World Gin Day 2022 takes place 11 June and it's a celebration of all things, well, gin. It's the day of the year when you polish your posh glass and sample fantastic gin the world has to offer.
To celebrate the day, we've been sampling a whole load of new gin for you to try - most of these aren't yet in our gin guides but are fantastic drinks in their own right and do something a little bit different, and that's what caught our eye and taste buds.
Below are the the gins you should taste on World Gin Day. If you are just looking for more awesome gins to drink then head to the following lists:
- If you are after a great gin to try, then head to our best gin guide
- Our best flavoured gin guide is for those who like a bit of colour to their drink
- Make sure you are matching your gin with the best tonic water around.
- If you are looking for cheaper gin then head to our best supermarket gin list
No.3 Gin Vesper Martini
£29.99
Now, we understand that you may want to make your own gin-based cocktails this World Gin Day but if you fancy a rest from the cocktail shaker, then the No.3 Gin Vesper Martini is a fantastic pre-bottled cocktail. This Vesper Martini has been made in collaboration with legendary head bartender at Dukes Bar in London, Alessandro Palazzi, and uses vodka and vermouth mixed with No.3 gin. Serve this one ice cold - we recommend popping a bottle in the freezer for a few hours before drinking.
Mermaid Zest Gin
This small batch gin is a limited-edition and has a nice refreshing grapefruit flavour with a dollop of juniper. It's a London Dry Gin which uses some really interesting botanicals, including foraged rock samphire and rosemary.
It comes in a fantastic bottle which is sustainable. The label on the neck of the bottle is made from recyclable, biodegradable paper whilst the bottle is also re-usable and recyclable.
Mermaid Zest will be available for £39.90, from John Lewis and Isle of Wight Distillery.
Cotswolds Platinum Jubilee Gin
£35
The bunting may now be in the bin but that doesn't mean that you have to stop celebrating the jubilee - especially when there is gin involved!
Limited to 6000 bottles, the Cotswolds Platinum Jubilee Gin is a superb gin. There are notes of strawberry, vanilla and raspberry and a nice twist of citrus. It's a brilliant summer serve and a nice special way to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Bucks Brothers
£36
We are big fans of the Bucks Brothers Buckinghamshire Dry Gin. Small batch from a copper pot, what you get is passion in every bottle (each one has a hand-written note on it too). Eight botanics make up the taste and it leans nicely with liquorice and citrus, with a nice dollop of blackberry.
Keepr Classic London Dry Gin with British Honey
£32
Yep, you're bloody right we are recommending a gin with honey for World Gin Day. It adds a silkiness to the drink and works really well with the other botanicals on board, including warming vanilla and a zing of citrus. It’s not as sweet as you think, either, with the honey more of a lingering, luscious aftertaste.
Roku Gin
£25
Roku Gin is up there with the very best. Distilled using six Japanese botanicals, there’s a mix of spice and sweetness in every sip - it really is a masterclass of gin making. Okay, so this one isn’t new but if you have yet to try a gin that’s not made in the UK, then this one is an absolute must.
Aval Dor Cornish Gin
£39
We always love a gin that is made from the botanicals that surround the distillery. And that is exactly what is going on with the Aval Dor Cornish Gin. There’s a punchiness of fresh fruit from the drink, with juniper, coriander and a sprinkle of spices added to the mix. This is a really refreshing gin (and a little more viscous than you’d expect) and goes great in a G&T.
Salcombe Gin: Voyager Series - Daring
£75
Dartmoor National Park is the key to Salcombe Gin. The water in the national park is a big ingredient for this fantastic-tasting gin and all made at the distillery. Made from a traditional copper still, the gin uses Macedonian juniper and the Daring Series, which is a collab with Michelin-starred chef Paul Ainsworth uses fragrant fennel, seashore herbs and warming allspice to create a really unique-tasting gin. Mix it with a good Indian tonic and it tastes fantastic. Only 10,000 bottles will be made so this is a very special release.
Bullards Coastal Gin
£38.9
We love Bullards Gin, not just for its drink but how you can get it. There is an eco pouch version you can buy if you already have a bottle which is a brilliant thing to offer. As for the gin - we’ve been supping the Coastal version - which offers up a good dollop of citrus, with a hint of salt. When you add your tonic, there’s a lovely sheen that happens to the drink. Great stuff.
Portobello Road Savoury Gin
£35
If you aren’t sold by the amazing bottle, then the taste will. Made with bags of juniper and citrus, this is a dry gin that also has olive and rosemary in there. We may not be able to get to the med, but put this one in your glass with a tonic water and you are halfway there.
Heather Infused Irish Gin
£32.95
Grace O’Malley is better known for its award-winning Blended Irish Whiskey but last year it has launched a a Heather Infused Irish Gin and we are big fans. 14 botanicals and aromas from the West Coast of Ireland are used to create a distinctive drink that is a real herbal finish.