As British gin continues to take over the world, with three out of every four bottles imported around the world hailing from UK distilleries, here are a few underrated gins that we’ve been enjoying recently to expand your horizon this year in an increasingly chockfull market that has been dominated by the usual suspects like Hendricks and Tanqueray for too long now.
The following list of gins includes a familiar face to the usual G&T drinker but probably not quite like you know them. It’s often worth checking out alternative product lines of a popular gin, such as Tanqueray’s more sweeter and citrusy No.10 bottle, as there’ll probably be new types that you might just really like.
So, without further ado, here are the top three most underrated gins for you to try in 2018. if you have any recommendations then do let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear them!
3. Star of Bombay Gin »
At only a few years old, having disrupted the market back in 2015, Bombay Sapphire’s exceptionally smooth and deeply tasteful gin is more of a craft gin than it’s popular London dry older brother. With two additional botanicals adding a rich new dimension to the original recipe, ambrette seeds that were solely sourced from Ecuador and gently dried bergamot orange peel that was hand-picked in Calabria, are the chosen ones.
Bombay Sapphire’s rather unique Vapour Infusion distillation process has been slowed down for their latest offering by increasing levels of extraction from the botanical oils that build rich aromas and intense flavours. “The entire method of distilling Star of Bombay is very much a craft process” explains Master Distiller Nik Fordham; he continues: “It requires more hands-on control and monitoring to create a gin of extraordinary complexity and character similar to an aged spirit.
A bolder expression of our signature style; with two additional botanicals, carefully selected then slowly distilled for a more intense flavour – Bombay Sapphire.
The Star of Bombay gin by Bombay Sapphire is really smooth to drink, so much so, it’s quite the pleasure neat or on the rocks which is an unusual way for a gin to be enjoyed. For those who are looking for an alternative way of drinking Star of Bombay on the rocks, a signature serve has been created by the brand: The Intense Gin and Tonic – made with 1 part Star of Bombay and 1 part tonic water, finished with orange peel to complete the flavouring.
2. The Botanist Islay Dry Gin »
In second place, a previous winner of the coveted Spirit of The Year (2014) by The Whisky Exchange, The Botanist Islay Dry Gin is a wholly underrated and excitingly unusual drink. A typically floral gin, with nearly three-quarters of the botanicals being native to the Southern Hebridean island itself, we’ve really enjoyed pairing this with Fever-Tree’s Elderflower Tonic and finishing with a garnishing of lemon thyme.
For those of you interested in tasting notes of The Botanist’s Islay Dry Gin; on the nose it’s floral and herbal with juniper and citrus, on the palate it continues to be floral and herbaceous with a gentle spice and zesty citrus, and to finish, it’s clean and dry with juniper and warm spice.
The Botanist’s Islay Dry Gin is a wonderfully complex gin and proves that the Hebridean Islands aren’t just about Scotch Whisky. As complex as it is, there’s still a great balance that once tasted will certainly hold true to a classic gin lover’s new favourite – even if it’s a little out of their comfort zone. This is a very well crafted gin with carefully sourced botanicals and a lot of care and attention going into it. The Botanist Islay Dry Gin is more than just a gin with a ton of botanicals thrown in for good measure; it’s a well crafted and constructed gin that showcases the power of teamwork.
1. City of London Square Mile Gin »
Our top pick in the roundup of the three most underrated gins to drink in 2018 is City of London’s Square Mile Gin! A global double award-winning beverage, so says the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), the herbaceous and complex gin happens to be the smoothest offering from the distillery even with a higher proof of 47.3% ABV.
This gin has been developed alongside the careful guidance of legendary Thames Distillery distiller Charles Maxwell. With juniper, coriander seed, orris root and angelica accentuated by lemon, orange and grapefruit amongst others. This is a really special gin and one of the most underrated we’ve found. In our opinion, Square Mile Gin is a Martini gin through and through and for those who like a Dry Martini served with an olive, then look no further.
That concludes our roundup of the top three most underrated gins for you to drink in 2018. Thanks for reading! Hopefully there was a gin that you haven’t tried yet and will be doing so soon. It’d be great to hear your recommendations of other underrated gins so we can add to the list.
