Building on what we’ve learned about Gin in the previous blog What is gin, let’s dive into the diverse types. From Crisp London dry to rich Genever, each style has a unique flavour and aroma profile. Exploring the distinctions among gin types will empower you to select the perfect label for your taste.
London Dry Gin is the world’s most popular gin style, known for its crisp, dry profile and bold juniper-led flavour.
All botanicals must be 100% natural and added only during distillation, with no flavours added afterwards. Ensuring a pure, classic taste.
This strict method creates a clean, sharp, and aromatic gin that defines the traditional gin category.
Famous London Dry Gin Brands:
Tanqueray, Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire.
Plymouth Gin is made exclusively in Plymouth, England. This is a geographically protected gin style known for being earthier, softer, and slightly sweeter than traditional London Dry.
Its richer body and gentle herbal notes give it a smooth, balanced character that stands out not only when enjoyed on its own but also in classic cocktails.
Popular Plymouth Gin Brands:
Plymouth Gin Original, Plymouth Navy Strength, Plymouth Sloe Gin. (Plymouth is the main certified producer.)
Cold Compress Gin is made using a cold-infusion (cold-compound) method; however, botanicals are gently macerated in a neutral spirit without using heat.
This process preserves their fresh, bright, and natural flavours, giving the gin a crisp, aromatic profile crafted with subtle precision.
Popular Cold-Compound Gin Brands:
Bathtub Gin (Ableforth’s). Bluecoat Barrel Finished Compound Gin, Pickering’s Gin (various editions), Sacred Gin (Cold Distilled style).
Types Of Gin – What Is Navy Strength Gin?
Navy Strength Gin is a high-proof gin bottled at around 57% ABV, giving it bold, intense flavours.
Historically served on British naval ships, its strength ensured the gin wasn’t diluted. Even if spilled on gunpowder, it would still ignite, proving its purity. Additionally, this standard was trusted and verified by the British Royal Navy for reliability.
Popular Navy Strength Gin Brands:
Plymouth Navy Strength, Hayman’s Royal Dock, Four Pillars Navy Strength, Fords Officers’ Reserve, Sipsmith VJOP.
Old Tom Gin – This story is interesting. Dating back to the 18th century, when gin shops used a wooden plaque shaped like a cat, known as an Old Tom. Now the trespassers would drop in a coin under the cat’s paw and then receive a shot of Gin. It has a sweeter note than London dry gin, and that’s how the gin got its name.
Popular Old Tom Gin brands – Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, Ransom Old Tom Gin, Langley’s Old Tom Gin.
Genever, also known as Dutch Gin, is the original form of gin from the Netherlands, made from a malted grain base that gives it a warm character, similar to that of whiskey.
Importantly, Juniper and other botanicals add gentle herbal notes, creating a spirit that is smooth, earthy, and subtly sweet.
Popular Genever Brands:
Bols Genever, Rutte Genever, Boomsma Genever, Old Duff Genever.
New Western Gin is a modern style of gin in which juniper notes take a back seat. Consequently, allowing other botanicals, like bright citrus, soft florals, and warm spices, to shine as the main flavours.
Additionally, this contemporary approach creates a more balanced, expressive, and approachable gin, appealing to drinkers who prefer nuanced botanical profiles over strong juniper dominance.
Popular New Western Gin Brands:
Hendrick’s Gin, Monkey 47, Aviation Gin, Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, The Botanist.
What Is Sloe Gin?
Sloe gin is a sweet, fruity gin liqueur made by infusing traditional gin with sloe berries (a wild plum) and sugar.
This infusion moreover gives it a deep red colour, a rich berry flavour, and a naturally sweet finish.
Because it’s technically a liqueur, sloe gin is commonly enjoyed straight, over ice, or in refreshing cocktails like the Sloe Gin Fizz. This is what sloe berries look like.
Popular Sloe Gin Brands:
Hayman’s Sloe Gin, Plymouth Sloe Gin, Sipsmith Sloe Gin, Gordon’s Sloe Gin, Edinburgh Sloe Gin.
This type of gin has 2 styles: oude gin (Old Gin) and jonge gin (young gin)
Stay tuned as we decode this particular topic.
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[…] As discussed in the previous blogs. Gin’s roots lie in jenever, a Dutch spirit originally used for medicinal purposes. As the British adopted gin in the 17th century, this spirit exploded in popularity during the “Gin Mania” […]