- Best Gin for a G&T
- ABV 45%
- Size 70cl
Distilled in London, this is a grassy citrus gin that gives a fresh take on the gin category. Smooth with a little kick, this is perfect for a G&T.
Full of fresh herbs, florals and spices, Fords has an interesting mix of ingredients built for mixing including a touch of grapefruit to keep up the freshness and complement tonic.
11Hepple gin
- Best Gin for a martini
- ABV 45%
- Size 70cl
Hepple’s green notes make it a delicious option for a martini. It is interesting and herbaceous. The classic botanicals like angelica take a back seat, so the pine fresh savoury flavours shine.
Hepple was created by world renowned bartender Nick Strangeway with the martini in mind, it’s quite a heavy gin with a viscose body but the freshness and long finish would make a perfect martini.
12Seventy One eau de nuit gin
- Best New discovery gin
- ABV 40%
- Size 70cl
A rich and silky golden gin, this has heady notes of liquorice and tobacco, as well as light citrus and green botanicals like fresh coriander. Reminiscent of whisky, having been finished in oak casks, this is a luxury gin, from the chic heavy glass bottle to the smoothness of the spirit.
This gin would make a great late-night sipper or an extravagant base for long drinks. Hand crafted in the UK with a price point that reflects this, Seventy One is delicious and decadent. One to try as it is unlike any other gins on the market.
Your questions about gin answered
What is the best gin?
The fruit flavours of the Hendrick’s grand cabaret and Malfy shows fruit compliment gin well, making the spirit light-hearted and fun, but quality classic gins are having a revival as they have great balance and purity like Fords and the Botanist gin.
In the end the classic flavours, outstanding smoothness and balance of Ramsbury makes it the best overall gin. The variations and interesting ingredients are fun but when a gin is a good, clean and pure, sometimes that is all that is needed to be the best gin.
How the best gins were selected
When sipping, I tested every bottle the same way and paid close attention to the details using the following criteria:
- Quality: I was looking for gins with a good balance of botanicals and level of alcohol.
- Presentation: Whether you plan to add the gins to your home bar or gift them to friends and relatives, a nice-looking bottle won’t go amiss.
- Value for money: As gin doesn’t often come cheap, I wanted to find out which ones are worth the splurge.
What is gin made from?
Gin is made from a distilled grain spirit with juniper berries.
Does gin go off?
The great thing about gin is it can be stored for years without going off, but it’s recommended to drink it within two years of opening. Even if you tightly reseal it, it’ll likely lose taste and quality if you leave it any longer.
What are the different types of gin?
There are four different types of gin: London dry gin, old tom, Plymouth and navy strength gin.
Is gin gluten-free?
While gin is made from distilled grain spirit, it doesn’t contain gluten peptides and is therefore gluten-free and safe for coeliacs.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lily Thomas is a wine writer and drinks consultant who has previously sampled the best red wines and the best proseccos for IndyBest. Lily is also a judge at international wine tasting competitions, including The Frankfurt Trophy, so she knows what makes a splendid red wine.
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