Gin is famous as a juniper-focused spirit. It’s often served as a simple gin and tonic, but features in many more complex cocktails as well. One of the exciting features is the botanicals, which provide a complex and fascinating flavor profile and vary from one type of gin to the next.
Cynics might say that gin is simply vodka that’s been flavored with juniper and botanicals. While that claim isn’t wrong, it ignores much of the complexity of gin and how much it can differ between expressions. Indeed, gin is one of the most complex and varied spirits. It deserves further consideration and a place in your liquor cabinet.
We’re not just talking about differences in botanicals from one gin to another. Instead, there are specific types of gin including London dry gin, Plymouth gin, Genever gin, and even Japanese gin. Each of these types has its own distinct flavors and features.
Every gin lover should understand these different types. This way you know what to expect when you buy a bottle of gin. You could even try joining a gin of the month club. This is the perfect way to experiment with gin and start to compare the various gins.
After all, we all love different things. Some may be taken by the juniper-forward nature of London dry gin, while others might look to the creative botanicals found in new western gin or perhaps branch out to Japanese gin.
9 Types Of Gin
At its heart, gin is a colorless spirit with an alcohol content of at least 37.5%. It must use juniper as its principal flavor, while other botanicals can be used to tweak the flavor profile (sometimes dramatically).
Like vodka, gin can be made from many different base materials, including grains, fruit, and potatoes. However, these base materials have minimal impact on the spirit’s flavor. Botancials are responsible for the flavor instead, including juniper and many others.
Alll the gins on this list follow those basic principles, but there are still notable differences between them.
London Dry Gin
London dry gin is the classic gin expression, most famous for its juniper-forward flavor profile, accompanied by citrus and herbal notes. This is a fairly dry type of gin, meaning there isn’t much sweetness.
While all gin must include juniper, few types showcase the botanical as much as London dry gin. So, if you adore juniper, London Dry Gin is a great starting point.
The gin lives up to its name in that it was initially created in London, back in the 19th century. However, being manufactured in London isn’t a requirement for London dry gin – the focus is on quality and production methods instead.
For example, in the European Union, London dry gin can only have 0.1 grams of sweetening agent added after distillation, while no flavorings or colorings are allowed. In the United States, the limit is 0.1 grams of added sugar or coloring per liter of the finished gin.
There are other requirements too, including requirements for the types of botanicals used and when they are added. Collectively, the requirements create a high-quality gin that’s typically clean and crisp, with strong juniper notes.
Popular London Dry Gin Brands: Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater, Tanqueray, and Seagram’s.
Plymouth Gin
Plymouth gin has an interesting history. At one point, the gin could only be legally produced in the town of Plymouth, England. This was achieved through a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) under European Union law.
The PGI has since lapsed and the name Plymouth Gin is trademarked to the Plymouth Gin Distillery. As such, the name is now exclusive to the Plymouth Gin Distilleries. Other companies could produce a similar style of gin – they’d just need to call it something different.
The gin uses root ingredients as botanicals, which give it an earthy tone that helps soften the juniper flavor. This is complemented by citrus to create a well-rounded and delicious gin. The dryness is similar to that of London Dry Gin, although some people say it is a little drier, while others claim that it’s a touch sweeter instead.
Plymouth gin has been produced since 1793 and now comes in a variety of interesting versions. The flavor profile varies somewhat between the styles, as does the alcohol content.
Popular Plymouth Gins: Plymouth Original Gin, Plymouth Gin Navy Strength, Mr King’s 1842 Recipe, and Plymouth Sloe Gin.
Old Tom Gin
Old Tom gin doesn’t have legal requirements in the way that London dry gin does, so there’s more variation between brands. Still, it’s a classic style that relies on the traditional gin botanicals, including juniper, coriander, and citrus. These botanicals make it instantly familiar.
The style can also include barrel aging and some added sugar (licorice root is sometimes used as well). These approaches make the spirit somewhat softer than London dry gin. The sweetness also makes this a more approachable gin – perfect for new gin drinkers.
Old Tom gin has historical significance too, as it is an intermediate style between London dry gin and Genever gin. Old tom gin went out of popularity decades ago, but has started to see a resurgence in interest. As a result, some brands are now producing old tom gin, giving you the chance to try it for yoruself.
This gin is especially good if you’re experimenting with classic gin cocktails. Look for ones that call for Old Tom gin specifically, as these will be designed for the sweetness of the gin. A Tom Collins or martinez cocktail is a great place to begin.
Popular Old Tom Gins: Hayman’s Old Tom Gin and Boatyard Old Tom Gin.
Genever Gin
This style is sometimes called Genever gin and sometimes called Holland gin. Either way, it’s a historic style that’s considered the precursor to modern gin.
As a precursor, Genever gin shares some features with modern gin, while also being quite distinct. Notably, the juniper flavor is subtler than normal, while there are distinct malty notes that are more common in whiskey than in gin. Some versions of Genever gin are even aged in oak barrels, making the flavor even more similar to whiskey.
The combination of malty notes and less pronounced juniper flavor make this a very distinct type of gin. It’s so unusual that you could consider it an entirely different type
Popular Genever Gins: Boomsma Old Genever (multiple expressions that have been aged differently), Bols Genever Original, and Bols Genever Barrel Aged.
Dry Gin
Dry gin is a broad category that focuses on gins with minimal sweetness and a juniper-forward flavor profile. The style isn’t as restrictive as London dry gin, allowing distillers to experiment with botanicals to create complex flavor profiles.
This gin is fantastic if you like the dryness of London dry gin, but would prefer the juniper to dominate less. The flexibility of the style means that flavor profiles can differ considerably from one product to the next.
Some of the styles we’ve already talked about fall into the dry gin category, like London dry gin and Plymouth gin. For other styles, like Japanese gin, some expressions may be dry while others may not be.
Popular Dry Gins: Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin, Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, and The Botanist Islay Dry Gin.
Japanese Gin
Japan is a fairly new entry to the gin world and has some unique products to offer. The gin stands out for the interesting botanicals that are used, including yuzu, green tea, sakura (cherry blossom), and sansho pepper. These botanicals provide flavors that aren’t often found in western gins.
Japanese gin tends to be subtler and lighter than other styles, often with a focus on floral and citrus flavors. Of course, the specific botanicals chosen vary between distillers, with some including regional ingredients in the mix.
Popular Japanese Gins: Roku Gin, Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin, and Etsu Gin.
Navy Strength Gin
Gin is typically distilled at a high percentage and then diluted, so that it’s bottled at around 37.5% or 40% ABV. Navy strength gin is a delightful exception, as it’s bottled at 57% or even higher (the exact strength varies between countries).
The high alcohol content means that if navy proof rum were spilled on gunpowder, the gunpowder would still light. Historically, this feature could be used as a way to test the quality of the gin and ensure it was the real deal.
It isn’t just the alcohol content that makes navy strength gin special. The limited dilution is relevant too, as this gives navy strength gin a more robust flavor profile. The flavor is strong enough to stand out even in bold and complex cocktails, like the Singapore Sling.
You can use navy strength gin in any cocktail that calls for gin, but the higher proof and stronger flavor will impact the cocktail. As a result, you’ll need to experiment to find which cocktails and ingredient ratios work well for you.
Popular Navy Strength Gins: Edinburgh Gin Cannonball, Plymouth Gin Navy Strength, and Hayman’s Royal Dock Gin.
Aged Gin
Like vodka, gin is traditionally bottled straight after distillation. However, some brands are now experimenting with barrel aged gin – a style that is sometimes called reserve gin.
The barrel aging process adds extra flavors to the gin, including notes of caramel, spice, and vanilla, while mellowing some of the juniper notes. The flavor profile varies depending on the barrel type and the aging duration, but the gin is always complex with warming flavors.
Aging gin also changes its color, giving the gin a light golden color that’s much like whiskey. The intensity of the effect also varies based on the length of aging.
Aged gin is more expensive and rarer than regular gin, making it a luxury to be savored. The price is partly because the aging process requires extra time and equipment. Plus, companies that age their gin generally work hard to create the best possible product.
Popular Aged Gins: The Botanist Cask Aged Gin, Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat Gin, and Dancing Sands Barrel Aged Gin.
New Western/Modern Gin
This category of gin goes by many names, including contemporary, new American, new western, and American dry. While such names imply American gin companies, there are many others in the game.
These gins vary dramatically from each other, as the style has no legal definition. Indeed, the only feature in common between these gins is creativity. The companies normally try to branch away from the classic London dry gin style, often by relying on unusual botanicals. There may be additives too or other unexpected ingredients.
New western gins can be engaging and often unexpected. They’re great for expanding your horizons. Plus, most companies provide details about the botanicals and expected flavors, giving you some sense of what to expect.
Some companies in this category avoid labels like new western and modern entirely. For example, Hendrick’s Gin doesn’t describe their gin as any particular type. Instead, the unique products are labeled based on theme, including Amazonia Gin, Midsummer Solstice, Lunar, and Orbium.
Basically… if a gin doesn’t fall into one of the previous categories, it can be considered a new western gin.
Popular Modern Gins: Hendrick’s Gin, Gray Whale Gin, Barr Hill Gin, and Empress Gin.
Gin Variations
Pink Gin
The term pink gin historically referred to a cocktail made using gin and a dash of red bitters. Here, the bitters created a pink color, while also tweaking the drink’s flavor profile. Plymouth gin was most often used, as this is sweeter than other types of gin.
These days, pink gin also refers to gin that has been infused with fruit or flavoring ingredients. For example, Beefeater London offers a pink strawberry gin, which is made using gin, sugar, natural flavors (including strawberry flavoring), and red coloring.
Flavored Gin
Pink gin is just one of many types of flavored gin. You can find plenty of other types in stores, like Bombay Sapphire Bramble Gin and Isolation Proof Winter Gin. Such products often use a combination of fruit, herbs, and/or spices for flavor. There may also be some natural flavors and colors to make the gin stand out.
Many products still have a similar ABV to regular gin and can be used in most of the same cocktails. However, you’ll need to experiment a little, as the flavor profiles and intensities can vary considerably.
Sloe Gin
Despite the name, sloe gin isn’t really gin at all. It’s a gin-based liqueur instead, made using gin and blackthorn fruit. The use of blackthorn fruit (sloes) and sugar makes the spirit sweeter than regular gin and also lowers the ABV. In fact, the ABV of sloe gin is often around 15% to 25%, compared to gin which is closer to 40%.
The flavor of sloe gin is markedly different as well. It tends to be sweeter and milder than regular gin, with plenty of berry flavors and just a little tartness. This makes it excellent if you find gin itself a little too intense.
Sloe gin is an interesting case, as regulations from the European Union have an exception that allow the drink to be called sloe gin. Any other type of gin liqueur must legally use the term liqueur as part of the name.
Non Alcoholic Gin
Finally, it’s worth talking about non alcoholic gin. This is designed to mimic the flavor nuances of gin without actually containing any alcohol.
Many companies do this by starting with regular gin and using reverse distillation, which removes most of the alcohol, leaving no more than 0.5%.
Some companies take a different approach and avoid using alcohol entirely. Some stick close to the traditional flavor profile of gin, while others experiment with other botanicals and ingredients.
However, despite best attempts, alcohol free gin never tastes exactly like the real thing. Because of this, it’s best used as an ingredient in shaken cocktails rather than consumed neat or in simple stirred cocktails.
What To Serve With Sloppy Joes