7 Different Styles Of Gin

Gin is one of the most versatile spirits in the world. It has a wide range of flavours and can be used for everything from cocktails to cooking. But most people are familiar with only one kind of gin—the London Dry style that dominates the market today.

Contents

Barrel-Aged Gin

Barrel-aged gin like Mountain gin is a type of gin that’s been aged in a wooden barrel. It’s more expensive than regular gin and has a complex flavour profile, making it popular among connoisseurs.

The process of barrel aging involves putting the spirit into an oak barrel and letting it sit there for several months to years. The wood absorbs the flavours of the spirit, creating some interesting results depending on how long you leave it there.

London Dry Gin

London Dry Gin is the most popular style of gin, and it has a lot to offer. London Dry Gin is made in a continuous still, which means that it’s distilled at a low temperature for a longer period. This process produces more complex flavours from the botanicals used in making the spirit.

Navy Strength Gin

Navy Strength Gin is a higher-proof version of regular gin. It’s stronger than most gins and a bit more robust and full-bodied. The name comes from the British Royal Navy, who would use it in their daily drinks. These days it’s used less for medicinal purposes and more for socialising.

New American Gin

New American Gin is a modern style of gin that’s made in the U.S., but it’s also known as “American Dry Gin”. It tends to have a neutral spirit base, which allows you to taste the botanicals used in its distillation more clearly than if they’d been diluted by alcohol. The classic New World method for making this type of gin is to infuse juniper berries with an array of other herbs and spices, from cinnamon sticks to rosemary needles.

Old Tom Gin

Old Tom Gin is the style of gin that was popular in the 18th century. It’s made by sweetening a neutral grain spirit with sugar, citrus and other flavourings. Old Tom is sweeter than most modern gins, but you can taste hints of juniper and other botanicals as well. Old Tom is best in cocktails such as a Martini or Negroni.

Genever

Genever is a style of gin that’s been distilled in Holland since the 17th century. It’s made from a mash of grains and malt, including wheat, rye and barley—as opposed to juniper berries—and goes through an extra distillation process called “mashing” before being aged in oak barrels for up to three years.

Sloe Gin

Sloe gin can be made with sloes from your garden or purchased at a store (or online). If you’re using homegrown fruit, first make sure they’re ripe by gently squeezing them between your fingers; if they feel soft and squishy inside their skins, they’re ready for picking! Then simply place them in clean jars with sugar and your favourite brand of London dry gin for several weeks until all the flavours have infused together into a delicious drink.

Gin comes in a range of styles and flavours to suit all preferences. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or more experimental, there’s bound to be a gin that suits your taste.

Related Articles