How Many Types of Gin Are There? 

August 30, 2022

We’re the gin spirit aficionados! Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the seemingly endless amount of gin spirits available? Do you have difficulty navigating the vast selection of gins? Do you want to know how many types of gin there are? Do you want to know the best gin available? 

You’re in the right place if you love to drink gin and want to learn more about this delicious spirit. Don't forget to check out our wonderful range of gin gift sets if you're looking for that perfect gin gift.

Classics

Let’s start with the classics. These are the quintessential gins that are renowned all over the world. When you think of gin, this is what you’re thinking of! 

Compatriot London Dry Gin

London dry gins are infused with botanical flavours through the process of re-distillation. London dry gin is so renowned because there are no artificial flavours or ingredients. The most active herbal ingredient is juniper berries. juniper berries are a predominant flavour in dry gin. In fact, gin is essentially juniper flavoured vodka! without juniper it would just be any old neutral grain spirit.  

Bombay Sapphire is perhaps the most well known London dry gin. Contrary to popular opinion, London gin does not actually have to be made in London! However, Bombay Sapphire is still made  in Hampshire, just outside of London! 

Plymouth Gin 

Plymouth gin is another very popular gin. It has been made in Plymouth, Devon since 1793! There is only one distillery that makes Plymouth Gin. Anything else that claims to be Plymouth Gin (that isn’t made in Devon) is a hoax! 

Plymouth gin is made with seven botanicals and herbs. The blend of juniper berries, sweet angelica root, lemon peel, cardamom pods, sweet orange peel, coriander seed, and orris root, give it a unique, delicious taste. Plymouth gin has a fantastic earthy note combined with a hint of sweetness. 

Navy Strength Gin

Navy Strength gin is classified as such when it is above 57% ABV. Essentially, it is a very strong gin. Navy Strength gin dates back to the 18th century when the British Royal Navy stored their distilled spirit underneath the ship’s deck next to the gunpowder. Navy Strength gin no longer uses these practices, we’re not in the middle ages after-all! 

The distillation process is very similar to other gin types. Juniper, cardamon, and coriander are all main ingredients in Navy Strength gin. It may taste the same as other classic gins on this list, but it’s definitely a whole lot stronger. If you’re looking for an easy drinking gin with a sweetened style and strong citrus notes, in addition to a high alcohol volume, this one's for you.

Old Tom Gin 

Old Tom gin, Hayman’s is not exactly a modern spirit. It’s actually one of the rarest and least popular gins on this list! Old Tom gin originally was made in 18th century England, but it has since gone out of favour. Old Tom is a distilled gin that is very sweet without any botanical flavours to balance it out. It’s an intense, acquired taste! In the craft cocktail world, Old Tom is slowly making a comeback. Watch this space! 

Dutch Gin

Dutch gin, also known as Jenever, is a traditional drink in Holland or particular regions around the Netherlands. Dutch gin was originally made by distilling malt wine until the alcohol content rose above 50%. In Holland, Jenever is usually served straight along with a beer chaser. Outside of Holland, Jenever is not overly popular. People tend to gravitate towards dry compound gin.  

Bathtub Gin

Bathtub gin is homemade gin made without special equipment. It’s not always made in a bathtub, however, many amateurs use the large bathtub to distil spirits. It is generally made from alcohol, water, and essential oils. Bathtub gin first appeared in the prohibition era United States. People became very thrifty when searching for their alcoholic fix. Now, bathtub gin (along with other forms of moonshine) is not consumed very much as people can easily purchase high-quality spirits. 

New Western Dry Gin

New western dry gin is a subset of modern gin that developed in the early 2000s. These brands attempted to distance themselves from juniper-dominated spirits. The movement began in the United States but eventually spread internationally. Gins like Hendricks and Tanqueray 10 are considered new western dry gins. Without relying on juniper, these gins tend to have a deeper flavour and are far more experimental. 

Botanical Ingredients

These are the main botanical ingredients used in gin. Different types of gin use different quantities of botanicals, in turn, changing the flavour profile of neutral grain spirits. For example, malted barley is used in Loch & Union Barley Gin to create a lightly aromatic gin. 

Read on to find out the main herbs, flavours, and scents used in gin… 

Angelica Root 

Angelica root is traditional herbal medicine. The root contains chemicals that are rumoured to kill cancer, reduce symptoms of anxiety, and relieve stomach pain. When added to gin, angelica root adds an earthy, sweet, bitter taste. 

Arris Root 

Arris root is commonly used as a blood purifier for infections. It is also a common infusion in gin. It has a semi-sweet, herbal, floral aroma that makes for a unique and tasty drop. 

Juniper Berry 

Juniper notes distinguish gin from vodka. Different brands may increase or reduce the amount of juniper depending on their desired result. Regardless, juniper is absolutely essential to a good gin. Remember, it’s only called gin after vodka has been distilled with juniper! 

Coriander Seeds 

Coriander seeds have a lemony flavour and a floral aroma. This makes them perfect for gin distillation in wooden barrels. The resulting gin tastes a little like orange with a hint of lemon zest, accompanied by spicy and floral notes. 

Licorice Root

Licorice root is the plant that produces herbaceous and aromatic liquorice flavouring. Licorice adds an interesting depth of flavour to gin. It is particularly nice paired with citrus, dried herbs, and floral fragrances. Licorice is also used by distillers to create an oily texture which changes the mouthfeel 

Pine Flavour 

Unsurprisingly, pine flavour derived botanicals create a earthy and woody flavour in the gin. Pine is a great addition to savoury gins that also use evergreen and juniper.  

Citrus 

Most gins contain citrus notes. Citrus adds a fresh, zesty, flavourful component to gin. If your gin only has a slightly citrusy character, chances are there won’t actually be any citrus added to the gin, it’s just the coriander seeds! 

Dried Herbs 

Cardamon, coriander, rosemary, and mint, amongst other herbs, are popular gin botanicals. Depending on the distiller, there will be a combination of any of the herbs listed above. If you're drinking a new western dry gin, it’s likely there will be a surprisingly unique selection of flavours. 

What to Serve With Gin

Orange Peel

Fresh orange peel is a sweeter, less sour alternative to lemon or lime. Try it in your next G&T for a summery, fresh feeling. Or if you're feeling adventurous, make a Negroni with orange peel, sweet vermouth, and gin. 

Grapefruit Peel 

Grapefruit and rosemary are a fantastic way to make your G&T more exciting. The grapefruit and rosemary combination is the perfect mixture of tartness, sweetness, and freshness. Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed! 

Grapefruit peel goes really well with our pink gin hamper!

Lemon or Lime Wedge 

The old faithful! A lemon or lime wedge adds a no-frills, all-flavour citrus kick to your gin and tonic. It’s a classic for a reason! Lemon and lime pair really well with 

Classic Gin Cocktail 

Tom Collins 

Tom Collins is one of the world’s favourite mixed drinks. It’s made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. Tom Collins is one of the many pre prohibition cocktails that skyrocketed to popularity in the 1920s due to its cheap and easy ingredients. This refreshing and fizzy drink continues to be well loved. 

Ramos Gin Fizz

Making rich cocktails doesn’t always have to be difficult. The Ramos Gin Fizz is eloquent, sweet, frothy, and very rich. It tastes just like a lemon meringue pie! It certainly sounds opulent, but it’s actually very easy to make.

Simply combine gin, fizzy water, sugar, heavy cream, and egg white to a cocktail shaker. Shake briskly for a couple of minutes. And there you have it! A boozy dessert cocktail. Yum! 

For more on the history of gin check out our blog post for a full run down!

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