- 90% Delivered in 2 Working Days
- Local Hand Delivery to B Postcodes
- Award-Winning Gluten-Free & Vegan Beer
Home/Blogs/How To Choose The Right Gin
It’s no understatement to say there are hundreds and hundreds of gin types out in the wild. Consequently, choosing the right gin for your tastes can feel surprisingly complicated. With so many styles, botanicals and flavour combinations available, it can be tough to know where to start. The good news, though, is that there isn’t a single ‘best’ gin. The right type for you depends entirely on the flavours you enjoy, how you like to drink it and how adventurous you want to be.
You can read more about what gin is here, but in this guide, our ginnoisseurs will explain how to choose gin by breaking down some common flavour profiles, exploring the different types of gin available and looking at which styles suit different serves. Whether you’re completely new to gin or simply wondering what gin you should buy, this beginner-friendly guide will help you find a bottle that suits your taste.
If you’re a fan of fresh, zesty drinks, citrus-led gins could be the place to start. Common botanicals (flavours) include lemon peel, orange peel, grapefruit and bergamot, with each bringing its own character to the spirit. These gins are typically bright, refreshing and easy to drink, making them particularly popular with newcomers. Citrussy gins also work well in a classic gin and tonic.
With gin, the ‘notes’ are the flavours and aromas that stand out when you smell or taste it. Floral gins often feature botanicals such as lavender, rose, chamomile and hibiscus. They create a delicate, fragrant and smooth flavour profile that can feel slightly lighter and more elegant than traditional gin, making them enjoyable for relaxed sipping.
If you enjoy savoury flavours and more complex drinks, herbal and earthy gins could be ideal for your tastes. Look out for botanicals such as rosemary, thyme, sage and angelica root. These ingredients help create a more botanical-forward flavour profile with plenty of depth and character. Herbal gins are often favoured by drinkers looking for something a little less conventional.
If you often enjoy richer, warmer flavours, spiced gins are well worth exploring. Botanicals such as cardamom, cinnamon, pepper and coriander can add extra depth and complexity without overwhelming the gin itself. These styles are often bold, warming and full of character, boosting their appeal during colder months or when used in more flavourful cocktails.
London Dry Gin is the style most people will know when they picture a traditional gin. Despite the name, it does not have to be made in London! It is known for being juniper-rich, crisp and dry, with a clean flavour profile that works brilliantly in gin and tonics, martinis and many other classic cocktails.
Our Brummie Gin is a little different. Distilled from the mash of our Pale Brummie beer, it is a low-waste spirit that stays true to our brewing roots. With juniper, orange peel, coriander, orris root, lemon peel and cassia, it delivers a smooth, fruity and refreshing flavour that pairs particularly well with yuzu tonic.
Contemporary gin, sometimes called New Western Gin, places less emphasis on juniper to allow other botanicals to come to the fore. Citrus, floral and herbal flavours are often more noticeable in these types of gin, creating a softer drinking experience. They are popular with beginners and work well in modern cocktails or in simple, easy-to-sip serves.
Old Tom Gin sits somewhere between London Dry and sweeter historical gin styles. It has a touch of sweetness, along with the classic juniper flavours, which creates a richer feel on the palate and a smoother finish. Once hugely popular in the 18th and early-19th centuries, it has had something of a resurgence thanks to its use in historical cocktail recipes and by enthusiasts exploring different styles.
Navy Strength Gin is bottled at a higher ABV (Alcohol by Volume) than standard gin, usually at around 57% ABV or above. This creates a much more intense flavour, where the botanicals become more pronounced. More experienced gin drinkers often favour it, especially in bolder cocktails where strong flavours shine.
It’s hard to beat a classic gin and tonic, and for some of the best combinations, London Dry styles can be the best place to start. Their strong juniper character and bright citrus notes work perfectly with tonic water to create the crisp, refreshing serve that most people associate with traditional gin.
A martini benefits from a clean, crisp gin that allows the spirit to shine. Once again, classic London Dry gins are often the preferred choice thanks to their dry profile and balanced botanicals, which really help to create the smooth, elegant cocktail that martini lovers enjoy.
When choosing gin for a range of cocktails, versatility is key. Gins with balanced botanicals and consistent flavour profiles tend to work best, allowing them to complement other ingredients without overpowering them. Experimentation is often key, matching the right type of gin with each specific cocktail mix, and to your own personal tastes.
Do you prefer gin neat or over ice? Then, contemporary styles are very much worth exploring. Their botanical complexity and smooth finish can create a more interesting sipping experience, allowing individual flavours and aromas to come through with each taste. Our own Brummie Gin is a great example, delivering a smooth, fruity character that's enjoyable when sipped on its own.
Discover Brummie GinIf you’re taking your first steps into exploring gin, our advice is to look for those that are citrus-based with balanced juniper and a smoother finish. These tend to be easier to enjoy and are less overpowering, giving you time to familiarise yourself with the gin without being overwhelmed.
Once you’ve sampled a few different styles, you may find yourself drawn to gins with greater botanical complexity and deeper juniper notes. These offer a little more depth and character, making it easier to appreciate the subtle differences between different recipes and distillation styles.
Once you consider yourself an experienced gin drinker, there’s fun to be had in exploring some of the unique botanical blends, Navy Strength options and even experimental craft releases. These tend to deliver bolder tastes, offering flavour combinations that lend themselves to experimentation.
We know we’ve imparted a lot of gin advice in this blog post, and you must be itching to get started looking for your perfect gin. Before you do, here are five quick tips on common mistakes you could avoid:
We hope this article has imparted some of our wisdom on how to choose gin. Here at Birmingham Brewing Company, we’re passionate about beer and are thrilled to have joined the gin ranks with our Brummie Gin.
Made from the mash of our Pale Brummie brews, we’ve delivered a distinctive gin with six carefully balanced botanicals: juniper, orange peel, coriander, orris root, lemon peel and cassia. This delivers a fresh, fruity and smooth gin that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, and is vegan, gluten-free and made using 100% renewable energy, just like all our products.
Ready to give us a try? You can shop online, learn more about us or explore our taproom. Need to get in touch? Call us on 0121 724 0399 or use our online form – we’d love to hear from you.
