The resurgence of gin over the last decade has been nothing short of a boon for drinkers. The spirit, first distilled in the 17th century in the Netherlands, is a veritable Swiss army knife for making cocktails. You can drink it straight up in a martini, over ice in a classic Gin & Tonic, layered into a Singapore Sling or featured in a host of other fantastic cocktails that modern mixologists craft these days.
It’s this versatility that has driven sales in the global gin market to all-time highs—it hit almost $15 billion in 2024. This has, in turn, led to an explosion of craft distillers across the globe, turning out some amazing bottles. Distilleries are experimenting with unique botanicals, local ingredients, and innovative techniques, offering a vast array of flavor profiles.
If you are looking for a spirit that perfectly balances delicate flavors with the complexity of darker spirits, look no further; you need a good bottle of gin. Best of all, since most gins don’t undergo extensive aging periods, producers are able to keep their prices affordable. Five fantastic bottles took home the highest awards at the premier international spirits competitions in 2024.
Ukiyo Japanese Yuzu Gin
Even though Ukiyo Gin is only a few years old, no one should ignore the brand. In a market saturated with botanical blends, Ukiyo has distinguished itself from others by following traditional Japanese distilling methods to make their gins. Its foundation is a traditional rice-based shochu spirit that is then redistilled with a careful selection of local botanicals. The shochu base lends a unique smoothness that is the perfect canvas for flavors to pop.
Their Japanese Yuzu Gin took home the Gin of the Year trophy at the 2024 London Spirits Competition. Using yuzu, a highly aromatic citrus fruit sourced from Kagoshima, Japan, as its foundation, the gin bursts with mandarin, grapefruit and spice flavors. It scored 97 out of 100 points at the competition, and the judges had this to say about it: A complex gin with pronounced herbal notes, balanced palate, and long citrus finish. Menthol aroma with bergamot and citrus flavours, refreshing and perfumed.
Tanqueray No. TEN Gin
As one of the world’s oldest gins, it’s over 200 years old; one could expect Tanqueray to be content to rest on its laurels. It was one of the creators of the classic London Dry recipe that still dominates the gin market today. Luckily for gin drinkers, it isn’t. When the brand launched its now famous Tanqueray No. Ten Gin in 2000, it was the first ever super-premium gin to hit the market and set the bar for all the bottles that have followed since.
Well, Tanqueray No. Ten is still setting standards, as evidenced by its Best Gin trophy at the 2024 New York World Spirits Competition. Distilled in small hand-crafted batches by Master Distiller Terry Fraser, it prioritizes the use of fresh citrus fruits, including grapefruit, lime, and orange, setting it apart from gins that rely solely on dried botanicals. This emphasis on fresh citrus creates an exceptionally smooth and aromatic gin with a vibrant and zesty character. The addition of chamomile flowers contributes a subtle floral note, further enhancing its elegance. Here is what the judges had to say about it: A vibrant nose with bright citrus aromas, followed by juniper, fresh grapefruit, lime, and orange, rounded out by delicate floral hints.
Naught Distilling Overproof Gin
Over the last few years, Australia has been racking up impressive hardware at the world’s leading spirits competitions for its blossoming craft distilling industry. At the 2024 International World Spirits Competition, the oldest and largest such event, they landed another when Naught Distilling’s Overproof Gin took home the World’s Best Gin trophy. Based out of Melbourne, the brand has been turning heads since its launch in 2020 with its selection of gins that the distillery labels ‘Playfully Wicked. Distinctly Elegant’.
Their award-winner is a bold and robust expression that caters to those who appreciate intense flavor profiles. As an overproof gin, it boasts a higher alcohol content, which serves to amplify the botanical aromas and flavors. This results in a concentrated and powerful gin that commands attention. The juniper presence is particularly pronounced, providing a classic foundation upon which other botanicals build. Here is what the judges had to say about it: Enticing aromas of vanilla and pepper kick start with a smooth and integrated palate filled with berry fruits with balanced spice, giving complexity and a gentle giant of a length.
Eight Lands Organic Speyside Gin
Here is yet another gin that testifies to its worldwide popularity. Hailing from the Scottish Highlands, an area famous for its bold scotches, Eight Lands Distillery eschews the comfortable path and instead produces gins and vodkas made with organic ingredients sourced from the region and Scottish spring water.
The five-year-old distiller earned a massive feather in their cap by taking home the World’s Best Gin trophy at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for their Organic Speyside Gin. Known as the ‘Oscars’ of the spirits world, landing such an accolade at such an event instantly serves notice that there is a brand worth watching. The gin is made with a unique blend of Speyside botanicals like cowbells and sorrel, contributing to its distinctive flavor profile. Its smooth and elegant character makes it a versatile choice for a variety of gin cocktails, while its unique botanical profile allows it to shine in simple serves.
Citadelle Gin Jardin d’Été
When Cognac producer Maison Ferrand of France decided to launch a gin in 1996, most people scoffed at the idea. Yet here we are, almost three decades later, and Citadelle Gin is thriving. Their bottles have racked up a trophy room of awards. Their latest was the Gin of the Year Trophy from the 2024 Bartender Spirit Awards for their Jardin dÉté, which translates to ‘Summer Garden.’
An approachable gin that is a departure from traditional juniper-heavy gins, it offers a softer and more approachable flavor profile. Using a blend of nineteen different botanicals, its gentle, nuanced flavors are designed to capture the essence of summer. It’s an elegant and approachable gin that the judges obviously loved, as it was awarded 99 out of 100 points and named the Spirit of the Year. Here is what they had to say about it: A subtle start soon turns to a solid botanical flavor profile that finishes bright. Very mixable.
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