Choosing the Best British Gin | What to Look for & Top Bottles

Often considered the home of modern gin, Britain has a rich tradition of distilling. Shaped by artisanal craft techniques and a combination of botanicals, discover what sets the best British gin apart and the popular flavours to expect.

In this guide, we will explore how to choose the best British gin, including its bold juniper-forward flavours, and our award-winning Cotswolds favourites.

What Makes British Gin Unique?

The uniqueness of British gin comes from its "sense of place." Distillers passionately utilise local, heritage ingredients to tell a story about their region, and create a flavour profile that’s distinctively British.

A classic staple of British gin is the inclusion of juniper berries. Though it is legally required for gins to contain juniper, British distillers traditionally emphasise juniper as the dominant botanical for a clean and unmistakably classic flavour. Juniper is carefully balanced with a handful of local botanicals, producing gin flavour profiles that reflect the subtle nuances of regional styles.

Comparisons with World Gins

Compared to British gin, which often prioritises a structured, juniper-led core, other gin producers experiment with unique flavours rather than focusing on tradition.

Here are some gin alternatives to British gin, and their key characteristics:

• Japanese Gin – delicate, and subtle, with fragrant notes of Japanese citrus (yuzu), sansho pepper, green tea or Sakura (cherry blossom). These distillers often emphasise seasonal ingredients and vigorous blending over the bolder and juniper-focused flavours of British styles.
• New Western Dry Gin (e.g. the US and Australia) - favouring contemporary botanicals over the potent juniper flavour, such as citrus, florals or spice. These often shine in modern, complex cocktails compared to gin-centric recipes like the Martini or Gin and Tonic.

Comparing Different Types of British Gin

There is no single style to British gin, and different bottles offer unique and complex notes. Expect the best British gin to have descriptive flavour profiles of “juniper-forward” and citrusy, refreshing gins – prioritising traditional and authentic distilling methods.

With a wide spectrum varying in history, regional character, and artisanal techniques that influence flavours, you may want to explore different gin styles and regions when searching for the best British gin to complement your palette:

London Dry Gin

London Dry is the most famous British gin style and the most influential globally. Juniper-led with clean, crisp flavours, it does not necessarily need to be distilled in the English capital. Instead, London Dry refers to the production method.

This gin style is crafted through re-distillation, meaning there are no artificial flavours and limited sweeteners.

Key Features of London Dry:

• Crisp, clean juniper-led flavours
• Natural botanicals added during distillation
• Perfect in classic cocktails (e.g. martinis, G&Ts, negronis)

Old Tom Gin

Dating back to the 1700s, the Old Tom style has become increasingly popular due to a cocktail renaissance. Historically sweeter than London Dry, Old Tom gins deliver richer, softer flavours, with popular ingredients including liquorice, added sugar syrup, vanilla, and aniseed.

Key Features of Old Tom:

• Smoother, sweeter and rounder flavours
• Perfect in vintage cocktails (e.g. Tom Collins or Martinez)

Flavoured Gin

Incredibly popular in the 21st century, flavoured gins offer versatility for gin drinkers, allowing them to easily experiment with different flavours. Expect popular flavours, including berries, citrus, herbs and floral notes, added after the distillation process.

Key Features of British Flavoured Gins:

• Must start with a real gin base (37.5% ABV or higher)
• Incredibly versatile flavours (e.g. Pink Gin, berries, florals)
• Perfect for drinkers new to gins

The Best British Gin by Cotswolds Distillery

Among the many gin distilleries in the UK, Cotswolds Distillery focuses on embodying local countryside flavours, carefully selected botanical ingredients, and traditional methods for a delicious taste.

Let’s explore our exclusive range of British Gins:

1)      Cotswolds Dry Gin

A juniper-led concoction with fresh citrusy notes, the award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin is our flagship bottle and a staple amongst gin enthusiasts and beginners alike.

Crafted with nine botanicals, including locally sourced Snowshill lavender, freshly peeled pink grapefruit, and aromatic bay leaves, only the best ingredients go into making our flagship Dry Gin.

For an artisanal approach, we brew our Cotswolds Dry Gin in a copper pot to enhance flavours for a smooth, clean taste – we call ours Dolly!

Read more about how we name our stills here.

• Flavour Profile: Citrus, spice and floral
• Key Botanicals: Juniper berries, cardamom seed, black peppercorn, and local lavender
• Perfect for: Newcomers to gin and lovers of a classic G&T

2)      No.1 Wildflower Gin

Inspired by the vibrant grasslands of the Cotswolds, our No.1 Wildflower Ginis a celebration of nature in a bottle.

Based on a traditional London Dry recipe, this gin has a beautiful scarlet hue and a flavour profile that is wonderfully floral and herbaceous. Expect citrus notes and a delightful blend of cornflowers and lavender.

• Flavour Profile: Fresh, fruity and zesty
• Key Botanicals: Cornflowers, lavender, rhubarb and orange blossom
• Perfect for: Summer cocktails and floral gin spritz

Looking for more flavours? Explore our complete Wildflower Gin collection, including the lemony No.2 and the botanical-focused No.3.

3)      Old Tom Gin

Sweeter than its London Dry predecessor, the Old Tom style offers a rich, character-driven flavour. The Cotswolds Old Tom Gin balances sweetness with an intense botanical blend for complex flavours.

Our take on the traditional Old Tom recipe includes added sugar, combined with candied orange and light herbal notes, as well as dark spices.

• Flavour Profile: Slightly sweet with herbal and citrus notes
• Key Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica, liquorice root, and spices
• Perfect for: A neat Old Tom, or a refreshing Tom Collins cocktail

How to Serve and Drink British Gin

The best British gin is incredibly versatile, and how you serve it can completely transform its character and your experience. Consider the following the next time you open your favourite gin bottle:

• Choose the right glass
• Add plenty of ice
• Pair with the right mixer
• Perfect your garnish

For the perfect, cloudy G&T, select a large copa glass and fill to the brim with large ice cubes. Pour a 50ml measure of Cotswolds Dry Gin over the ice and top with premium tonic water. Add a slice of pink grapefruit and a fresh bay leaf to garnish.

Browse our extensive collection of British gins at the Cotswolds Distillery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which British Gin is Best for Summer Cocktails?

For summer cocktails, the best gin is often one with bright, fresh citrus or delicate floral notes. Look for light gins flavoured with real fruit or a speciality bottle, such as the Cotswolds Summer Cup Gin.

These gins pair wonderfully with a light mixer like an elderflower tonic and a fruity garnish for the ultimate refreshing drink.

What’s the Difference Between a Dry Gin and a Distilled Gin?

There’s a distinct difference between the two gin styles. With a distilled gin, botanicals must be added during distillation, not afterwards, and have limited sweetening additions.

Distillers of Dry Gins, on the other hand, often have more creative freedom as they can add flavours after distillation.

What to read next

8 Things You Didn't Know About Cotswolds Dry Gin | Cotswolds Distillery

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