Gin and Joy: The Best Holiday Gifts for Gin Lovers

Gin continues to gain popularity on a global scale. According to Forbes, the formerly disparaged spirit currently has almost 6,000 brands throughout the world.
Gin has battled for decades to overcome the misconception that it is simply vodka with botanicals, even if it isn't as controversial as the acquired tastes of a smoky mezcal or peated scotch. Gin is a lovely, aromatic, sophisticated, and approachable spirit that goes great alone or in a cocktail, as the gin enthusiast in your life can attest to.

Gin manufacturing in areas of the world that are not typically renowned for producing gin is largely to blame for the growth of brand names. Gin distillers from all over the world are turning to this genever-derived spirit, from Argentina to the Philippines and from African nations to Japan. Genever was first made in the Netherlands as a medicinal substance by distilling malted wine and then adding herbs. The malted wine was eliminated and extra juniper berries were added when the British adapted the drink. In the oldest definition of gin, which was written in British English, it was stipulated that the spirit must have a flavor that is mostly juniper-based and that it must be distilled from grains like wheat or barley.

Since its inception, gin has been known for its characteristic flavor of juniper berries. Modern gins, however, exhibit taste profiles from every category on the flavor wheel, including floral, fruity, spicy, nutty, herbaceous, mineral, and more. This is because the new generation of craft distilleries is less bound by tradition.
Technically, juniper berries still need to be considered one of the botanicals, although few nations really have laws requiring this, leaving that fight to the purists.

London Dry and Old Tom were two of the first fashion trends to appear.
Navy Strength, Barrel Aged, Plymouth, and New Western have all joined them.
Genever is still listed on some listings, but it's more of a parent than a sibling.
We've put up a list of designs that would make excellent gifts for gin drinkers because it's now the time of year to start thinking about gift giving.

London Dry

When considering gin cocktail alternatives, London Dry comes to mind.
It features well-known brands like Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire, and the rules are rather simple. Natural botanicals, mainly juniper berries, and neutral grain spirit make up the style. No artificial flavors or ingredients are allowed, and the designation is not region-specific; any distillery worldwide may create the style.

No.3 Gin from Holland is a newcomer to this category. It is such a superb illustration of the genre that it has four times taken home the Best in Class award from the International Spirits Challenge. With a combination of nine botanicals and a strong base of juniper and coriander, Fords Gin, also from England, creates a little more complicated spin on the genre. One of the most intriguing sipping gins in the world, The Botanist uses Islay's wild foraged botanicals. These gins are fantastic in martinis and gin & tonics.