The World's Best Gins-According To The 2025 International Wine And Spirit Compeition

Forbes

2 days ago

The Gold Outstanding medal winners in gin at the 2025 International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Gin, a spirit that can trace its origins back to the Middle Ages, has seen a surge of interest in the new millennium. That's due to its fantastic versatility across a wide array of cocktail styles that have come to define today's cocktail culture. The botanical flavors inherent to gin make it a veritable 'Swiss army knife' of a spirit. From a classic martini to an elegant negroni, cocktails that feature gin have never been more popular.
While gin may be intrinsically linked to the United Kingdom these days, there are an untold number of craft distillers across the globe making some fantastic gins loaded with flavor. Their brilliance is on display at the 2025 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). As one of the oldest and most prestigious annual spirits judging events in the world, the IWSC sees the best bottles in the world sent each year to its esteemed judging panel.
The IWSC has just announced the recipients of its coveted Gold Outstanding medals, its highest accolade, in the gin category. To receive one, a bottle must score a minimum of 98 out of 100 points in their blind taste-testing format. To put the scope of the difficulty of landing such an award, the event bestowed medals (silver, gold, gold outstanding) on 264 gins this year; only eight took home the top prize. One of those will take home the Gin Trophy at their gala event in the fall, earning the title of the World's Best. Here is a brief snapshot of each medal winner and the judges' tasting notes.
From Saskatchewan, Canada, Black Fox Farms and Distillery has crafted its unique Haskap Gin (40 % ABV) using an ingredient close to home. That would be its farm-grown, hand-picked haskap berries, a hearty Canadian fruit infused in the distilling process alongside gentian root, black tea leaves, and a touch of Black Fox honey. It's an innovative spirit that showcases the untapped potential of regional ingredients.
Here is what the judges had to say about it: Deep ruby in hue, the enticing aroma evokes rich, woody notes with a hint of sweetness reminiscent of port. On the palate, it is a powerful and complex blend of deep red fruit and gin botanicals, offering a delightful freshness.
France's Loire Valley might be famous for wine, but Distillerie Combier's Meridor Gin proves its spirits pedigree. This 41.9% ABV London Dry is the result of two years of research and development. It offers a sophisticated blend of rose petals, elderflowers, licorice, lemon and other botanicals. It presents a full floral aroma that leads to a peppery kick, resulting in a fresh yet complex profile. Named for a local legend, Meridor Gin is an elegant expression of French distilling and proof that the country is more than a one-trick pony when it comes to alcohol.
Here is what the judges had to say about it: Light and fragrant, the aroma reveals vibrant juniper and citrus notes. Rich, bold palate, offering pronounced juniper alongside a delicate spiciness and a hint of bittersweet bergamot. Long, warm finish echoing the citrus character beautifully. A truly exquisite gin.
If you appreciate a gin with backbone, the Australian Distilling Co.'s Navy Gin should be on your radar. At a robust 57% ABV, this is a serious spirit. It's a bold take on navy strength, featuring pronounced woody spices like cardamom and nutmeg, alongside classic juniper and fresh pine notes. Layers of herbaceous, spicy, and sweet notes lead to a long, structured finish. This is a gin designed to perform, making it a powerful choice for a classic Negroni or a truly assertive Martini.
Here is what the judges had to say about it: Intense spice and inviting citrus notes. The palate is bold and layered, showcasing a delightful interplay of citrus and peppery warmth. A long, complex finish lingers, brimming with herbal nuances that beckon for another sip.
From Osaka, Japan, Mikuni Distillery's Osaka Gin is certainly worth noting. A small-batch gin, it can be hard to find outside of Japan. It isn't a typical juniper bomb; instead, it leans into floral flavors with a smooth finish. As Osaka's sole craft gin distillery, it brings a distinctive local essence to the global gin landscape. This is a gin that captures its origin in every sip.
Here is what the judges had to say about it: A delightful burst of lemon verbena and lemon-lime on the nose. The palate reveals a harmonious blend of spices and citrus, with cardamom and earthy roots shining through. Lingering finish, leaving a refreshing impression of vibrant citrus and juniper. Outstanding.
Singapore's Brass Lion Distillery truly shines with its Pearl Jasmine Gin. This 40% ABV gin is an elegant homage to the classic jasmine tea. Crafted using hand-rolled Dragon Phoenix Jasmine Tea pearls that were gently infused into the gin to capture their delicate essence, it closely resembles a cup of tea. That makes sense since it's part of the brand's Tea Series.
Here is what the judges had to say about it: Beautifully golden in color, this gin has a nose featuring light jasmine tea and honey sweetness. The palate mirrors this and adds tannins to the benefit of the jasmine. The perfumed finish lingers delightfully.
Out of NSW, Australia, Nine Circles Distillery offers a very well-executed Signature Gin. This isn't about overpowering; it's about harmony. With 14 carefully selected botanicals, it achieves a balanced profile that showcases citrus, spice, and aniseed. It's the kind of versatile gin that works perfectly in a simple G&T with an orange slice but also holds its own in more complex cocktails. Nine Circles truly commits to artisanal production, making this a fine example of modern Australian gin.
Here is what the judges had to say about it: An intense and inviting scented with menthol, citrus blossom, and herbal tea greets the senses, leading to a structured and rounded palate. Bright citrus notes intertwine with delicate floral peppercorns, culminating in a long, gentle finish that lingers beautifully.
If it isn't apparent yet, the distillers in Australia are turning out some excellent gins these days; four of the eight GO medal winners are from there. 30 Knots Spirits Sea Spray Gin from Western Australia is an intriguing gin, at 40% ABV, designed for refreshment. It expertly blends bold juniper with traditional botanicals and the unique, native Ruby Saltbush, creating a subtly salty and warming character. With clear notes of saltwater, juniper, and desert lime, it's a gin that truly evokes its origins. It's a compelling option for anyone seeking something distinctive and invigorating in their glass.
Here is what the judges had to say about it: Green botanicals, complemented by a subtle freshness and a hint of vegetation. Pepper and spice layers emerge beautifully; the botanicals dance in harmony, revealing a creamy, zesty character with earthy and nutty undertones, culminating in a captivating complexity.
Hailing from Tasmania, Australia, Turner Stillhouse is making a clear mark with their Three Cuts Distiller's Release Gin. Built using local ingredients and pure Tasmanian water, this 42.0% ABV small-batch release focuses on refinement. Its botanical blend includes green cardamom, Tasmanian lime and lemon, white peppercorn and three cuts of rose petals that add unique floral layers. The result is a balanced gin that delivers organic juniper with bright citrus and exotic warmth.
Here is what the judges had to say about it: A soft and floral bouquet with notes of juniper and citrus lead into a vibrant palate where sweet herbal notes intertwine seamlessly. This delightful harmony culminates in a long, laced finish with earthy undertones. Lovely botanical integration with excellent complexity.
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