Six New Gins You Must Try, According To The Whisky Exchange

Forbes

08-04-2025

Five colorful gin tonic cocktails on bar counter. Gin has been one of the fastest growing spirit categories over the last decade.
Gin has undergone a renaissance over the last several decades, with an unprecedented increase in aroma and taste profiles. At last count, there were over 6,000 gins available worldwide. Recently, I spoke with Dawn Davies, head buyer at The Whiskey Exchange, the world's largest online spirits vendor, about her best new gin selections. Here are brief descriptions and tasting notes on her top six recommendations.
Bordeaux Distilling Co., a contemporary distillery in Bordeaux, France, established in 2018, is known for its innovative approach to spirit production. Botrytis Old Tom Gin, also known as Noble Rot Old Tom Gin, pays homage to the region's renowned Sauterne dessert wines produced by the Botrytis cinerea fungus, commonly known as "noble rot."
The gin is crafted using seven aromatic plants, emphasizing green cardamom and jasmine botanicals. True to the Old Tom style, this gin is sweetened, but uniquely, the distillery employs Sauterne wine to impart sweetness.
The gin features powerful aromas of white flowers and cardamom on the nose, complemented by subtle hints of fresh citrus.
On the palate, the gin presents a harmonious blend of botanical flavors, with green cardamom's spiciness and jasmine's floral notes taking center stage. The sweetness from the Sauterne adds depth and a smooth mouthfeel, enhancing the overall complexity.
The finish is long and smooth, with lingering sweet and floral notes gradually fading away.
Almqvist Destilleri, a boutique distillery located in the historic village of Rejmyre, Sweden, was founded by Bex Almqvist. She brings over a decade of experience from her tenure at Absolut Vodka.
The Nordic Dry Gin is Almqvist's interpretation of the classic London Dry style, infused with distinctive Nordic botanicals to create a unique flavor profile. Distilled in a 110-liter copper pot still, the gin incorporates seven carefully selected botanicals: juniper, lingonberries, coriander seed, orris root, angelica, fennel seed, and meadowsweet. Notably, the gin eschews traditional citrus elements, instead relying on the natural citrus notes derived from coriander seeds.
The gin features juniper and fresh floral notes, complemented by subtle hints of fennel and coriander seed. The palate presents a balanced and rounded profile, with the traditional juniper backbone enhanced by the sweetness of lingonberries and fennel.
The finish is long and crisp, with lingering notes of meadowsweet and a subtle herbal undertone, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.
The gin still at Mousehall Estate
Mousehall Country Estate, a family-run distillery in East Sussex, UK, produces Sussex Dry Gin. The estate, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, was revitalized in 2017 by Gary and Kathy Jordan, owners of Jordan Wine Estate in South Africa, along with their daughter, Christy Jordan. With a background in viticulture, the family transformed the neglected property into a thriving distillery and winery.
In 2021, they converted an abandoned barn into their distillery, housing a 400-liter traditional copper pot still named "Amahle," meaning "The Beautiful One. This operation is among the first distilleries within a winery in the UK.
Launched in June 2022, the gin is crafted from grape and grain neutral spirits, combined with 13 botanicals reflecting the family's English and South African heritage. The gin includes South African Rooibos and locally grown Sussex coriander seed.
The nose displays enticing aromas of juniper, fresh citrus, and floral notes from lavender and Rooibos. It's refreshing and complex on the palate, featuring juniper, zesty citrus, cardamom, and subtle floral undertones.
The finish is long and smooth, with lingering hints of cubebs, citrus, and fennel seeds.
This distinctive gin, produced by the Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh, Scotland, is inspired by Arthur's Seat, the prominent hill overlooking the city. "Height of Arrows" is the literal translation of "Àrd-Na-Said," the Gaelic name for this extinct volcano. Standing at 823 feet, Arthur's Seat's height was historically considered the maximum distance an archer could shoot an arrow, hence the name.
Holyrood Distillery's gin focuses on highlighting juniper aromas and flavors. A balanced presentation of clean, fresh pine and resin notes and light citrus zest adds depth and complexity.
It's oily and mouth-coating on the palate, featuring juniper, orange zest, and lemon pith, followed by bold black pepper and cardamom notes, tempered with a light herbaceous smoothness.
The finish is long, smooth, and dry, with effervescent spicy notes.
A Refreshing Gin Martini with a Lemon Garnish
Seadog is a robust gin from the Southwestern Distillery on the rugged north coast of Cornwall, England. Founded by Tarquin Leadbetter, the distillery is renowned for producing small-batch, artisanal gins that capture the essence of Cornwall's maritime terroir.
"The Seadog" adheres to the traditional, 57% ABV, navy strength standard. This gin was awarded "World's Best Gin" at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The gin uses 12 botanicals: juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, orris root, green cardamom seeds, cinnamon, bitter almond, licorice root, Violet leaves, and orange, lemon, and grapefruit peel. These botanicals are distilled in small batches using traditional copper pot stills.
Fresh, crisp, and vibrant juniper dominates on the nose, complemented by light aromatic spices, orange blossom, and a hint of cardamom.
The gin is creamy and dry on the palate, with delicate green pine and subtle frangipane notes, leading to a harmonious blend of citrus zest and exotic spices.
The finish is long and crisp, with lingering citrus zest and a touch of spice.
Four Pillars is a globally acclaimed distillery founded in 2013 in Healesville, Victoria, Australia. The founders—Cameron Mackenzie, Matt Jones, and Stuart Gregor—set out to create a gin that encapsulates Australian botanicals while paying homage to gin's global heritage. The distillery quickly rose to fame, earning the International Gin Producer of the Year title at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
The name "Four Pillars" symbolizes the key elements in their gin-making process: a copper still, exceptional botanicals, pure water, and a commitment to craft. Four Pillars uses small copper pot stills, including their iconic "Wilma," to produce their distinctive gins, which showcase a balance of traditional and native Australian botanicals.
The gin is bright and fresh, with dominant juniper and citrus notes. It features subtle hints of native Australian botanicals like lemon myrtle, which adds a zesty and herbaceous touch. Spice notes, including coriander seed and cinnamon, add complexity.
It's juniper-forward on the palate, but balanced by layers of sweet orange, grapefruit peel, and native pepperberry. It is creamy, with cinnamon and star anise offering a warm and slightly spicy undertone. Using Tasmanian pepperberry adds a unique earthy and spicy depth, distinguishing it from classic London Dry styles.
The finish is long, smooth, and clean, with lingering citrus and soft spice. A faint floral note from native lavender enhances the complexity.
The Four Pillars Gin Range
Four Pillars also produces several exotic gins. These include:
Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin: Made with Shiraz grapes, resulting in a rich, fruity, and slightly sweet gin.
Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin: A savory gin with olive and rosemary notes, ideal for martinis.
Four Pillars Spiced Negroni Gin: A bold gin crafted to complement the bitter elements of a Negroni cocktail.
These gins are all outstanding and will make outstanding Gin & Tonics that are refreshing and aromatic. Garnish them with a slice of citrus to bring out the citric notes or a sprig of rosemary to bring out the more herbaceous notes. A slice of apple or berries will accentuate the fruity notes.
The Old Tom Gin is ideal for a Tom Collins or Martinez, while the herbaceous gins are ideal for a Gibson. All of them will work well in a Martini or a Negroni.
Some of these gins are already available in the US, others are slated for release later in the year. Those gins unavailable in the US can be ordered via a UK internet vendor like The Whisky Exchange. For other gin recommendations see also The World's Best Gins For The Perfect Gin & Tonic.
Cheers