Choosing the “best gin” is not an easy task. Each bespoke blend of botanicals has its own unique character. But because of its singular place in the world of gin, Plymouth stands out from the crowd. “To me, it’s the perfect gin,” says Erickson.
Having been distilled at the same site since 1793, Plymouth gin is almost its own sub-category of the spirit. “It’s a little bit softer and less juniper-forward,” Belanger says. “I use it most often in stirred cocktails.” The sweeter profile is balanced by earthiness and spice, and while the juniper is still very present, it’s not as aggressive as some other styles of gin.
If you’ve ever ordered a gin-based cocktail at a bar, chances are it was made with Beefeater. “When I go for a London dry gin, this is the one I think of first,” Erickson says. London dry doesn’t mean the gin is made in London, though that is where Beefeater is distilled. It’s a style of gin where the botanicals are distilled with the spirit.
Beefeater is a staple behind the bar because of its bold and clean juniper-forward profile. And it’s affordable, too. “We use it most for classic cocktails that are shaken,” says Belanger. Beyond its strong juniper flavor, Beefeater also offers notes of citrus and a bit of licorice.
Gin isn’t usually thought of as a luxury spirit the way one thinks of cognac or scotch whisky. Since it’s unaged, gin is much easier to produce and sell at a lower price. However, there are top-shelf gins out there, and Monkey 47 Schwarzwald dry gin is one of the best. It offers a complex and high-end version of the spirit. “It’s unlike any gin I’ve had before,” says Erickson.
Monkey 47 uses 47 different botanicals, many of which are not commonly used in gin, to create a unique melange of flavors. “It’s quite complex, which makes it fun to work with,” Belanger says. “It has a core of herbaceousness with juniper and other Alpine flavors.” The gin is full-flavored, robust, and also versatile for mixing.
The Four Pillars distillery from Australia also produces an excellent line of luxury gin. They’re great high-end products, but for a top-shelf gin, we preferred the uniqueness of Monkey 47. This distillery is highly recommended by Death & Co.’s Belanger.
More than any other spirit, the price of gin doesn’t necessarily correspond with quality. No bottle proves that point better than Gordon’s gin. “Gordon’s gives you that classic London dry style, but it’s noticeably cheaper than Beefeater,” Erickson says. For less than $15, Gordon’s is the perfect well gin for all of your old-school cocktails.
“It’s a fine gin that will make all of your gin-based cocktails beautifully,” says Belanger. In fact, Gordon’s is the gin of choice of James Bond when ordering his signature martini in “Casino Royale.” Along with the juniper, expect notes of coriander and angelica.
The martini is by far the most famous gin-based classic cocktail. Every martini lover has a specific preference for their ideal cocktail, but we recommend the Tanqueray London dry gin for this classic.
“Tanqueray is precise and archetypal,” Belanger says. It has been distilled for nearly 200 years, and it could be argued that it defines the London Dry style as much as Beefeater does. Where other gins often boast a high number of botanicals, Tanqueray only uses four: juniper, licorice, angelica root, and coriander. This simple, yet iconic gin is the perfect choice when mixing a crisp, clean martini.
For a unique take on the dirty martini, the Gin Mare Mediterranean gin uses botanicals like olives, basil, and rosemary to create a rich, savory flavor profile.
There is no more iconic pairing with gin than tonic. “The gin and tonic is quite simple, so there’s more flexibility,” Belanger says. “You might use a gin that has more esoteric botanicals. To take your gin and tonic to the next level, we recommend using the St. George Spirits’ Terroir gin for an intensely piney drink.”
St. George Spirits is known for its unorthodox approach to distillation. They make basil eau de vie and green chile vodka which are both completely singular, and this gin is no different. The Terroir gin uses a mix of botanicals native to California, where the St. George distillery is located. “This gin is like walking through an evergreen forest,” says Erickson. It’s great in any cocktail, but the Douglas fir, fennel, and coastal sage flavors really stand out against the tonic.
Try Bilberry Black Hearts as an alternative to St. George Terroir if you want something more understated. This gin from Journeyman Distillery in Michigan came highly recommended by Anders Erickson.
The Negroni is a cocktail packed with bold flavors and making a perfect one requires a bold gin like The Botanist. “The Botanist is a really complex gin,” says Erickson. “It holds up well to the Campari and vermouth.”
“Its story and flavor are all about the Island where it is produced,” says Belanger. This gin is infused with 22 different botanicals that are local to the Scottish island of Islay. The local botanicals like bog myrtle and mugwort give this gin a distinct, earthy flavor profile that transports the drinker to the Islay seaside. This terroir-based approach has led to a full-flavored, herbaceous gin that’s perfect for mixing.
We also recommend trying Barr Hill Gin from Caledonia Spirits, notable for its honey-forward profile. It works well in bright, floral cocktails and is the perfect gin to use for the prohibition-era classic, the Bee’s Knees.
Japanese distilleries are recognized for their high level of creativity and devotion to craftsmanship. They are best known for their single malt whiskies, but Japanese gins are gaining notoriety. So far, our favorite gin from Japan is the Nikka Coffey gin: “There’s a particularly fun Asian culinary influence in this gin,” says Belanger.
In addition to many traditional gin botanicals, the Nikka distillery also uses Japanese ingredients like yuzu and sansho peppers. “It’s super interesting,” Erickson says. There’s an unexpected bitter citrus note. It’s herbal with a little spice.”
Suntory’s Roku is another stellar example of Japanese gin. It uses six Japanese botanicals plus eight standard gin additions.
Whether they had a bad experience with it in college or don’t like martinis, some people are convinced that they don’t enjoy gin. “Juniper can be a strong flavor for some drinkers,” Erickson says, which steers them away from the spirit. Thankfully, there are some gins that are more inviting, like the Portofino dry gin.
Distilled in Italy, this gin uses botanicals grown in the idyllic seaside town of Portofino. The juniper is still present, but it’s more muted, which allows fresh lemon and rose petals to take center stage. If you’re ready to convert to the world of gin, Portofino gin will make a believer out of you.
