Gin Types – Which One Do You Like the Most?

Gin types – Which one do you like the most?

There are both official and unofficial Gin types. The production of the official Gin types is regulated by specific standards to be allowed to get an official Gin name. For some Gins even the origin is regulated by law, for example only a Gin produced in the english port Plymouth has the right to name himself Plymouth Gin. For the unofficial Gin types, no standard requirements exist and so, you have countless possibilities to experiment and create exceptional Gins.

Short Facts

Official Gin types: For the traditional ones

Dry Gin

• most popular Gin type in the world
• strong juniper taste
• dry 
• addition of non-vegetable elements/flavors is not allowed
• addition of sugar is allowed

London Dry Gin

• strong juniper taste
• dry and aromatic/spicy
• origin from London is not required
• addition of artificial supplements/flavors is strictly forbidden
• addition of sugar is limited to 0,5g per liter

Distilled Gin

• at least distilled twice 
• strong juniper taste
• minimal alcohol content: 37,5 % vol.

Sloe Gin

• less like a classical Gin, more sweet-fruity liqueur with 15-30 % Vol. alcohol
• most important ingredient: sloes (small plums)
• perfect for the pure taste, cocktails and Gin Tonic

Geografical Gin types: My home, my Gin!

Plymouth Gin

• has to be produced in Plymouth, England
• Black Friars Destillerie is the only distillery producing Plymouth Gin following the original recipe
• less strong juniper flavor with a lot of earthy/herbal flavors

Gin de Mahón

That Gin has to be produced in Mahón, the capital of Menorca.

Vilnius Gin

That Gin has to be produced in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

Unofficial Gin types: Let’s Gin and be creative!

New Western Dry Gin

• no restrictions regarding to additions of botanicals/supplements
• an other flavor is stronger than the juniper taste
• good for the pure pleasure

Old Tom Gin

• supposedly first Gin version 
• the name has its origin in the statue that looked like a tomcat, established in front of some pubs ordered by the Gin Acts, but which promoted the illegal Gin consumption even more
• very sweet because of its high sugar rate
• perfect for mixing in cocktails

Genever

• originally from the Netherlands/Belgium
• basis for Genever is a cereal mash, that means clear alcohol composed of cereal and potatoe basis
• additions of botanicals/supplements is not restricted

Reserve Gin / Barrel aged Gin

• is stored in barrels
• has often a complex taste
• mostly much more expensive due to the longer time in storage

Cream Gin

• very sweet and creamy taste
• strong flavor of vanilla and lemon
• basis is a London Dry Gin
• originally from the Victorian Age

Compound Gin

• botanicals are stored in neutral alcohol
• mostly yellow color
• not a high-quality Gin because of being distilled only once

Pink Gin

• trend from Spain
• shimmers pink because of adding strawberries after distillation

And a lot of more …

Did you know?

You may think that the British consume the most Gin. Around 43 %, almost half of the global production of Gin, is consumed by the Philippines. The Gin session in the respective country is called “Ginuman”.