2022 Holiday Gift Guide
Gin and Joy: The Best Gifts for Gin Lovers this Holiday Season
Greg Horton, ReserveBar Spirits Contributor
The popularity of gin continues to soar worldwide. The once, and still occasionally, maligned spirit now boasts approximately 6,000 brands worldwide, according to Forbes. While it’s not as divisive as the acquired taste of a smoky mezcal or peated scotch, gin struggled for decades to shed the notion that it’s just vodka with botanicals. In fact, as the gin lover in your life can confirm, it’s a beautiful, aromatic, complex, and approachable spirit that works well neat or in a cocktail.
The explosion in brands is largely due to its production in worldwide regions not traditionally known for gin production. From African nations to Japan and Argentina to the Philippines, gin distillers are flocking to this descendant of genever. Originally distilled as a medicinal compound in The Netherlands, genever started with distilled malted wine, then added botanicals to the process. When the British adopted the beverage, they lost the malted wine and added more juniper berries. The earliest definition of gin was British, and the verbiage included the requirement that gin tastes predominantly like juniper and that it be a distillate of grains like wheat or barley.
Juniper berries have been the distinctive flavor in gin since the beginning. However, the new wave of craft distilleries is less beholden to tradition, so modern gins feature flavor profiles from every section of the flavor wheel: floral, fruity, spicy, nutty, herbaceous, mineral, and more. Technically, juniper berries still have to be one of the botanicals, but very few countries actually legislate this, so that battle is left to the purists.
Two of the earliest styles to emerge were London Dry and Old Tom. They have been joined by Navy Strength, Barrel Aged, Plymouth, and New Western. Some lists still include genever, but it’s really more of a parent than a sibling. Since it’s now the time of year to start thinking about gift giving, we’ve compiled a list of styles that would be ideal as gifts for gin drinkers.
London Dry
London Dry is what we think of when we think of options for a gin cocktail. It includes iconic brands like Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray, and the rules are pretty straightforward. The style consists of neutral grain spirit and natural botanicals, especially juniper berries. No additives or artificial flavors are permitted, and the name is not limited geographically; any distillery anywhere can produce the style.A relative newcomer to this category is No. 3 Gin from Holland. It’s such an excellent example of the style that it has won the Best in Class trophy at the International Spirits Challenge four times. Fords Gin, also from England, has a blend of nine botanicals with a solid backbone of juniper and coriander, leading to a slightly more complex riff on the style. The Botanist relies on wild foraged botanicals from Islay, making it one of the most interesting sipping gins in the world. Gins in this category make excellent martinis and gin and tonics.
Plymouth Gin
Named for the distillery in Plymouth, England, this style is a drier, heftier style, featuring more citrus notes and more earthy notes. The only remaining distillery in Plymouth is the eponymous Plymouth Distillery, which still produces gin in this style.Old Tom
Old Tom is a style that emerged in England and features a blend of sweeter botanicals and occasionally even added sugar. The style is not nearly as popular as London Dry, but it does make an interesting bridge to introduce cocktail fans to gin who are otherwise unsure of the juniper emphasis. Both Greenhook Ginsmiths and Aviation make excellent versions of this style.
Navy Strength
The story is in the name. The alcohol content must be 57 percent by volume or higher to qualify. The name dates back to the 18th century when British Navy vessels needed an ABV that would not affect the flammability of gunpowder if a cask leaked or ruptured. Turns out that 57 percent is the threshold. Conniption Gin produces this style, and because of its more complex flavor notes, it makes an excellent gin cocktail. Especially one that relies on layers of flavors, like a dry martini. It also adds lovely layers to a Negroni.New Western
New Western gins as a category have seen the most growth in the U.S., driven by craft distillers who experiment with native botanicals. High Goal Gin from South Carolina is the perfect introduction to this category, with its use of local mint and citrus, which creates a uniquely American flavor profile. Greenhook Ginsmiths also crafts an excellent sipper in this category.Give the Gift of Gin
In addition to gins in these styles, ReserveBar has an excellent selection of gin gift sets, including Aviation Gin, Barr Hill, and Gray Whale. KOVAL has a beautiful boxed gin set set for gin enthusiasts with a flight of gins that are sure to please any palate. For the serious gin enthusiast, Nolet’s has a stunning reserve gin that is meant to be sipped and savored.Looking for even more gins to gift this holiday season? Check out our Gin Collection!
