The Botanical Spirit
How Gin Is Made
A symphony of botanicals transformed through the magic of distillation, discover how juniper and its aromatic companions create the world's most versatile spirit.
Juniper
Essential Botanical
6-12+
Typical Botanicals
37.5-47%
Typical ABV
None
Aging Required
The Production Process
From neutral spirit to botanical masterpiece
The Base Spirit
Starting with Neutral Spirit
Unlike whisky, gin starts with a neutral spirit, typically made from grain (wheat, barley, or corn), though some use grapes. This spirit is distilled to high purity, creating a blank canvas for the botanicals to shine.
💡 Fun fact: The base spirit is often distilled up to about 96% ABV (very neutral alcohol) so the botanicals can express themselves clearly.
Botanical Selection
The Gin's DNA
By legal definition (e.g., EU/UK), gin must be juniper-flavoured, with juniper as the predominant character. Beyond juniper, distillers create their unique recipes from dozens of possible botanicals: coriander seeds, angelica root, citrus peels, orris root, liquorice, cardamom, and many more exotic ingredients.
💡 Fun fact: Some premium gins contain over 30 different botanicals. Others, like Hendrick's, are famous for unusual additions like cucumber and rose.
Infusion Methods
Extracting Flavor
There are two main methods: steeping (soaking botanicals directly in the spirit, like making tea) and vapor infusion (passing alcohol vapor through a botanical basket). Some distillers use both, treating delicate and robust botanicals differently.
💡 Fun fact: In vapor infusion, the botanicals never touch the liquid, the steam carries their essence. This creates lighter, more floral notes.
Distillation
The Final Transformation
The botanical-infused spirit is redistilled in copper pot stills. As with whisky, only the 'heart' of the run is kept. The distiller's skill lies in knowing exactly when to make the cuts to capture the perfect balance of flavors.
💡 Fun fact: Some gins are distilled in tiny stills of just 50 litres. Others use massive 3,000-litre copper pots. Size affects the final character.
Proofing & Bottling
Ready to Drink
The concentrated distillate is diluted with pure water to drinking strength (typically 40-47% ABV). Unlike whisky, most gin doesn't require aging, it's ready to enjoy immediately after bottling.
💡 Fun fact: Navy Strength gin (57% ABV) got its name because at that proof, gunpowder soaked in it would still ignite, important for sailors!
The Botanical Cast
Meet the key players in gin's flavor profile
Juniper
The Star
Essential by law. Provides pine, resin, and slight sweetness.
Coriander
The Wingman
Second most common. Adds citrus and spice notes.
Angelica Root
The Binder
Helps marry other flavors together. Earthy and dry.
Orris Root
The Fixative
From iris flowers. Fixes and extends other aromas.
Citrus Peels
The Brightener
Lemon, orange, grapefruit, yuzu, adds freshness and lift.
Cardamom
The Exotic
Warm spice that adds complexity and depth.
Styles of Gin
From classic London Dry to modern craft innovations
London Dry
Despite the name, it can be made anywhere. Defined by method, not location: no artificial flavors, natural botanicals only, and all flavoring added during distillation.
Try: Beefeater, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire
Old Tom
A historic style that bridges the gap between London Dry and Dutch Genever. Slightly sweeter and more rounded, popular in Victorian era cocktails.
Try: Hayman's Old Tom, Jensen's Old Tom
Genever
The Dutch ancestor of gin, made with a malty base spirit. More whiskey-like in character with less juniper dominance. Protected by EU designation.
Try: Bols Genever, Rutte
New Western/Contemporary
Modern gins that push boundaries, sometimes de-emphasizing juniper in favor of other botanicals like cucumber, rose, or unusual citrus.
Try: Hendrick's, The Botanist, Monkey 47
Navy Strength
Bottled at 57% ABV or higher. Originally for naval use, at this proof, spilled gin wouldn't prevent gunpowder from igniting. Bold and assertive.
Try: Plymouth Navy Strength, Perry's Tot
Sloe Gin
Technically a liqueur, made by infusing gin with sloe berries (blackthorn fruit) and sugar. Deep red color with almond and berry notes.
Try: Sipsmith Sloe, Plymouth Sloe
Did You Know?
Delightful gin facts and stories
The G&T's Medicinal Origins
British colonials in India added gin to their daily quinine (anti-malaria tonic) to make it palatable. They added lime too, preventing scurvy. The G&T was essentially a health drink!
Bathtub Gin Wasn't Made in Bathtubs
During Prohibition, homemade gin was too tall to fit under a sink tap, so producers used bathtub taps to add water. The term refers to the dilution method, not the production vessel!
Mother's Ruin
In 1700s London, gin was cheaper than beer and led to widespread social problems. William Hogarth's famous 'Gin Lane' print depicted the crisis, leading to strict regulation.
The Juniper Rule
For a spirit to be called 'gin,' juniper must be the predominant flavor. This is true across the EU, US, and most of the world. No juniper? It's not legally gin.
47 Botanicals
Monkey 47, from Germany's Black Forest, uses exactly 47 handpicked ingredients. Each adds something unique to what's considered one of the world's most complex gins.
Cucumber and Rose
Hendrick's revolutionary use of cucumber and rose petals in 1999 helped launch the craft gin boom. They're added after distillation, not during.
Ready to Explore Gins?
From classic London Dry to modern botanical creations, discover your perfect gin in our collection.