What is #GinFriday? I’m glad you asked – Gin Friday started as a silly post on social media that really meant nothing more than “hey, I’m taking a moment to celebrate life and I happen to be drinking gin.” But, for one reason or another, maybe because I just hammered it into the collective conscience of the SoBros Network faithful, it caught on and people began tagging me in their Friday night gin enjoyment. So, hey – I figured I’d put together my own little list of gin power rankings for you guys. As for why I love gin, it’s pretty simple – I think it’s the most complex liquor out there…I love the aromatics, the botanicals, and how gin can vary greatly from bottle to bottle. It’s always interesting, and it never grows old. With a lime and tonic, it’s the most refreshing drink there is in my book.
The Elite
Monkey 47 – Welcome to the high life. 47 ingredients….47 ingredients (!!!)…in this gin. From a quality standpoint, it is probably the best, most complex, gin I’ve ever had. Keep a bottle on hand for special occasions.
Castle & Key – This has become my go-to drinkin’ gin. I know Kentucky is technically bourbon country, but they have themselves a hell of a gin in this one. It’s the chamomile and rosemary for me. But, to get quality like this at that price point is simply phenomenal.
Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger – I’m a big fan of the distinct flavor of Whitley Neill’s rhubarb & ginger. Something about the bite of the ginger and almost-fruity botanical notes makes this one unique. This was hard to come by here in the U.S. for quite awhile, but now even us hillbillies in Mount Juliet, TN can get our fix thanks to Providence Wine & Spirits.
Wild Roots – Strong, classical gin flavor with a nice complex aroma makes this one of my favorite drinkin’ gins. What I love about Wild Roots is how the right tonic accentuates the bold flavor of this one perfectly.
Mahón – I had seen Mahón at Providence Wine & Spirits several weeks ago and thought it sounded interesting. But, since I had had a bad day and was looking for something I could slam that night, I opted out of the $38 price point, and stuck with a bottle of Bombay. Last weekend (4/9/22) was my bachelor party – me and the boys stayed at a cabin on Center Hill Lake for the weekend. I wanted to get something new and special for the trip. Mahón was the easy choice. I was blown away by how unique of a profile this gin had – that’s hard to do, right? Gin is all essentially the same ingredients with varying botanicals. Well, the folks at Mahón have found a way. It’s very “Mediterranean.” The base spirit is made with wine, and the juniper berries are aged two years, giving this gin a full-bodied and rich initial hit, with a smooth, lemony finish. They claim on their website that it’s perfect for G&Ts and I can’t disagree. It’s rare that a gin so instantly becomes one of my favorites, but this is an example of that.
Tinkerman’s Sweet Spice – With nutmeg and grains of paradise in it, Tinkerman’s Sweet Spice definitely errs on the spicy side of gin. But, that’s precisely what makes it an elite gin. It’s full of spice without sacrificing the aromatic herbal qualities that make gin so fantastic. If ever there was an “Autumn gin,” Tinkerman’s Sweet Spice would be the one.
The Good
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin – My brother-in-law-in-law snagged a bottle of this while my wife and I were visiting for the holidays, and I was instantly blown away by this gin. It’s made with a myriad of oriental botanicals, but it’s the gunpowder tea that gives this gin a sort of comforting ‘tea flavor’ profile. The blend of botanicals makes for an exotic flavor between the easily identifiable star anise (that adds to any cocktail, in my humble opinion) and cardamom. It amazed me how the botanicals and aromatics came and went in waves as I enjoyed my G&T. It’s as if this gin was designed to give you a drinking experience that kept you on your toes – finding something new to appreciate with each sip.
Barr Hill Gin – Barr Hill makes a rather straightforward and simplistic gin, and yet, it captures the very essence of nature itself all the same. It’s drinkable. It’s refreshing. And, it’s versatile, filling any gin cocktail admirably. The distillery has a fantastic story, and their belief in starting strong with quality raw ingredients is evident with every sip of Barr Hill gin. It has a classical juniper profile that is highlighted by the slight sweetness of the honey with which it is finished. You won’t find a more perfect gin for a Bee’s Knees.
Sweet Gwendoline – What a unique gin with an atypical flavor profile! I can’t say that I’ve ever had a gin that utilized fig and French white wine, and that definitely gives Sweet Gwendoline a sweet overtone. They even dialed up the sweetness in the botanicals, adding cardamom and sweet orange to the more traditional juniper and citrus profiles. It makes for a gin and tonic that stands out from the pack, something so different and refreshing that you can’t help but appreciate every sip.
Roku – That bottle of Roku gin has been tempting me every time I’ve been in my local liquor store, but I just never pulled the trigger on it. Finally, I just so happened to be in a bar in Hell’s Kitchen that had it, so I asked ’em to fire up a G&T with it for me. I immediately loved it and recognized a distinct herbal flavor profile – specifically the green tea…I couldn’t quite place it, but after reading other reviews of it, THAT’S IT. Very elegant, yet simple, blend of unique botanicals that instantly made Roku one of my favorite ‘the-simpler-the-better’ drinks – you can pour this bad boy neat, over ice, or in a G&T, but I don’t think I’d venture too far from that.
The Botanist Islay Dry Gin – Floral, herbal, and smooth, The Botanist feels like a breath of fresh air in a drink. With 22 different botanicals, this gin has a complex flavor profile that offers a little bit of everything. It’s Earthy, and the balance between the extensive list of botanicals gives it an interesting drinkability – it’s one of those gins that you seem to find something new with every sip. My brother-in-law-in-law made a cocktail with muddle cucumber out of it, and it was the perfect way to balance out the heavy herbal spice with the fresh taste of cucumber. Well done!
Glendalough Rose – It’s a fantastic gin with a fantastic story and meaning behind it. It may sound cheesy, but that made my gin and tonic feel a little more special. I always take my notes on a gin before reading about its botanicals – I don’t want anything guiding my palate. I go in dark. From the first sip, I noticed how heavily floral it was with notes of rose that beat you over the head. It’s distilled with rose. It’s then infused with rose. I dare say it couldn’t be any rosier. Like I said, a fantastic gin.
Gray Whale Gin – With hints of ocean water and almond in every drink, Gray Whale offers up a quintessential California gin. Any time you can throw in a botanical I’ve never had before, you’re going to get instant points in my book. That was the case with Gray Whale, distilled with almonds and sea kelp, both of which I can’t say I’ve ever had in a gin. I drank this one mixed with Fever Tree’s sparkling pink grapefruit, and it made for quite the enjoyable G&T. The sea kelp is what gives it that slight tinge of saltwater that reminds you of the sea. The almonds give it a nutty, Earthy profile. And, there’s mint in this one to go along with the more classical botanicals (juniper, fir, lime zest) to boot. Gray Whale makes for a fantastic summer cocktail.
Ha’Penny Rhubarb Gin – Had a little Ha’Penny rhubarb courtesy of our friends at Sinkers Beverages with some club soda and a lime, and it made for a smooth, easy drink. I’m a sucker for a good rhubarb gin, and this one finishes light and easy, leaning heavy on the floral, citrusy side and much less on the spice and bite side. It’s not an overly complex tasting gin, but it’s a gin that seems to know what it does best, and it leans heavily into that rhubarb, citrus (and even blackberries according to Binny’s) profile. While I usually go tonic, I think the lighter club soda actually heightened the refreshing profile of the gin more than tonic would have. That makes it dangerous, as you can sling this stuff back with effortless ease.
Empress – My man Jack pointed me to Empress quite awhile ago, and I finally got to try it out thanks to a Friday night trip to Memo’s Mexican Kitchen, and Katie pouring up one hell of a refreshing cocktail with it. What Empress does differently is black tea and butterfly pea blossom, among other botanicals. And, you can certainly get those floral overtones in it. To be something gimmicky (the color changing and all that), it’s a damn good, rich, and full-bodied “Earthy” style of gin.
MuckleyEye – I was gifted a bottle of MuckleyEye’s copper pot distilled American gin for our wedding, and held onto the bottle for quite awhile before opening it. By the way, it’s a great lookin’ bottle. We set it out on display on our bookshelf and it fits right in with the rest of the motif. But, I’m not here to talk about how the bottle looks. I’m here to talk about the gin. It’s really heavy on the juniper – it’s a very straightforward gin, with nice notes of citrus and floral flavors on the finish. It is strong enough to bite you back, and it felt a lot more bold and powerful than a lot of the other gins on this list. That’s a good thing or a bad thing depending upon your preferences. Me? I liked it – it makes for a nice gin and tonic in which the tonic doesn’t wash away some of the depths of the flavor.
Seersucker – This Southern style gin has a nice blend of botanicals and a citrusy tone that isn’t overbearing. The kicker for me is the mint – that’s not one that you typically think of in gin, but it works to refreshing perfection.
Trouble Spirits – The whole vibe of the Trouble Spirits brand shines through this in this smooth drinkin’ gin. It’s laid back and easy, and makes for the perfect summer gin and tonic – refreshing and sharp, amplified by the right tonic and a slice of lime. You can absolutely pound this stuff. You’re not going to get an overly complex botanical profile here. Rather, it tastes like one of the cleanest, most straightforward classical gins you’ll have. Hell, I even got our resident film critic (NOT a noted gin guy like me) to try one and he actually liked it too. Order a bottle at the Trouble Spirits website.
Woody Creek Distillers Roaring Fork Gin – A crystal clear, smooth, and classical style gin that doesn’t get too fancy with the botanicals. They don’t list the 13 botanicals included, but I’d imagine it’s a more traditional set as this gin has the classic juniper-heavy flavor profile. The focus, to me, is on how clean and pure this gin is, along with how easily it goes down. It’s a quintessential cocktail gin.
Marble City Pink Gin – I’m not usually a fan of a smoky gin, but Knox Whiskey Works did this one just right. The floral notes of this gin profile take a back seat to a rich flavor that gives it a depth that you’d typically get out of a good glass of wine. Which…hey, that makes sense given that Knox Whiskey Works ages Marble City Pink in used Cabernet barrels. Yeah, buddy – y’all know I like a good unique twist on a gin. This one is toasty, full-bodied, and finishes with the usual refreshment of a G&T. I haven’t countered too many whiskey spots that do gin this well.
No. 3 London Dry Gin – To me, citrus in a gin can be hit or miss. It’s one of those things can rather quickly become too much or not enough. No. 3 nails it – if you like a citrusy gin, this is the gold standard.
Purity Gin – Get the navy strength and kiss your night goodbye.
Uncle Val’s – Cucumber and sage are among the botanicals that make Uncle Val’s stand out from the pack. This is among the more refreshing gins I’ve tried, however, the signature complexity of a good gin isn’t sacrificed.
Asbury Park Distilling – This was the gin of choice at my wedding shower, and I’ll say this much…it was definitely effective at calming my nerves and crushing my anxiety. I’ve always struggled with formal events – wedding, funerals, job interviews…I don’t get it either. Anyway, Asbury Park makes a pure-tasting gin that is high on citrus and spice, and lower on the juniper. To my non-gin-drinking friends, it has less of that “pine needle taste” you guys loathe. This is a really good drinkin’ gin, and makes for a refreshing G&T.
Vim & Petal – This is a bold and straightforward gin – you won’t get a lot of fruit, citrus, or floral notes out of this one. It’s straight juniper, straight booze, and it’ll burn going down if you’re not careful. I happen to dig that – I want a gin that’s going to fight back every once in awhile. But, I realize that profile isn’t for everyone. The flavor is a little more subtle with this one, with various notes popping after your first gulp has already gone down. They list ‘Sichuan peppercorn’ among the 18 botanicals, and that immediately triggered a light bulb in my head. “Ah, that’s what that was!” I really dug it, but your G&T with this one might need a little doctoring (Portland Syrups makes my go-to for a gin like this) if you don’t want steam coming out of your ears.
Wild Roots Orange & Bergamot – The infused gins can be tricky. Sometimes, they taste syrupy, robbing the gin of any botanical profile that can make it unique. I don’t think that’s necessarily the case with Wild Roots’ orange and bergamot infused gin, though at times, I’d take a sip and think I was drinking alcoholic orange Gatorade. I like the citrus component in this one, and adding bergamot to the botanical profile does give it a different style of spice. But, man, sometimes, you just can’t beat the original. The standard issue Wild Roots is one of my favorite drinkin’ gins at its price point. That’s just hard to beat, especially when adding flavors can overwhelm the very botanicals that make it great. Maybe I just need to chill on the flavored stuff. Nonetheless, it does make for a smooth gin and tonic that goes down a little too easily.
Corsair – Brewed right here in the Music City, Corsair is the class of the local gin scene (albeit a small one). Known for their whiskey, they make a decent gin that’s strong and will put a little hair on your chest.
Ol’ Reliable
Bombay Sapphire – Old faithful, as far as I’m concerned. Of the stuff-you’re-likely-going-to-find-at-the-bar class, Bombay Sapphire is my pick.
Aviation – Let’s give Ryan Reynolds his due. He made a good drinkin’ gin.
Tanqueray – I mean, hell…you can’t go wrong with one of if not the biggest gin brand on the planet.
Hendrick’s – I know it’s technically “top shelf,” and don’t get me wrong, I’ll gladly drink it…but come on…if you’re building out a home bar, you want something a little more exotic for your guests, right?
The Rest
Transformation Spirits Bourbon Barreled Gin – I found this one to be a little too bourbon-y for my liking. It made for an unusual gin and tonic. I wouldn’t necessarily call it bad, but it was certainly different. It’s a straightforward gin profile…nothing too outside-the-box…the signature is the aging in the bourbon barrel. Like I said, I wouldn’t say I hated it, but I just kept thinking to myself, “if I wanted bourbon, I would’ve poured some bourbon.” It’s strong.
Beefeater – Listen, it’ll do in a pinch, or if you’re trying to stretch that paycheck one more week. But, why not just spend a few extra bucks and get some Bombay?
Beyond Distilling Tropical Gin – I wrote this one off after the first G&T I made with it because it is way too fruity and way NOT herbal. I gotta have my botanicals, baby! I read some other reviews of it, and frankly, I just don’t get the afterbite of juniper in this one the way some others do. It’s straight mango and passionfruit to me. I didn’t like it at all with a tonic, but this gin is a good lesson in not writing spirits off after one bad glass. The more I thought about it, the more I thought, “man, this one might just be a good cocktail gin.” I was right. I can definitely see this being a hit in some gin punch. But, the following week, I tried it with a spritz of lemon juice and a guava-essenced La Croix. I found it to be quite refreshing, emblematic of the summertime spirit, and tasty in the fruitiest of ways. Sometimes, you just gotta find the right spot, and I found the right spot with this gin as a mixer.
Whitley Neill Blood Orange – For as much as I like their rhubarb and ginger, the blood orange just simply falls short. It tastes like straight up orange Gatorade.
Old Glory – I want to support local distilleries, and I always encourage folks to not just take the opinion of a stranger on the internet to heart and try for themselves, but Old Glory tasted like what I would imagine Pledge tastes like. It’ll do for mixin’ but don’t expect to put your pinky out for this one.
Richard’s Dam Good Gin – Another local distillery that’s just a bit off the mark. There’s not a lot of complexity in the flavor of it, but it’ll do when you’re slingin’ back mixed drinks. And, this is a whiskey distillery, mind you. They didn’t even have samples of the gin in the store because no one drinks it! I’ll cut ’em some slack.
I’m sure I’m forgetting some random gin that I’ve tried one time and forgotten about, but I’ll be sure to use this piece as a sort of live journal whenever I try a new one. What’s your favorite gin? Let me know in the comments.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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