The best flavoured gins, tried and tested

This is an article about flavoured gins so it might seem a bit odd including Herno Botanical Flavoured Gin, which is without doubt the most stripped back example I've experienced.

But all gin by its very nature is flavoured, and there's no minimum number of botanicals (other than one of them having to be juniper) that it needs to include. There's no maximum either of course, and it's not unusual these days to see 40+ different ingredients added to a gin.

The only other flavour here is coriander seed, and you might think this results in a rather plain or flat taste, but nothing could be further from the truth. Paring it back to core components allows the
fresh, woody juniper to really sing, which is complimented by an earthy warmth from the coriander.

It's great in a G&T but the lack of potentially conflicting flavours means its also superb in a cocktail, or allowed to take centre stage in a Martini. You might also be mistaken for thinking it'd be overly junipery given the lack of additional ingredients but in reality it has a lovely balance.

Herno says this is a "no buzzword gin" and free from "nonsense additives and fairytale botanicals". Less is definitely more in this case - it's absolutely fantastic.

Inspired by the South of France, this pink gin from Salcombe Gin is an award-winning spirit with plenty to shout about, but it does it in a subtle way that'll resonate with even the most ardent traditionalists.

That's because it's amazingly well-balanced for a flavoured gin, with a crisp juniper backbone complimented by a very slight strawberry sweetness and rose petal perfume.

Whichever Riviera it transports you to - the French or the English - this is a taste of summer in a glass, and I'll be going back for more long into the autumn and winter.

If you prefer a fruity flavour to a more traditional juniper-forward gin then this Brockmans Orange Kiss is an ideal addition to your drinks cabinet.

Overall it's quite sweet when mixed with tonic, with strong orange notes, although those are on the bitter end, so the end result is more sophisicated and less like alcoholic Fanta.

There's a subtle spice and nutiness too, although I've been mixing in half a shot of Limoncello with mine for more of a citrus explosion. Highly recommended.

This Spanish bottle is the world's first (and most awarded) strawberry gin, which has been around since 2013. It has a very strong strawberry taste, which makes it a great addition to cocktails or a straightforward G&T.

I found the strawberry flavour very powerful at first, which some will love, but if it's too much you can dial it back a bit by mixing a double G&T with a measure of this and a second measure of a more neutral gin if you want something more subtle.

This makes for a great balance if you prefer a more zesty or juniper-forward taste. Otherwise though it's a sweet and aromatic delight which has satisfied both gin drinkers and non-gin drinkers I've shared it with.

This Swedish gin is based on Herno's award-winning Dry Gin, but left at a punchy 57% vol. instead of the standard 40.5%. Navy Strength means it's strong enough so that you can still ignite gunpowder that's been soaked in it - useful when you store the two together below decks, but less of a practicality concern these days.

The fact it's less dilute means (as well as being more alcoholic) it also has a more intense flavour than the standard bottle, and in theory means you can get away with using a smaller measure.

Thing is, I've tried this before with expensive cheese before, and I just ended up eating more cheese, so the same happened with this Herno Navy Strength. It also comes in a 500ml bottle and in combination with how delicious it is, meant it didn't last very long at all.

Full of the bright freshness I've come to enjoy from Herno's Dry Gin with a strong juniper and citrus taste, I was expecting a harshness from the alcohol but actually found it surprisingly smooth. It works just as well neat, in a Martini, or a classic G and T and is a real treat in any combination.

Here's something very different indeed, which will appeal to traditional gin fans looking for something different, as well as those of you who like a fruity flavour profile.

Elephant Gin was created 13 years ago and inspired by a trip to Africa. It uses a blend of 14 botanicals, including several rare ingredients from the continent. African Explorer is a special edition bottle released to celebrate that ten-year-anniversary.

The most notable flavours come from buchu leaves, which impart a deep blackcurrant note and lasting minty freshness. Rather than overpowering the gin this really compliments the juniper backbone, and there's even some floral and spicy additions that linger on.

Best enjoyed with as neutral a tonic water as you can find, so the exotic aromatics in this gin can come forward. African Explorer will be available from the link above after launch.

Gin in the post is the gift that keeps giving all year long - whether it's for a friend or for yourself, there can be few things better for ginthusiasts than a new and exciting drop every month.

Gin Me carefully selects gins from around the world and posts them to you in a letterbox-shaped package. The spirit itself comes in an innovative and recyclable pouch.

My sample included three gins I'd not tried - Dizonv, Eight Lands and GlenWyvis- 100ml of each, or enough for two doubles.

The former is from Bretagne and gets blended with cider brandy before bottling. Sounds odd, tastes incredible.

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Gin aged in a barrel made of juniper wood sounded like something I absolutely needed to try for myself, and the fact it comes from the distillery of my favourite gin made it only more intriguing. The smell is front loaded with citrus and a hint of wood, and this is exactly how it tastes too.

I think I was expecting it to be very heavy on the juniper but it's actually really balanced and smooth, with delicate and subtle warmth from the wood interacting with sharp lemon and a sweet finish. The result makes you think "oh that's interesting" usually as you're walking to the kitchen to pour another.

But it's a bit of a grower - I'm not sure I fully appreciated it at first because I'd watered it down with too much tonic (hint - any tonic is too much tonic when it comes to this gin). Much better either neat with an ice cube or in a martini where the flavour can really take centre stage.

That's not to say it's no good in a G and T, but you'll miss out on all the nuanced flavours this bottle features over and above the standard Herno gin. This happens to be my go-to, because it's absolutely fantastic, but this cask aged variety is well worth a try.

Floral gin is definitely something I've grown to love - it can be quite an acquired taste, and diverges wildly from the usual sweet/savoury/citrus/spice flavour balance you typically find in a G and T.

This bottle from Hendrick's is just about the most floral example I've come across. Right off the bat it transports you to a summer garden, with a scent absolutely full of flowers and cut grass.

Serve it neat or with a splash of tonic and there are all sorts of unusual and intriguing elements like lavendar and a slightly medicinal chamomile vibe. This is backed up by a very prominent juniper backbone, to remind you this is a gin and not a herbal tea.

Hendrick's recommends mixing a double measure into a Wildgarden Cup cocktail - essentially soda water with lemon juice, raspberries, mint and cucumber - which is perfect for a long afternoon in the garden. Dial it back by using a single measure of this and another of unflavoured gin if you want.

A very different gin to everything else on this list that also manages to have a really broad appeal. It's flavoured with neroli (a product of bitter orange blossom), and that makes for a unique G&T.

The neroli dominates with floral and citrusy punch, while the traditional juniper flavour of gin is more delicate. Great news if you're not a fan of the overpowering pine notes it can bring, but with enough intruige from the neroli to satisfy hardened gin fans.

It is summertime sweetness in a glass, balanced by a lingering earthy spice that is complex in flavour, which means it clashed a bit when I tried it with apple juice. The best mixer is an unimposing tonic - but it's better yet in a martini, or even just sipped neat.

A returning special edition, this festive gin dials up the citrus punch and warming spice I've enjoyed in Cotswords's regular spirit for an even more Christmassy flavour.

It smells zesty and fresh while the taste has a hum of earthy heat, which you can enhance if you like with the addition of some star anise to your glass.

Sounds weird, tastes amazing. If that's not your thing then a big wedge of fresh lime takes the gin's orangey zing to the next level. A perfect serve at a festive cocktail party.

We've tried gin flavoured with port and now we've got one mixed with wine - the result is a seriously smooth and sweet gin with warming honey and floral notes, which is delicate enough for beginners yet intriguing enough to keep those who normally like punchier aromatics interested. It's ridiculously easy to drink yet complex, with a herbal, earthy and slightly spicy finish, topped off with a crispness reminiscent of a chalky champagne.

Gin fans have been treated to some truly unique flavour combinations in recent years, but none caught our eye and imagination quite like this one, which has been aged in a port barrel.

The result is an intriguing and woody flavour that perfectly complements the heavy juniper pine in Conker's signature Dorset Dry Gin, and a light pink tinge reminiscent of a late summer sunset.

It doesn't taste at all like someone has snuck a measure of port into your G&T, but instead adds warming oak and a slight sweetness. A bit like other barrel-aged gin we've tried, but less intense - it's really good, especially neat over ice.

Based in London, 58 Gin was named UK Gin Producer of the Year in 2020 and given a further award for this London Dry - a three-star mark at The Great Taste Awards 2021. That's a ringing endorsement if we've ever heard one. This textbook gin comes in an art-deco bottle, which is 100% recycled and recyclable.

Seriously smooth and woody with a hit of citrus to follow, the best way to showcase this special gin is in a dry Martini, where its more subtle flavours can really sing. However, its no-nonsense yet delicious flavour means it's a great choice for a classic G&T if you want something longer.

Wildjac produces a new flavoured gin every quarter celebrating the tastes of the season and this Apple & Elderberry Gin is the latest limited-edition offering. It is the taste of autumn in a glass. Citrus takes a back seat here with red fruit and apple hints plus a floral note.

It's less dry than a regular gin, so stands up well with a slimline tonic if you're not into sweetness. I really liked it with cranberry juice too, and I reckon it'll be just as good with apple, if you can excuse unconventional mixers. The entire bottle (including cork and labels) is 100% recycled too.

A spirit that's good for your conscience and your tastebuds, Cooper King Discovery Gin is carbon neutral and helps fund the Natural History Museum's research and promotion of environmental concerns.

A heavy responsibility for a drink and one that's backed up with a suitably strong flavour profile - a touch of pepper and clove with a savoury dryness from basil and lemongrass. It's both familiar but different and leaves a mark with every sip. Described as a 'brilliant and inventive way to promote positive change' by the museum. Cheers to that.

If you want to try something a bit different without stepping completely outside your comfort zone, this Old Tom style gin from Herno is ideal. It's named after a special booze delivery system found in old London gin houses, shaped like a black cat, which would dispense a shot of gin from its paw after receiving a coin in its mouth.

What separates this from other gin varieties is the honey and sugar added after distillation, which gives Old Tom its distinct flavour. Balancing the sweetness in this bottle from Swedish makers Herno is a big hit of piney juniper and citrus meadowsweet for a fresh and full bodied flavour.

It's complex though - after pouring a second (purely for research purposes) I discovered a warm and earthy note from the coriander, and a lingering taste of black pepper. Dial down the sweetness a bit with a slimline tonic if you want, but otherwise it works perfectly with loads of ice and lemon. A robust and vibrant G&T that gives you plenty to think about.

A sunset in a bottle, this special edition gin from Bombay Sapphire brings summer evening spice in the form of golden turmeric, Indian white cardamom, and Spanish mandarin. Of all the flavoured gins on this list it is perhaps the most subtle, but therein lies the appeal.

The additional flavours bring an earthy, savoury character, but what's really impressive is that despite those spicy notes, which you would normally associate with autumn, this gin remains quite bright and zesty. So it's definitely more at home as a summer time drink. Delicious with tonic, but we also tried it with apple juice and found it to be even more complex and satisfying. Perfect if you want to try something a little unusual.