Use up a bottle of dry gin with our easiest ever cocktail ideas. This versatile spirit can be used in everything from classic G&Ts to martinis and more.
Gin is more popular than ever, so it’s a good time to learn some simple serving options to take it to another dimension. You don’t need any fancy equipment for these speedy gin cocktails – even a jam jar will do as a shaker. It’s all about the love you put into the preparation. For more inspiration, see our top 10 fruity gin cocktails and best pink gin cocktails. Banish dinner fatigue Download the Good Food app and you’ll never run out of ideas – we serve up brand-new recipes and curated meal plans every week. Get 3 months for 99p View Green Video on the source website How to make a gin cocktail The key to making drinks is the balance between sweet and sour/bitter. Try not to let one element overpower the other Taste your drinks before you serve If serving over ice, fill your glass to the top with it Ensure your garnish is fresh and stacked close to the straws Remember that we drink in three steps: with our eyes first, then with our nose and finally with our mouth As a general rule, we recommend using 50ml gin for each cocktail unless otherwise stated. If using a liqueur, reduce this to 40ml gin and use 10ml liqueur. Balance 20ml fresh citrus juice with 15ml sugar syrup that’s been made from equal parts sugar and water (you’ll find a recipe at the bottom of the page). Top 10 quick and easy gin cocktails 1. Bramble You'll need: 40ml gin 20ml sugar syrup 20ml lemon juice 10ml crème de mure berries or lemon zest, to garnish Tip the gin, sugar syrup and lemon juice together in a shaker, then pour this over crushed ice and drizzle with the crème de mure. Garnish with lemon zest or fresh seasonal berries. 2. French 75 You'll need: 30ml gin 20ml lemon juice 10ml sugar syrup champagne lemon zest ice Pour the lemon juice, sugar syrup and gin into a cocktail shaker then fill up with ice. Shake well then strain into a champagne flute. Top with a little champagne, leave to settle (as it will bubble up) then fill up with more champagne. Swirl gently with a cocktail stirrer then garnish with a strip of lemon zest if you like. 3. Elderflower collins If you’ve not made your own elderflower cordial, you can buy it from most big supermarkets. You'll need: 50ml gin 20ml lemon juice 10ml sugar syrup 10ml elderflower cordial soda water, for topping up herb sprigs, to garnish Shake the gin with the lemon juice, sugar and a dash of elderflower cordial in a cocktail shaker. Pour over rock ice and top up with soda water. Garnish with a sprig of your favourite herb. 4. Sloe gin fizz Give wonderfully wintry sloe gin a mean cocktail kick. You'll need: 50ml sloe gin 20ml lemon juice 15ml sugar syrup 1 rosemary sprig 20ml egg whites Shake together the sloe gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, a rosemary sprig and the egg whites in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain, remove the ice, return the mixture to the shaker and shake without ice to ensure maximum froth. Serve in a wine glass. 5. Negroni You'll need: 25ml gin 25ml sweet vermouth 25ml Campari 1 strip of peeled orange zest Pour the gin, vermouth and Campari into a rocks glass filled with ice. Stir until it is diluted to your taste, then twist the orange peel over the glass to release the oils and drop it into the drink before serving. 6. Martini You'll need: 60ml gin dry vermouth, to taste 1 strip of lemon peel, to garnish Stir the gin with as much dry vermouth you like: the more you use the more herbal it will be. Stir until diluted to your taste. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel. 7. Gimlet You'll need: 50ml gin 25ml cordial of your choice (we used lime) lime slice, to garnish (optional) Stir together the gin and cordial, then continue to stir until diluted to your taste and serve in a coupe glass garnished with a lime slice, if you like. 8. Pink gin spritz Beautifully delicate and floral, this is ideal for an al fresco gathering. You'll need: handful of ice 50ml rose-flavoured gin 35ml lychee liqueur sparkling water, for topping up Fill a highball glass with ice, then pour over the gin and lychee liqueur. Top up with sparkling water. 9. G&T The headline act. A gin and tonic evolves into something far more complex with the right twists. You’ll need: gin tonic water lime slice, to garnish (optional) Make a classic G&T by combining one part gin with two parts tonic, then garnish with a lime slice, if you like (or, use cucumber slices, herb sprigs or berries). See our more unique cocktail ideas with our 10 gin & tonics with a twist guide or discover even more inspiration with our gin & tonic recipe collection. 10. Floral gin pitcher Make this summery floral gin pitcher to serve a crowd in summer. You’ll need: 300ml dry gin 120ml elderflower liqueur 90ml rose syrup 150ml freshly squeezed red grapefruit juice, plus grapefruit slices to serve tonic water, for topping up ice rosemary sprig, to garnish Tip some ice into a large pitcher and stir in the gin, elderflower liqueur, rose syrup and grapefruit juice. Top up with tonic water and stir, then garnish with grapefruit slices and a rosemary sprig. Quick sugar syrup recipe Combine one part sugar and one part water in a pan and heat over a low heat, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Leave to cool slightly, then pour into a sterilised glass jar and seal. This can also be flavoured with herbs, citrus zest and spices, if you like. More on gin The best gins - taste tested The best classic gins - taste tested Video: How to make your own sloe gin 10 gin and tonics with a twist Our favourite gin cocktail recipes All you need to know about gin Gin and tonic recipe collection The best sloe gin recipes How do you like your gin? Leave a comment below...
Bored of the same old gin & tonic? Try these 10 ways to spruce up your old favourite, transforming it from an average tipple into a classy cocktail.
When served correctly, gin & tonic sounds, looks, smells and tastes irresistible. But, if you want to take it to another level, the magnificent blueprint can be adapted easily. These 10 simple serving suggestions use liqueur and fresh ingredients to complement the spirit and mixer combination. Discover our top 10 easy gin cocktails and how to make gin. Unveil the simplicity of elegance with our gin and tonic ingredients, the key to crafting timeless, refreshing drinks, we recommend a 50ml serving of gin (if other spirit is added, decrease the amount of gin appropriately) and a 100ml serving of tonic water. This is 1:2 parts in cocktail terms. Use a nice long glass or even better, a large Spanish-style copa glass with a stem and a big mouth (any decent wine glasses will work for this). Fill the glass right to the top with some good quality ice and use straws if you wish. All tonic should be Indian tonic unless stated otherwise. 10 ways to makeover gin & tonic 1. The Parisian Take a herbal gin and pour a tablespoon of elderflower liqueur in. Add equal parts tonic water and champagne, garnish with a slapped sage leaf or two and a lemon wedge to create the perfect gin and tonic drink. 2. Too cool Use a gin with fresh cucumber notes and pair with an elderflower flavoured tonic then garnish with long ribbons of cucumber and a sprig of mint. 3. Sbagliato-nic Mix equal parts of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari in a lowball glass, spritz it up with a tonic top and garnish with a big, juicy wedge of orange. 4. Posh G&T Take a vibrant, citrussy gin and add a tablespoon of sweet vermouth. Add two dashes of peach bitters, top with tonic and garnish with a generous handful of luscious seasonal berries. 5. Sloe down Sloe gin combines ridiculously well with lemon tonic, flirt with a zest of lemon over the glass and drop it in. Fancy making your own? Try our sloe gin recipe. 6. Ol’ smokey Marry a juniper-heavy gin with half a teaspoon of a super smokey whiskey. Add a dash of apricot liqueur and top with tonic, garnish with a chunky pink grapefruit zest. 7. Tonic delight Select a floral gin and add a tablespoon of rose water, a tablespoon of peach liqueur and a two dashes of grapefruit bitters. Go demure on the garnish and top with a rose petal. 8. Guilty pleasure Pour a herbal-style gin and grab a few leaves of fresh mint, slap them and drop them in. Pop in two dashes of mint bitters and a tablespoon of chocolate liqueur. Introduce the tonic then garnish with a few sprigs of mint and some luxurious grated dark chocolate. 9. Stuck in the Med Pick up some intriguing herbaceous gin and introduce it to a Mediterranean-style tonic. Rim your glass with some herbed sea salt, slap some fresh rosemary and stand it tall in the glass. 10. The evolver Make some flavoured aqua by boiling some herbs in water for a minute or two. Let the water cool then freeze the water and add the ice cubes to a classic gin and tonic – the drink's flavour profile will evolve throughout the drinking. Garnish with the matching herbs for that extra special touch. Love G&T? Try these guides and recipes How to make the perfect gin & tonic Gin & tonic recipe collection 5 ways with gin & tonic The 8 best gin glasses for serving a G&T How to make flavoured gin What is a gin and tonic What to mix with gin instead of tonic Gin with tonic water How do you serve your G&T? Do you like to keep things simple or do our cocktail makeovers float your boat? We have lots more liquid inspiration in our cocktails & drinks section too.
Gin expert and award-winning bartender Leon Dalloway tests out the best traditional and classic gin to buy, from Sipsmith and Tanqueray to historic Plymouth Gin
Gin is officially the spirit of the moment, with an unstoppable rise in new wave, artisan brands reawakening the nation’s love for this traditional spirit. As well as contemporary new distilleries creating innovative small batch gin and wacky flavours, traditional brands are thriving, and these established products won’t let you down. Whilst we love a flavoured gin for fun new styles and creating bold cocktails, sometimes you just want a simple G&T with a top quality 'plain' gin. These let the traditional aromatics of gin shine and are perfect for those with a less sweet tooth. They're also still great for gin cocktails - use in drinks where the gin is providing the base spirit but you want other flavours to shine. Our drinks expert Leon Dalloway has picked classic bottles that every gin lover should know about and have on standby in their drinks collection. Some of these brands have been making gin for over 200 years and have recipes shrouded in secrecy for spirits you know you can trust. Bottles range in price from £19 to a super-luxury £75 bottle that a gin connoisseur won't be able to resist. Read on for these top picks. Looking for more like this? Check out our reviews section for over 400+ reviews, including more expert taste tests such as the top 5 most unusual gins we've tried, plus round ups of the best pink, sloe, citrus and rhubarb gin, plus gift guides like the best letterbox gifts to order online. Best classic gins at a glance Best overall classic gin: Hayman's London Dry Gin, £21 Best historic classic gin: Plymouth Gin, £20 Best budget classic gin: Tanqueray London Dry Gin, £18.99 Best Italian classic gin: Engine Gin, £27.75 Best navy strength classic gin: Sipsmith VJOP, £39.69 Best spiced plain gin: Pickering's 1947 gin, £37.95 Best Old Tom-style gin: Jensen's Old Tom gin, £30.75 Best premium classic gin: Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength, £36.95 Best rare classic gin: Beefeater Burrough's Reserve, £76 Best classic gins to buy 2023 Hayman’s London Dry Gin undefined Best overall classic gin As a descendant of the family that created Beefeater Gin, Christopher Hayman knows a thing or two about our beloved juniper juice. The Hayman family have developed a quality range of gins, but it’s their London Dry that roars from the hymn sheet. The juniper stands proud alongside the citrus embodying a true classic flavour profile. This makes a lip-smacking G&T. Latest Deals Plymouth Gin undefined Best historic classic gin The Blackfriars distillery is as iconic for the City of Plymouth as the bottle of Plymouth Gin is for the bartender. The distillery has stood in the old Blackfriars since 1793 and the stills remain firing. Plymouth Dry sings with juniper vigour and brings citrus and cardamom to the party. A Martini made with Plymouth gin is one of life’s true pleasures. undefined Tanqueray London Dry Gin Available from Waitrose Cellar (£22), Master of Malt (£21.49), Amazon (£22) Best budget classic gin The shape of this world-renowned bottle is inspired by a cocktail shaker, making Tanqueray an immediate hit with the home bartenders amongst us. The recipe is on a secure lockdown – a shrouded secret never to be told. Word on the street is it contains no citrus and only four botanicals. Its strength of 43.1% ABV in the UK ensures it’s a key player in the make-up of any drink it’s used in. Available from: Waitrose Cellar (£22) Master of Malt (£21.49) Amazon (£22) Engine Gin Available from The Whisky Exchange (£27.75), Amazon (£26), Tesco (£33.50) When you think of alcohol from Italy, you'll probably think of wine – but now you should be thinking of gin too. Produced in northern Italy with 100% organic Italian ingredients, the botanicals include locally grown sage, Sicilian lemons and juniper berries from Tuscany. The result is fresh and crisp. The unique fuel can-inspired packaging makes for a fun gift, too. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£27.75) Amazon (£26) Tesco (£33.50) Sipsmith V.J.O.P Latest Deals Best navy strength classic gin This bottle is the pièce de résistance of master distiller Jared Brown’s flavour-making career. Triple-macerated juniper and a navy strength ABV of 57% would have you thinking the V.J.O.P (which stands for ‘very junipery over proof’) will blow your head off, but the genius of it is that it tastes smooth and goes down oh-so easily. Latest Deals Pickering’s 1947 Available from Master of Malt (£37.95) Best spiced plain gin This gin derives from a tale of discovery. Through a touch of well-timed luck, a close friend of the Pickering’s founders procured a historic recipe with roots in 1947 Bombay around the same time as the distillery was under construction. This warming, considered, spiced gin with a cosy hug of cinnamon takes control of your drink and offers you a little glimpse of the past. Available from: Master of Malt (£37.95) Jensen’s Old Tom Latest Deals Best Old Tom-style gin Old Tom was a style of gin resigned to a place in the annals of history until its recent resurgence. Bermondsey was an area of London designated to the distillery graveyard, so who stood in better stead than the Bermondsey Distillery to lead the Old Tom renaissance? Traditionally Old Toms are slightly sweeter but you’ll find that Jensen’s is still dry with vegetal and menthol notes running through. Charge your Tom Collins with this, then take up a seat in your favourite easy chair, put on a record… sorted. Latest Prices Martin Miller's Westbourne Strength Latest Deals Best premium classic gin Launched as the first super-premium gin in 1999, Martin Miller’s wanted to do something a little different. They added cucumber as an ingredient and also focused on the water used in diluting their gin. They decided the naturally mineralised water of Iceland was the right route to tread, enabling them to create a fresh and delicious gin. Martin Miller’s is distilled in two batches – one is made with juniper and spices and the other citrus, and they’re then blended. The Westbourne sits at 45.2% ABV too. Latest Prices Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve Available from Waitrose Cellar (£76) Best rare classic gin Distilled in Beefeater’s mystical still number 12 to Beefeater founder James Burrough’s original 1860 recipe, this baby breaks the mould. The production process takes it low and slow, and after distillation the gin is placed in oak casks. This isn’t just any old wood though – the barrels previously housed Lillet vermouth. The resting accentuates the spiciness of the gin while mellowing it so it’s velvety to the sip. No need to mix here. Just pour the gin, light the fire, rock that chair and enjoy reaching gin nirvana. Available from: Waitrose Cellar (£76) Related gin reviews 20 best gins to buy as a gift Best flavoured gins Best gin subscriptions Best rhubarb gins Best sloe gins Best citrus gins Best pink gins This review was last updated in May 2023. Do you have a favourite bottle of gin? Let us know if you think we’ve missed something off our list…
The UK produces excellent gin, but did you know there are distilleries around the world creating fantastic products? Drinks expert Leon Dalloway brings you his top best global gins – read on to discover your next favourite bottle.
The gin revolution continues apace and fans of this phenomenally popular spirit now have a whole world of products to discover, from classic bottles to flavoured versions like sloe and pink gin. Despite gin feeling like a quintessentially British product, it is in fact Holland that's credited as the birthplace of this spirit. Regardless of its origins, gin is now being produced to a fantastic standard across the globe and, thanks to worldwide shipping, is available for us all to try. There's Australian gins inspired by the coastline, German gins giving back to African charities and American gins led by A-listers. Drinks expert Leon Dalloway give us his must-try bottles of gin from distilleries across the world. Read on to find the perfect bottle for you. For more like this, visit our reviews section and find over 400 practical buyer's guides, including taste tests of whisky, vodka, rum, brandy and more. Looking for a memorable gift? Check out our picks of the top 5 most unusual gins we've tried, including gin infused with parmesan or apple crumble... We also have reviews of gin glasses plus expert gin taste tests, including round-ups of the best pink, sloe, citrus and rhubarb gin, plus gift guides like the best letterbox gifts to order online. Best gin to buy from around the world at a glance Best classic Australian gin: Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, £34.94 Best herbal American gin: St George Terroir gin, £34.25 Best Japanese gin: The Kyoto Distillery Ki No Bi dry gin, £45.95 Best Irish gin: Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin, £33.74 Best coastal Australian gin: Manly Spirits Australian Dry gin, £39.95 Best complex German gin: Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, £40.75 Best celebrity American gin: Aviation American Dry Gin, £28 Best charitable German gin: Elephant Dry Gin, £32.45 Best high-strength Australian gin: Never Never Southern Strength Gin, £31.95 Best gin to buy from around the world 2023 Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin Best classic Australian gin Drive east out of Melbourne for 45 minutes and you'll find yourself in the windy roads of the Yarra Valley. Swing around a corner into Healesville and, bam, the Four Pillars Distillery appears like a big gin mirage in a forest of vines. It makes exceptional liquid here. The headline act is the Rare Dry Gin which sits at 41.8 ABV and harnesses native Aussie botanicals such as finger lime and lemon myrtle. However don’t forget about its Shiraz gin, it’s as good as it sounds. Serve the Rare Dry with Fever-Tree Med Tonic and half a finger lime. St George Terroir gin Best herbal American gin Situated in an ex-US Navy airport hanger over the water from San Francisco, St George has been doing things excellently since it bought the site off the original founder, a German expat with a penchant for eau de vie. The Terroir smells and tastes like a forest - the use of Douglas Fir elevating this gin to a special level. Serve with Indian tonic and garnish with rosemary for the crispest G&T that side of the Atlantic. The Kyoto Distillery Ki No Bi dry gin Latest Deals Best Japanese gin In Ki No Bi, The Kyoto Distillery has set out to create the perfect gin, using everything in its power to create something stunning and unique. The botanicals are picked in season and vacuum packed, then grouped and distilled in batches where they're most harmonious. They're rare, native (hinoki and yuzu) and flavoursome. Even the water is a step ahead of most gins. It's not demineralised and therefore has flavour, yet is beautifully pure. I like this drink as a highball with soda and something aromatic. Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin Latest Deals Best Irish gin Originally Glendalough launched a range of seasonal gins which got the gin world humming. Once it had captured people’s attention, it released this beauty. At Glendalough, which houses one of the most picturesque loughs in Ireland, it employs a local forager to collect native ingredients, which is quite exceptional, even in the world of gin. These include red clover, yarrow, oxeye daisy, wild raspberry, blackberry leaves, wild rose, watermint, sweet woodruff, lemon balm, sweet cicely, lady’s bedstraw and bell heather - quite a bouquet! The Wild Botanical gin gives you a real taste or Ireland (beyond the black stuff). Served wonderfully in a Negroni. Latest Deals Manly Spirits Australian Dry gin Latest Deals Best coastal Australian gin Manly is home to one of the best beach communities on the planet. It’s had surf culture since the 60s and now it has gin culture too. The Australian Dry uses sea lettuce from the Northern Beaches (picked at low tide by the Manly Spirits team), Tasmanian mountain pepper leaf and Australian anise myrtle to give it the native vibe. Another belter from the Manly team is its Coastal Citrus, which uses various citrus tasting botanicals to impart a one-off zesty flavour profile. Oh and finally, it produces a coffee liqueur. Well, Aussies love coffee, right? Serve the Aussie dry in a mixed citrus Collins with a dash of bitters for a variation on the Aussie classic Lemon Lime & Bitters. Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin Latest Deals Best complex German gin Question: How do you balance 47 botanicals and make a gin taste good? Answer: German engineering (and flair). That’s exactly what Monkey 47 has done. The distiller balances 47 native and global herbs, spices and citrus for a stunning finish, which still holds true to the key botanical – juniper. It's more complex than most gins and needs to be treated with skill but once that’s done it releases its full; potential. Monkey 47 is in part responsible for the global gin renaissance, being one of the gateway gins for people going from the mainstream to the underground. Serve as a Martini with a slapped sage leaf. Aviation American Dry Gin Latest Deals Best celebrity American gin Yes, if you hadn’t noticed, gin has just got its first celebrity owner. Step aside Diddy and Clooney, Reynolds of the Ryan variety is in town. I think we struck gold with our celebrity, but more importantly, the liquid he purveys is delicious. Distilled in Portland, which is stateside nirvana for everything that is craft, and made from a rye base, Aviation is a hybrid gin with a classic botanical mix. It works well in old-time classics such as a Martinez or a Tom Collins. The name is inspired by a classic cocktail, so when you next see this bottle in a bar why not order an Aviation made with Aviation? Latest Deals Elephant Dry Gin Latest Deals Best charitable German gin Elephant Gin gives 15% of its profits to two elephant foundations in Africa. So you’re drinking gin while doing good for wildlife. That’s reason enough. Built by a couple in Germany and starting life in an Eau de Vie distillery, the gin is delicate and unique. It uses some native African botanicals such as Devil’s Claw, Lion’s Tail and the baobab fruit. Then there’s elderflower and apple giving it some European flavour too. Try the Elephant Strength if you like your gin even stronger. Serve it in a Bramble for a party classic. Never Never Southern Strength Gin Latest Deals Best high-strength Australian gin South Australia is a wine paradise, and these days where there is wine, there is gin. Never Never Distilling is at the forefront of a new wave of Aussie gins, however, it has stayed true to tradition with its award-winning varieties. For those who love Tanqueray 10, Plymouth or something similarly flavoured, this liquid is for you. It’s a classic gin with a big ABV (52%). In November 2019 the makers moved into a brand new, all-singing, all-dancing distillery with visitor centre in the Mclaren Vale. Southern Strength is served best in a Martini, I like it garnished with something savoury to snack on. But that’s me. Latest Deals The best gin, tried and tested The best gin to buy as a gift The best pink gin The best sloe gin The best classic gin The best flavoured gin This review was last updated in May 2023.
The best whisky from around the world: single malts and blends
Whisky – or whiskey, depending on where it's from – is a complex spirit with bags of flavour. We round up the best bottles from peaty Scotch to Japanese single malts.
From grain to glass, whisky (or whiskey, if it's Irish or American) is a spirit that’s crossed continents and broken down borders, and each place imparts a unique quality to its flavour profile. Here, we bring you a list of the best from around the world, including Scotland, Ireland, America and Japan, with something to suit every palate. It’s not the definitive whisky list of must-haves, rather a suggestion of stone cold classics and hip newcomers. One thing they have in common is that they’re all extremely tasty. A note on buying imported whisky in the UK: Where possible, we’ve linked to where you can buy direct from the distillery, but where this is not the case, a quick web search will bring up options from online drinks specialists, nationwide supermarkets or global marketplace sites. (Prices are for 70cl.) The best whiskies from around the world Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select, 43.2% ABV, blend, Kentucky, USA A relatively new bourbon, yet one housed in the longest-serving distillery in Kentucky. A firm favourite with bartenders and purists alike, Woodford Reserve delivers a richness and depth to savour, the late sweetness makes it perfect for cocktails. This is a perfect choice for beginners. Look out for the Master’s Collection bottlings, too. undefined Nikka from the Barrel, 51.4% ABV, blend, Japan At a bottling strength of over 50% ABV, this Japanese number packs a punch – however, it rolls with the punches in grand style. It's strength means Nikka believe only master blenders can detect subtle variances within the aroma, but add a touch of water and this drink will come alive. undefined Balvenie 17-year, Doublewood, 43% ABV, single malt, Speyside, Scotland The toast of Speyside is double-matured and cask finished. It receives an American oak and European sherry oak maturation, which delivers all the dried fruit and vanilla notes a whisky lover could hope for. Balvenie remains independently owned and unique in its self-sufficiency. The Scottish distillery grow their own barley and malt and cover every stage of the whisky-making process themselves. Everything under one roof. Latest Deals Ardbeg 10 year, 46% ABV, single malt, Islay, Scotland Ardbeg has won best single malt in the world multiple times. Ardbeg 10 is a compulsory lesson in smoked whisky. Visit Islay on the West of Scotland and you’ll land in whisky nirvana. On this small strip of land, numerous legendary distilleries bring their products alive with the addition of smoked peat. It's almost impossible to pick just one, but Ardbeg 10 is a champion. The distillery even sent its whisky to space! In a whirlwind of smoke, rich tobaccos and coffee, it delivers on every level. Be prepared however, this is not a dram for the faint-hearted. undefined Compass Box Hedonism, 43% ABV, blend, various, Scotland Blended Scotch, forever the bridesmaid and never the bride. However, this number has everything you could ask for. It’s 100% grain, made from blending different Scottish whiskies, aged in American oak. Hedonism has heady toffee and coffee nuances with a touch of coconut, amazing. undefined FEW Bourbon, 46.5% ABV, blend, Illinois, USA Hailing from Evanston, Illinois – a place that was dry for over a century – FEW is a spirit with light, bouncy characteristics. A blend of corn, rye and malt, it’s a true cocktail bourbon. Mix it with sweet red vermouth, a dash of bitters and some ice and it reveals its full potential. We also like it's tongue-in-cheek name – Frances Elizabeth Ward was a staunch supporter of prohibition and played a big part in keeping Evanston dry. Latest Deals Redbreast Cask Strength 12, 59.9% ABV, Ireland An Irish spirit that boasts more character than most (thanks to its distilling process in pot stills), it's dark, rich and strong. At 59.9% ABV, you may need to add a touch of water, but this big, complex drink is a noteworthy reminder of how Irish whiskey is in the midst of a renaissance. Latest Deals Powers John’s Lane 12 year old, 46% ABV, single still blended barrels, Ireland A delicious, chewy whiskey which rests in ex-bourbon and ‘Oloroso’ fortified wine casks. It’s named after the original Powers distillery on John’s Lane in Dublin, as a homage to the early days of the brand. Spice and honey marry together with some deep charred wood to fortify the notion that Irish whiskey is back with a bang. Latest Deals Whisky or whiskey? Is it whisky or whiskey? We explain the difference between the two here. More on spirits... The best rum The best bourbon The best artisan gins The best traditional gins 10 spirits to buy to stay on-trend Best whiskey glasses Which whisk(e)y do you drink? We'd love to hear your product suggestions. This review was last updated in August 2020.
Whisky or whiskey: What’s the difference?
What’s the difference between whisky and whiskey? Drinks expert Leon Dalloway tells us what word you should use when by explaining the geography of the spirit.
The world of whisky is full of buzzwords and terminology, from Scotch and single malts, to bourbons and blends. But one point that causes much confusion is the fact that the drink is sometimes spelled ‘whisky’ and at other times ‘whiskey’. So what’s the difference? ‘Whisky’ derives from the Gaelic term usquebaugh which translates as ‘water of life’. Uisge means water. Beatha means life. It’s a term used for many types of invigorating spirits over time, for example Eau de Vie. In modern usage, whisky is from Scotland and whiskey is from Ireland. The difference comes from the translation of words from the Scottish and Irish Gaelic forms. In the late 1800s, Scottish whisky was also very poor quality therefore the Irish producers wanted to differentiate their product. These days though, both Scotch and Irish are two of the greatest spirits on the planet. The American spelling is whiskey most likely due to the large number of Irish immigrants setting up their stills throughout the US. Although the legal spelling is whisky, whiskey is generally preferred. Some distilleries do like to use the ‘Scottish’ version – see Maker’s Mark. The Japanese spelling is whisky as it was two men’s study of Scotch whisky that inspired the Japanese whisky movement. More on whisk(e)y: Best whisky – top 10 buys Best bourbon – top 10 buys 10 ways to cook with whisky
Drinks expert Leon Dalloway sips his way through a selection of the best new-wave, artisan gins to find his must-buy bottles, complete with tasting notes.
Gin is a worldwide phenomenon. It’s on the lips of bar-goers and drink lovers everywhere as it enjoys a resolute renaissance. The juniper elixir is now produced in all corners of the globe and the gin industry is absolutely thriving in the UK. Here I’ve picked my favourite gins, and I’ve focused on what makes each gin unique. The botanicals I discuss are ingredients that showcase the variety of the drink in the modern age. All gins must use juniper and most also use citrus peels along with some spices – hopefully, once you read about the other components, you’ll find the right gin for you. For more unbiased expert buyer's guides, visit our reviews section to find 200+ round-ups including taste tests of rum, vodka, whisky, plus the best gins to buy as a gift and plenty more gin inspiration. The best gin to buy Warner Edwards Rhubarb Gin The flavoured gin to end all other flavoured gins. For this version, Tom Warner and Sion Edwards take their classic Harrington Dry Gin and instead of diluting the distillate with water they use pressed Queen Victoria rhubarb juice. Sound utterly delicious? It is, with a royal stamp of approval to boot. Latest Deals Manchester Three Rivers Gin Manchester Three Rivers only started producing tasty liquid in 2016. A stone’s throw away from Manchester’s Northern Quarter, master distiller Dave Rigby has produced a gin of intrigue and ease. It harnesses a creaminess that has the nostalgic nose of a Murray Mint. Rigby adds oats to a traditional selection of botanicals that serves to offer a smooth mouthfeel. Best when stirred with a touch of dry vermouth and an olive (or three). Latest Deals Burleigh’s London Dry Gin You can find Burleighs Distillery near the Burleigh Wood in Leicestershire. Creator Jamie Baxter was wandering through the woods and struck gold in the form of the silver birch tree, which he combines with elderberry, dandelion and burdock to create a gin that soars with a eucalyptus and menthol flavour profile. Baxter and his team frequently roll out special editions, so keep your eyes peeled. Silent Pool Gin Made in the Albury Estate in the Surrey Hills, this gin takes its name from the mystical pool that the distillery resides beside. The gin is a sublime distillation using two distinct styles of juniper, then lavender, orange, pear, camomile, elderflower, Essex-grown kaffir lime leaves, linden flowers and rose petals, among others, adding a touch of excitement. This is a new gin making serious waves in the juniper world. Latest Deals St George Terroir Gin This distillery is situated in a former aircraft hangar over the bay from San Francisco. They produce gins, absinthe and a coffee liqueur, but the jewel in St George’s crown is their Terroir gin. It has a taste that’s as refreshing as fresh rainfall, and it features a hint of Douglas fir and all sorts of other delicious piney notes. A sip of this will have you feeling like you’re strolling through Yosemite National Park! East London Liquor Co Batch 2 Gin East London Liquor Company fired up their stills in the summer of 2014, and they wasted no time in announcing themselves to the world with this belter of a gin. Lavender, sage, fennel and thyme all provide lovely herbal flavours, producing an English summer garden style of gin, perfect for sunny afternoons and balmy evenings. Plus, it packs a delightful punch at 47% ABV. Elephant Gin Not only does this gin taste amazing, the owners give 15% of all profits to two charities that focus on elephant conservation. They use five botanicals native to Africa, including baobab, blended with more classic European-style botanicals such as elderflower and apple. Complex, yet distinct in delivery. Latest Deals Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin This gin uses a vacuum style of distillation which allows the process to occur at a much cooler temperature. This harnesses the lighter, more aromatic oils of the botanicals, which include camomile, elderflower and ginger, creating a harmonious balance of flavour that is difficult to produce at higher temperatures. The result is a stunningly well-balanced gin. Death’s Door Death’s Door distillery rip up the rule book by using only three botanicals. They solely use botanicals that grow wild on their native Washington Island in Lake Michigan: juniper, fennel and coriander seed. It’s simple yet beautiful. The dramatic name derives from the notoriously choppy body of water that passes by Washington Island. Latest Deals Spirit reviews The best rum The best bourbon The best artisan gins The best traditional gins 10 spirits to buy to stay on-trend Best sustainable spirits Gin cocktail recipes 10 gin cocktails you can make in minutes How to make the best martini All our top gin cocktail recipes What's your favourite gin? We'd love to hear your product suggestions in the comments below... This review was last updated in September 2020.