Looking for unusual gins to try? We already have an expert guide to the UK’s best gins here, but there’s also plenty to explore beyond Britain. Want to try a European gin? We’ve got you covered – from a German spirit crafted in the Black Forest to a herbaceous bottle from Spain and a Slovenian gin made using local botanicals. We’ve also gone further afield and scoured the globe to sniff out exotic juniper-led spirits – with gins from South Africa, Japan, Argentina and beyond…
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Here’s our pick of the world’s best gins
Gin Mare, Spain, £40.07/70cl, Amazon
With rosemary, thyme, olive and basil included in the botanical line up, this savoury, herbaceous Spanish number evokes Mediterranean summer like no other gin. Drink in a copa de balon glass with plenty of ice for ultimate holiday vibes.
Flavour profile: herbaceous
Botanicals: rosemary, thyme, olive, basil, orange, lemon, coriander, juniper and cardamom
Perfect pairing: Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic water, a sprig of rosemary and a slice of fresh orange
Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin, Japan, £44.99/70cl, Amazon
Meaning ‘the beauty of the seasons’, this Japanese creation is made using a rice spirit base distilled with regional botanicals including yuzu, hinoki wood chips (Japanese cyprus), sansho pepper and gyokuro green tea. A decidedly elegant gin, whose classic juniper notes match well with the unusual local ingredients.
Flavour profile: floral
Botanicals: yuzu, hinoki wood chips, orris, lemon, ginger, red shiso leaves, bamboo leaves, sansho pepper and gyokuro green tea
Perfect pairing: tonic water and yuzu peel, or as a ‘sonic’ with a mixture of soda and tonic
Príncipe de los Apóstoles Gin, Argentina, £36.43/70cl, Master of Malt
The botanicals in this unusual gin include eucalyptus, peppermint and yerba mate leaves (an evergreen tree used to make a popular South American tea). The end result is a boldly flavoured spirit, with refreshing but not overwhelming menthol notes and a sprightly herbaceous character. Try if you prefer less juniper-forward gins.
Flavour profile: herbaceous
Botanicals: yerba mate leaves, eucalyptus, peppermint, grapefruit, juniper and coriander seeds
Perfect pairing: tonic water and a sprig of mint
Napue Gin, Finland, £34.95/50cl, Amazon
Made using rye grain spirit and locally foraged botanicals including cranberries, sea buckthorn and birch leaves, this crisp, refreshing gin from Kyrö Distillery Company is designed to evoke a Finnish meadow in flavour and fragrance. Take on your next camping trip.
Flavour profile: herbaceous
Botanicals: sea buckthorn, cranberries, birch leaves, meadowsweet, citrus, cumin and juniper
Perfect pairing: tonic water, a sprig of rosemary and fresh or dried cranberries
VII Hills Italian Dry Gin, Italy, £34.99/70cl, Amazon
Expect headily herbal, almost vegetal aromas and subtle citrus flavours from this unconventional Italian gin, which its makers claim is the perfect gin for a negroni.
Flavour profile: herbal
Botanicals: artichoke, celery, blood orange, chamomile, rose hip, pomegranate and juniper
Perfect pairing: a negroni – but try swapping the Campari for another Italian aperitif, the artichoke-based Cynar.
Broken Bones London Dry Gin, Slovenia, £34.99, Whisky Exchange
This London dry gin is distilled with juniper and other botanicals from Slovenia’s Karst region to create an appealing medley of floral, citrus and spice notes.
Flavour profile: juniper
Botanicals: linden flowers, rosehip, coriander, cardamom, angelica, liquorice, orris, lemon zest and juniper
Perfect pairing: tonic water and a twist of lemon peel
Monkey 47, Germany, £32.75/50cl, Amazon
Using an impressive 47 botanicals (hence the name), this critically acclaimed gin is made in Germany’s Black Forest. Rich and seriously complex, this is a full-on number with robust herb and spice notes.
Flavour profile: spiced/herbaceous
Botanicals: cranberries, lingonberries, spruce shoots, bramble leaves, sage, verbena and chamomile, amongst others
Perfect pairing: tonic water and cranberries
Stranger & Sons Gin, India, £34.95/70cl, Master of Malt
The debut gin from the Goan Third Eye Distillery – using spices foraged or cultivated along the Goan and Keralan coasts – this has a lovely, warming spice character, with pepper, nutmeg and liquorice notes. An ideal gin for winter.
Flavour profile: spiced
Botanicals: coriander seeds, black pepper, angelica, liquorice, cassia bark, nutmeg, mace, Gondhoraj lime, Indian bergamot, Nagpur orange and juniper
Perfect pairing: a Gibson martini with dry vermouth and a pickled onion garnish
Pienaar and Son Orient Gin, South Africa, £42.95/70cl, Whisky Exchange
Made using South African maize spirit, the botanicals in this Cape Town gin pay tribute to the Far-Eastern spice trade that shaped the city. We loved the delicately aromatic, almost floral spice aromas in this well-balanced gin.
Flavour profile: spiced
Botanicals: Cassia, ginger, allspice, mandarin and vanilla
Perfect pairing:
Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, Australia, £38/70cl, Amazon
This Australian gin is made in the Yarra Valley and combines native botanicals (Tasmanian pepperberry and lemon myrtle) with spices and whole oranges. Expect juniper and other traditional gin flavourings, but the regional twists add depth and interest to this antipodean spirit.
Flavour profile: citrus/spiced
Botanicals: Tasmanian pepperberry, lemon myrtle, star anise, cardamom, coriander seeds, lavender, angelica root and oranges
Perfect pairing: tonic water and a wedge of orange
Perry’s Tot Navy Strength Gin, USA, £48/70cl, Master of Malt
New York Distilling Co uses wild-flower honey from upstate New York in this juniper-forward gin, which is characterised by warming spice and earthy orange notes. One for those who like the higher-proof styles.
Flavour profile: juniper
Botanicals: juniper, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon, orange and grapefruit peel, star anise and wild-flower honey
Perfect pairing: sparkling water and a wedge of lime
