Which Countries Produce the Best Gin?

This popular alcohol has a very colourful history, to say the least. As you know, the main ingredient used to distil Gin is the Juniper Berry. In this light there are records stating that in ancient times juniper berries infused with wine had been used for medicinal purposes to treat chest ailments. By the 16th century the Dutch started producing a medical concoction named ‘genever’, which soon took on the form of our now favourite Gin, by the 17th century. 

Then came Craft Gin! This is the new go-to drink for gin lovers, produced in small batches by distillers who are passionate about giving craft spirit enthusiasts a stunning beverage to enjoy and savour. These small independent distillers use locally sourced high-quality ingredients to create their artisan products, and there is no doubt in the minds of fans that there is certainly a difference in the flavour and aroma of the gin produced by them. They use a number of different unique ingredients such as botanicals and herbs, together with Juniper berries, its predominant flavour, that have created distinct styles and brands of the beverage. 

Whether it is regular or Craft Gin, it is a beverage loved by many around the world, so which countries produce the most varieties of this famous alcohol in the world? Here are the top contenders:

• United Kingdom – a staggering 1,722 varieties
• United States – 702 varieties
• Germany – come in a close third with 692 varieties
• Spain – 463 types
• Belgium – 430 types
• Australia – 216 varieties
• Netherlands – 134 types
• Canada – 120 varieties
• Italy – 118 Types
• France – 115 gins 

Out of these, which countries produce the best gin? Here are a few of the top-rated Gins from around the globe.

• Gordon’s– Made in Scotland
• Bombay Sapphire – Made in Hampshire, England
• Tanqueray– Made in London, Untied Kingdom
• Beefeater– Made in London, United Kingdom
• Seagram’s– Made in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, USA
• Larios– Made in Spain
• Hendricks– Made in Scotland 

If you are more of a Craft Gin fan (as most gin lovers are these days), then you might be wondering which brands are the best in the world, right? Well of course, it does depend on the individual preference in flavour, but some of the more renowned Craft spirit brands from around the world are as follows:

Williams Chase – Distilled in Hereford in England, this manufacturer first started off with creating Vodka and soon created their own line of fine, stylish and innovative gins, using carefully selected botanicals to enhance the flavour and aroma. Their more popular flavours include Williams Elegant 48, Williams Chase GB Extra Dry and Williams Chase Flavoured. 

The Botanist Islay Dry Gin – A spectacular drink made in Scotland, and best suited for the Gin connoisseur, it is a praiseworthy artisan beverage that has quickly become a favourite among many. The Botanist offers some complex flavoured varieties with core botanicals such as juniper, angelica root, cassia bark, cinnamon bark, coriander seeds, lemon peel, liquorice root, orange peel, and orris root and an infusion of foraged botanicals such as apple mint, bog myrtle, chamomile, creeping thistle, downy birch, elder, gorse, hawthorn, heather, juniper, lady's bedstraw, lemon balm, meadowsweet, mugwort, red clover, spearmint, sweet cicely, tansy, water mint, white clover, wild thyme, and wood sage. This distiller is able to balance the botanical flavours so well that this Craft Gin does not show any dominant flavourings, but is a unique creation that you won’t find anywhere else. 

Bloom – Manufactured in North West England, it is one of the world’s oldest distilleries that brags of a woman’s touch that has brought it to great heights in the world of artisan Gins. Blooms boasts of floral accents and are one of the few producers to have mastered this craft. Whatever your preference may be, you will definitely want to sample this one. Some of the dominant flavours of Blooms are Juniper, Chamomile and Honeysuckle, rounded off with other botanical flavours. 

St. George’s Spirits – St. George’s has become a leader in Craft spirits in America, using pine and other botanicals such as juniper, lemon peel, lime peel, as well as spices such as cardamom, cilantro and cinnamon, to name but a few. Their most loved benerages include Terroir Gin, Botanivore and Dry Rye. 

Leopold Brothers – Starting as a brewery in Denver, Colarado, USA, they have soon turned to the distilling business with some handcrafted artisan spirits, creating three very distinct styles of the beverage for the discerning Gin lover. These include Leopold’s American Small Batch, Leopold’s Navy Strength American and Leopold’s Summer featuring blood oranges, lemon myrtle and immortal flowers combined with Juniper to create a brilliant summer flavour.