Overview: The landscape of gin encompasses three primary categories: distilled gin, redistilled gin, and compound gin. Each category offers distinct production methods ranging from grain mash distillation to vapor infusion and steeping in neutral grain spirit. Leading brands such as Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray define the market with specific botanical profiles that range from traditional juniper-led recipes to modern expressions featuring citrus, floral notes, and regional ingredients.
The Full Story
Gin is characterized by a harmonious symphony of complementary botanicals led by juniper. While many labels mention London, the spirit is produced globally from the U.S. to Mexico to Southeast Asia. Distilleries capture local geography through locally sourced botanicals, often flavoring what would otherwise be neutral grain spirit. The industry distinguishes between old school examples made in the UK and new school examples emerging from other regions.
Under the umbrella of gin, production methods vary significantly. Bombay Sapphire vapor-infuses botanicals like juniper, licorice, and almond into the alcohol. Other expressions include Bombay Sapphire East with Asian botanicals and Premier Cru Murcian Lemon featuring Fino lemon peels from Spain. Tanqueray remains a best-selling London Dry gin combining bright flavors of juniper and citrus in equal proportions. Expressions such as Rangpur highlight Indian lime, while No. TEN features white grapefruit, lime, and orange.
Production & Profile
Technical specifications vary by brand and expression. Beefeater steeped botanicals in neutral grain spirit for 24 hours before distillation, a recipe dating back to the 1860s. Plymouth Gin has been produced at Black Friar’s Distillery since the late 18th Century using juniper, lemon peel, and angelica root. The Navy Strength expression is bottled at 57 percent ABV. Grey Whale Gin uses local botanicals from Northern California with a base corn spirit distilled six times.
Newer expressions introduce unique ingredients. Hendrick’s utilizes cucumber and rose as main botanicals, with the latest Cabinet of Curiosities release featuring floral notes. Monkey 47 is made at a distillery in Germany’s Black Forest from a blend of 47 botanicals, with a Distiller’s Cut adding woodruff sourced from the surrounding forest. Sigil Gin hails from New Mexico, using juniper, pinon, and sage found locally on the land.
Brand & Industry History
Historical context is evident in several flagship expressions. Beefeater dates back to the 1860s when James Burrough began to distill gin in London. Plymouth Gin has been produced at Black Friar’s Distillery since the late 18th Century. Hendrick’s launched in 1999 and has become a success story in the new-school gin movement, with master distiller Lesley Gracie adding new expressions to the portfolio.
What This Means
The world of gin has expanded enormously over the past 20 years as new distilleries tinker with the formula. While old guard brands mostly distill London Dry-style gin in the UK, the category has grown beyond geographical indicators. New Western Gin serves as a catch-all term for newer gins that use juniper as a key ingredient but are flavored with a wide range of botanicals often grown locally to showcase regional flavors.
Consumer Takeaway
Consumers can select from a variety of styles including distilled, redistilled, and compound gin. Each bottle offers a harmonious blend of complementary botanicals suitable for specific cocktails. Whether choosing an old-school London Dry or a new-school expression with local ingredients, the selection allows drinkers to find the one that best suits their preferences for martinis, Negroni, or French 75.
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