Our Ultimate Guide to Gin Tasting

May 22, 2021

Here at the Awesome Hamper Company, we know a thing or two about what makes a good gin. From notes of citrus and juniper through to floral or spicy kicks, there is an incredibly wide range of gin varieties so it’s important to know your stuff when it comes to creating the perfect G&T or cocktail. The team at the Awesome Hamper Company always goes the extra mile to discover perfect pairings of gins and mixers, and as a result our range of gin hampers and gin gift sets contain some of the best bottles available on the market. But how do you go about discovering the perfect gin to suit your tastes?

In our latest blog post we’ll be taking you through a step by step guide to discover the ultimate gin - and if it gets your taste buds tingling for that refreshing fizz, you can check out our full range of gin gift sets and gin boxes which are bound to satisfy any gin-lover’s craving!

Step 1 - know the notes

When we talk about notes, we’re not referring to musical notes… we’re talking about the specific fragrant notes of different gins which help create their distinctive flavours.

You may be surprised to know that there are many different types of gins, each with its own fragrant note. We break these down into six specific categories:

Citrus
Herbal
Juniper
Floral
Spice
Fruit

As you can imagine, this array of notes each has a unique taste and you may find that you are more drawn to one over another. We find that citrus, fruit or floral gins work particularly well with an elderflower tonic on a warm summer’s day, whilst a gin with notes of spice is much better suited to sitting round an open fire during the colder months.

But of course, it's up to you what note you prefer, and you can try all different flavours in our gin gift sets.

Step 2 - choose your mixer

Traditionally, gin is mixed with a tonic. But we recommend that you mix it up…. Get it?!

One of our personal favourites is gin and ginger beer. We love the tingly sensation of the fizzy ginger beer combined with our favourite bottle of gin. Poured over a tall glass filled with ice and a slice of lime, there simply isn’t anything better.

If you like citrus, why not add a dash of bitter lemon to your gin? Or for some added luxury, prosecco paired with gin is a great combination!

Our gin hampers contain a range of different mixers to try, so why not get creative?

Step 3 - it's all about the glass

There is no better way to enjoy a gin than in a traditional gin glass. But don’t just take our word for it… the large bowl shape of a gin glass is scientifically proven to make your drink taste better! In fact, it’s specifically designed to enhance the aromas of the gin.

Step 4 - get sipping!

So you’ve picked your gin, your mixer and you’ve got your glass complete with garnish. Now is the time to get tasting

The best way to taste your gin is to swirl it around in the glass before you take the first swig. This will help mix the different aromas and oils within the gin and will create a beautiful, herbally scent. Take a deep breath in and enjoy the different smells.

Next, take a small sip of the gin and let it coat your tongue before you swallow. Can you taste the different aromas?

It's usually a good idea to keep score of the gin you're tasting so that you can easily refer to what flavour was your favourite and have a record for the next time you want to buy a new bottle.

Check out the Awesome Hamper Company’s full range of gin hampers and gin tasting sets by clicking on the link below. Happy gin tasting!