The winners of our big gin taste test 2023
Here at Good Housekeeping, we've always been a big fan of the juniper-based spirit. From classic London dry gins to on-trend pink and flavoured styles, the market has never offered so many options. With that in mind, what are the best gin bottles out there?
In our big gin taste test, the Good Housekeeping Institute put the spirit to the test across three key gin categories. Each sample was tested blind and neat, and then again diluted with a small amount of water. This was to ensure that the flavour was not impaired by any mixer or brand bias.
Over a series of taste tests, our experts sipped their way through 91 different bottles, testing across classic, flavoured, and pink gin varieties. From longstanding big brand names to independent craft gin distillers, we ensured we tested them all.
CLASSIC DRY GIN
East London Liquor scooped the top spot in this category. A super-smooth gin with well-balanced botanical flavours of juniper, coriander seeds, angelica root, cardamom, cubeb berries and a zingy lemon and grapefruit peel burst.
BUY NOW £20.99, Amazon (89/100)
Read on for our full list of GHI-approved classic dry gin.
FLAVOURED GIN
It was a tie for top spot in the flavoured gin category, but Beefeater Peach and Raspberry Gin ticked all our boxes. This spirit has a distinct bubblegum sweetness with notes of ripe peach. It's seriously smooth and easy to drink, simply top with tonic and finish with a raspberry and peach slice garnish.
Our joint winner comes courtesy of Silent Pool. Made in Surrey using rare citrus fruits sourced from across the globe, our panel was full of high praise for the combination of yuzu and pomelo, and lingering citrus finish. Paired with campari and vermouth, this would make an exceptional negroni.
BUY NOW £19.95, The Bottle Club (90/100)
BUY NOW £35.99, Waitrose (90/100)
Read on for our full list of GHI-approved flavoured gin.
PINK GIN
Scoring the highest out of all the categories was Malfy Gin Rosa (91/100); a pink gin that stood out above the rest for its pronounced freshness.
Distilled in Italy, botanicals include Sicilian pink grapefruit, rhubarb and coriander, while the flavour was fruity, intense and, according to our panel, just like “biting into a fresh grapefruit.” We’re sold.
BUY NOW £26.49, Amazon (91/100)
Read on for our full list of GHI-approved pink gin.
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