16-04-2025
The Top International Gin, According To The Beverage Testing Institute
Ramsbury Single Estate Gin
Six international gin brands were awarded Gold Medals at the 2025 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) Gin Judging. Ramsbury Single Estate Gin from England was the top-ranked international gin. As with the US gin judging, the Gold Medal winners were dominated by craft brands. Below are the official tasting notes on BevTest's Top International Gins.
Ramsbury is a premium London Dry gin crafted entirely on the Ramsbury Estate in Wiltshire, England. This "field to bottle" approach ensures complete control over every production stage, from cultivating Horatio wheat to distillation and bottling.
The estate-grown wheat mash is distilled through a 43-plate copper column still, producing an exceptionally smooth base spirit. The gin incorporates a blend of 14 botanicals, including locally sourced juniper, quince, citrus peels, angelica root, coriander, bitter almond, and cinnamon.
The gin is fresh and clean on the nose with a pronounced juniper-forward character, along with pine and fresh citrus notes. Subtle aromas of quince, ripe grapes, and a slight, candied Juicy Fruit gum-like sweetness add complexity.
It's smooth and rich on the palate, featuring classic juniper and citrus flavors complemented by woody angelica, bitter almond, and spicy cinnamon. The quince imparts a gentle fruitiness, while hints of orris root and pepper add depth.
The finish is long and silky, with lingering spice and delicate floral notes.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the gin as featuring:
Aromas of spicy fruit cake with hazelnut-pistachio frosting, citrus marmalade on golden raisin toast, and ginger snap. The aromas follow through to the palate along with notes of mango-peach chutney, juniper jelly, and cardamom custard. A powerful, almost bombastic parade of fruit, spice, herb aromas and flavors makes this a memorable gin for the finest cocktails.
Ramsbury Single Estate Gin is a versatile spirit that is suitable for various cocktails. Its pronounced juniper character pairs well with Indian tonic water, garnished with a slice of green apple and lime, and makes for an excellent G&T. Its smoothness also makes it an excellent choice for a classic Dry Martini, offering a wide range of delightful cocktail experiences.
Ramsbury Gin has received multiple awards, including Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Eden Mill St. Andrews Golf Gin
St. Andrews Golf Gin is a limited-edition release from Eden Mill Distillery in St. Andrews, Scotland—the 'Home of Golf.' This gin celebrates the town's golfing heritage and was designed with botanicals inspired by the traditional golf course landscape.
Eden Mill, known for being Scotland's first combined brewery and distillery, produces this gin in small batches. The Golf Gin is part of their craft gin range and pays tribute to golf's roots in St. Andrews.
The botanicals used include juniper, as the classic base; heather, lavender, and pine needles, evoking the floral and woody scent of golf course roughs. Sea Buckthorn, a signature Scottish botanical, mint, and lemon balm add a refreshing, herbaceous character.
The gin is presented in a golf ball-patterned white ceramic bottle, making it collectible and thematic. It's an ideal gift for a golfer!
The gin's nose is fresh and fragrant, with floral tones of lavender and heather complemented by crisp pine and a whisper of mint. It's robust and flavorful on the palate, showing classic juniper alongside earthy heather, resinous pine, and a soft citrus sweetness. Subtle mint and lemon balm add a cooling note.
The finish is clean and dry with lingering green herbaceousness and a faint maritime salinity.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the gin as expressing:
Aromas of lavender, medicated balm, and pine blossom. The palate features additional notes of candied lemon peel, fresh cracked juniper on melon, and berry nonpareils. A vivacious, juniper-forward London Dry gin with an earthy, herbaceousness that complements savory cocktails nicely.
Enjoyed best in a classic G&T with a sprig of rosemary or mint and a wedge of lemon or served in a Martini with a floral twist.
Gin & Tonic with rosemary and cucumber
Highclere Castle Gin is an ultra-premium London Dry gin produced at the historic Highclere Castle estate in Hampshire, England, famously known as the filming location of Downton Abbey.
Launched in 2019, Highclere Castle Gin is crafted using botanicals grown in the castle's ancient gardens, which date back to the 9th century. The gin is distilled at Langley Distillery, one of England's oldest distilleries, with centuries of gin-making heritage. The recipe was developed in partnership with the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, owners of Highclere Castle, and spirits entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin.
The gin uses a blend of ten botanicals, including juniper, coriander, cardamom, and lemon peel. It also uses lavender and orange peel sourced from the castle's gardens. Estate-grown oats are used to create an exceptionally creamy mouthfeel.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the Highclere Castle Gin as showcasing:
Aromas of juniper, pine fronds, and lemon zest. Those flavors are followed by accents of pine forest, yellow cake, and fresh citrus. Classic London Dry for cocktailing, this well-constructed gin with yellow cake and fresh citrus notes will support your drink and not get in the way.
Atian is a South African rose gin. The BevTest Judging Panel described it as exhibiting:
Aromas of rose petals, pink peppercorns, and eucalyptus. The palate features spruce tips, candied Meyer lemon, and hibiscus. Impeccably balanced; a meadow in bloom captured in a glass.
Martin Miller's is another perennial medalist in international gin competitions. The BevTest Judging Panel described the gin as expressing:
Aromas of blood orange, cucumber, and rose water. The palate features similar flavors along with melon, black walnut, and black currant tea notes—a graceful, well-balanced gin with attractive fruit and floral tones and a hint of warm spice.
The BevTest Judging Panel described the gin as featuring:
Aromas of candied lime, lemon balm, and watermelon with cucumbers. The palate shows similar flavors with accents of lemon custard, sorbet, and golden plum skin. Citrus forward new school Gin with a bit of tension on the palate, begging to be stirred and enjoyed as the center of attention to open it up fully.
Craft distillers increasingly dominate international gin competitions, each pushing gin's aroma and flavor boundaries in new and unexpected directions. These six gins span the globe, from Scotland to South Africa. They present an array of profiles, from juniper-intensive to subtle floral contemporary style gin.
These gin expressions are excellent. The juniper-intensive ones, like Ramsbury and Highclere Castle, are ideal for gin-based cocktails where an assertive gin presence is perfect. These top-ranked gins are perfect if you have a passion for G&T or a powerful Negroni. Consider the other gins on this list if you want a more subtle layered complexity in a gin Martini. If you're going to explore world-class gins, this list of Gold Medal Gins from the Beverage Testing Institute is a good place to start.
For additional recommendations of top-ranked gins, see Six New Gins You Must Try and The World's Best Gin For The Perfect Gin & Tonic.
