8 different types of gin
There are many different types of gin. But did you know that gin was originally used for medicinal purposes? In the 17th century, it was developed in the Netherlands as an herbal medicine to treat various ailments, including kidney and stomach problems. After a while, it became a popular spirit to drink for fun. Producers experiment a lot in the production of several types and styles of gin. In this blog, we will take you on a journey through the different types of gin out there.
Types of gins
There are numerous types and styles of gin available, each with its own unique characteristics and flavor profiles. Some of the main types and styles of gin:
- London Dry Gin
- Plymouth Gin
- Old Tom Gin
- Navy Strength Gin
- New Western Dry Gin
- Genever (Dutch Gin)
- Barrel-Aged Gin
- Sloe Gin
- Fruit-Infused Gin
- Botanical Gins (featuring specific botanical flavors)
- Flavored Gins (such as citrus, floral, or herbal variations)
- Organic Gin
So, there is a great variety of gins. These are just the most common types, there are many more! In fact, we think this number will continue to grow as it does. It’s worth noting that new types of gin are regularly introduced to the market as distillers continue to innovate and push the boundaries of flavor. Below, we highlight some of the most popular gins more detailed.
London Dry Gin: the ‘standard’ gin
We start off with a classic one. When people talk about ‘standard’ gin, they often talk about London Dry Gin. The primary botanical used in the production of London Dry Gin is juniper berries, which give gin its distinct flavor. Important is that there are no artificial flavors or sweeteners are allowed.
London Dry Gin is known for its dry and crisp taste. It has a clean, refreshing profile that makes it versatile for a wide range of cocktails. One of the distinguishing features of London Dry Gin is that it contains minimal additives.
Some famous examples of brands include Beefeater, Tanqueray, and Gordon’s.
Plymouth Gin: only gin with a PGI status
Plymouth Gin is a unique gin that is named after the city of Plymouth in England. It is the only gin with a PGI status, which means it can only be produced in Plymouth. With its rich history (dates to late 18th century), it was first produced in one of the oldest working distilleries in England, the Black Friars Distillery.
Plymouth Gin is distilled using a blend of seven botanicals, including juniper berries, coriander seeds, orange peel, lemon peel, green cardamom, angelica root, and orris root. Therefore, plymouth gin is known for its smooth, fruity, and full-bodied flavor profile.
Old Tom Gin: wooden plaques like a black cat
Another type of gin is Old Tom Gin represents a bridge between the earlier genever-style gins and the later London Dry Gins. This gin gets its name from the wooden plaques shaped like a black cat that were placed outside British gin houses to indicate where gin could be purchased during that era.
Old Tom Gin is known for its slightly sweeter profile compared to London Dry Gin. The distillery traditionally incorporates a small number of sweetening agents, like sugar, honey, or even licorice, which contribute to the gin’s distinct and rounded botanical flavor profile.
Some well-known brands that produce Old Tom Gin are Hayman’s, Ransom, and Jensen’s.
Navy Strength Gin: highest alcohol content
Navy Strength Gin is a type of gin that is characterized by its high alcohol content, namely an alcohol content of 57% ABV or higher. The higher alcohol content of Navy Strength Gin intensifies its flavor profile.
While Navy Strength Gin has historical roots, it has also experienced a resurgence with the rise of the craft distillery movement. Many modern gin producers have created their own interpretations of Navy Strength Gin, offering a range of flavors and styles within the category.
Notable brands that produce Navy Strength Gin include Plymouth Navy Strength Gin and other distilleries like Four Pillars, and Sipsmith, among others.
Other varieties of gins
We have mentioned the most common traditional gins, but there are many more worth mentioning. We will also take a brief look at these types of gin.
Genever: The Dutch Gin
Genever, also known as Dutch gin, is a traditional style of gin that originated in the Netherlands. It has a malty flavor and a heavier mouthfeel compared to other types of gin.
New Western Dry Gin: the most creative gins
New Western Dry Gin is a relatively new style of gin. It puts a greater emphasis on other botanicals, allowing for more creativity and experimentation. It has a wide range of flavors, from floral and citrusy to spicy and herbal.
Sloe Gin: fruity
Sloe Gin is a fruit-based gin that is made by steeping sloe berries (a type of wild plum) in gin. It has a reddish color and a sweet, fruity flavor.
Barrel-Aged Gin: aging in wooden barrels
Barrel-aged gin is gin that has been aged in wooden barrels, similar to the aging process for whiskey. The aging imparts additional flavors and complexity to the gin, often including notes of oak, vanilla, and spice.
Now you have learned so much about the different types of Gin, let us tell you some interesting details about another great liquor: Cognac. Read about the different types of Cognac and much more in our blog 4 Types of Cognac: The Best Guide to Understanding Cognac.
Moving Spirits: wholesaler of different types of gin
We have named several types of gin now, we can conclude that the world of gin is far from monotonous. From the classic London Dry Gin to the innovative New Western Dry Gin and everything in between, you can buy them all from our wholesale. In fact, Moving Spirits supplies business customers worldwide. So, do you have you a liquor store? We would like to invite you to look at our Sales Portal. Here you can view our entire stock 24/7.
We always have more than 2,500 branded items in stock, including 80+ different brands of gin types. To be able to see all our products, you have to create an account. Our gins are always competitively priced, so are you looking for gin for wholesale prices? Sign up right away!
Be surprised by the stock at our wholesale, always as many different types of gins available as possible!
