Here’s a list of eight juniper-forward gins that have consistently won gold medals at international spirit competitions. These gins are celebrated for their bold juniper profiles, distinctive flavors, and craftsmanship. Their juniper-forward character makes them a classic expression of the London Dry style and an ideal base for a Gin & Tonic. Below is a overview of the gins and tasting notes.
Junipero Gin, 49.3% ABV, 750 ml. $32 (USA)
Produced by Hotaling & Co, previously Anchor Distilling Company in San Francisco, Junipero Gin has been a staple in the craft gin movement since 1996. It’s known for its bold juniper-forward flavor and has won multiple awards, including gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a prestigious event that recognizes the best spirits from around the world.
The gin is distilled in small batches using a traditional pot still, which helps concentrate the juniper flavors while preserving the complexity of the botanicals. The base spirit is made from malted barley, allowing the botanicals to shine through without interference from excessive sweetness and giving the gin a soft, creamy quality.
The gin is bold and aromatic on the nose with a pronounced juniper aroma and hints of pine, citrus zest, and pepper. The palate is dry, clean, and intense, with a robust juniper flavor complemented by citrus, herbs, and a touch of spice. The finish is long, dry, and crisp with lingering juniper and piney notes.
Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin, 40% ABV, 750 ml. $30 (England)
Beefeater 24, produced by Beefeater Distillery in London, is a premium London Dry Gin that emphasizes juniper with additional floral and citrus notes. It has won multiple gold medals, including at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The gin is distilled in a traditional copper pot still, using 12 botanicals, including Chinese green tea and Japanese sencha, alongside the classic juniper. It’s made from high-quality grain-neutral spirit, which showcases the botanicals.
On the nose, the gin presents a fragrant blend of juniper, citrus peel, and a subtle herbal aroma. It’s smooth and crisp on the palate, with a strong juniper presence, complemented by floral notes, a touch of spice, and citrus. The finish is long, clean, and refreshing, with the juniper’s dry, slightly bitter finish.
Tanqueray No. Ten, 47.3% ABV, 750 ml. $35 (England)
Tanqueray No. Ten, a premium variant of the classic Tanqueray gin, is renowned for its citrus-forward character yet maintains a prominent juniper backbone. It’s a gold medal winner at many competitions, including The Gin Masters.
The gin is distilled in small batches using a copper pot still and features four main botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root, and licorice. Using whole citrus fruits of grapefruit, lime, and orange adds complexity. The neutral grain spirit base allows the botanicals to shine.
The nose features juniper, citrus, and floral notes. On the palate, the juniper flavors are bolder and more assertive. They combine with smooth citrus notes, a hint of spice, and a slightly herbal undertone. The finish is crisp and silky, with a refreshing citrus note and a hint of juniper bitterness.
The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, 46% ABV, 750 ml. $39 (Scotland)
Produced by Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay, The Botanist is a rich, aromatic gin that stands out for its juniper-forward style. It has garnered gold awards at global competitions, including the International Spirits Challenge and the International Wine & Spirit Competition.
It’s distilled using a historic, 11,600-liter Lomond copper pot still and made with 31 botanicals, nine traditional ones, and 22 hand-foraged on Islay. A malted barley spirit base, typical for Islay whiskies, provides a richer mouthfeel.
The nose features fresh juniper complemented by citrus, herbs, and a slight earthiness from the Islay botanicals. The gin is smooth and herbaceous, featuring juniper, lavender, citrus, and spice flavors. The barley spirit leaves a slight sweetness, balancing the herbal notes. The finish is long and aromatic, with lingering juniper and herbal flavors.
Black Friars Distillery, Plymouth Gin, 41.25 ABV, 750 ml. $33 (England)
Plymouth Gin is a historically significant gin brand, produced in Plymouth, England, since 1793. It is known for its balanced juniper-forward style and has won numerous awards, including gold medals at the World Gin Awards.
The gin is made using a mix of pot still and column still distillation methods, which allows for the extraction of complex flavors. Plymouth gin uses a selection of botanicals, with juniper being the most prominent.
The nose features a rich juniper aroma with hints of citrus and earthy undertones. It’s a full-bodied gin on the palate, with a strong juniper presence, complemented by citrus zest and a slight sweetness. The finish is smooth and dry, with a crisp, clean finish.
For an even more intense version, try the Plymouth Navy Strength Gin. It has the same juniper-forward character but is bottled at 57% ABV. It retails for $44.
Sipsmith London Dry Gin, 41.6% ABV, 750 ml. $31 (England)
Sipsmith was one of the first distilleries to open in London in over 200 years. It has since become one of the UK’s most respected craft gin brands, winning multiple awards for its high-quality gins.
Distilled in a copper pot still, Sipsmith traditional methods to craft its London Dry Gin, focusing heavily on juniper and using eight botanicals on a neutral grain spirit base.
The nose features an intense juniper aroma and subtle citrus and floral notes. It’s crisp and dry on the palate, with juniper, lemon peel, and spice notes. The finish is clean and dry with lingering juniper and herbal flavors.
Hendrick’s Gin, 41.4% ABV, 750 ml. $36 (Scotland)
Hendrick’s Gin is an unconventional, award-winning gin from Scotland. Notwithstanding its use of infusions like cucumber and rose petals alongside traditional botanicals, the gin still features a pronounced juniper character. It’s distilled on a neutral grain base using two types of stills: a pot still and a Carter-Head still. This process imparts both depth and subtlety to the flavor profile.
The nose features a unique juniper blend with light cucumber and floral rose aromas. The gin is juniper-forward on the palate, followed by cucumber, rose, and subtle spice notes. The finish is refreshing, crisp, and slightly floral, with lingering juniper and cucumber notes.
Boodles British London Dry Gin, 42.5% ABV, 750 ml. $22 (England)
Boodles British Gin is known for its smooth and juniper-forward profile, earning multiple gold medals. It is crafted with a blend of 11 botanicals. It’s distilled in copper pot stills, using a traditional method that emphasizes the juniper, along with subtle citrus and spice notes.
On the nose, the gin features a bold juniper aroma with hints of citrus and a touch of herbs. It’s dry on the palate, with a pronounced juniper flavor and a hint of pepper and spice. The finish is long, dry, and slightly peppery.
These gins reflect the artistry and tradition of the juniper-forward, London Dry style. Each brings its unique twist to the juniper and botanical mix and provides an excellent base for a Gin & Tonic. Add a slice of citrus, especially grapefruit, to enhance the citrus flavors and add more layered complexity to your G & T.
Whether it’s the bold and citrus-packed flavors of Tanqueray or the delicate, floral notes of Hendrick’s, these juniper-forward gins are recognized for their exceptional quality and consistency, earning gold medals across various prestigious competitions. No home bar should be without them! See also The Gin of the Year, According to the International Wine & Spirit Competition.