Our favourite gins of 2023

The gin market isn’t what it once was when it felt like not a day went by without a new gin brand being launched. Since the heady days of 2018, things have calmed down quite a bit but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t’ plenty of excitement in the category. There are still lots of excellent new products being launched and we have tasted quite a few of them. 

So we consulted the content team here at Master of Malt and came up with a list of our favourite new (and newish) gins that we tasted in 2023. There’s everything from classic London drys, cask-aged gins, and unusual botanicals. Oh and one which is a contender for the best gin in the world! Intrigued? Then read on.

Hendrick’s Flora Adora

A limited-edition addition to the Hendrick’s range, it might not surprise you to find out that Flora Adora is a particularly floral affair. It was inspired by distiller Lesley Gracie watching pollination at play in her garden on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland. The original Hendrick’s DNA of rose and cucumber is still alive and well, but with the addition of floral botanicals that are particularly favoured by pollinating insects.

Bathtub Gin – Persian Lime & Orange Blossom

A zealously zesty, vibrantly floral offering from Bathtub Gin. This edition sees the delicious cold-compounded spirit infused with the elegant flavours of Persian lime and orange blossom. This dry and unsweetened expression is awesomely aromatic, with an abundance of zesty lime peel and citrus oil bolstering the bold juniper and gentle spices at its core. Works a treat in a G&T, and shines mixed with bitter lemon.

Brockmans Orange Kiss

The first addition to the Brockmans Gin range since its flagship release, this is Brockmans Orange Kiss Gin! The distillery went to the trouble of making its own triple sec, which it uses as a botanical here alongside Valencia oranges, juniper, almond oil, and coriander. The aim behind this gin was to make a perfect sunset sipper, and while it is indeed fabulous in a sunset spritz it also makes an incredible twist on a Margarita (thanks to the triple sec).

Martin Millers Winterful Gin

Here we have Martin Miller’s Winterful Gin, the partner to the limited edition Summerful Gin! Recognising its dual heritage, the distillery has incorporated botanicals used in mulled wine recipes in both England and Iceland (where it’s known as Jóla Glögg), so expect lots of cinnamon and mandarin peel in here. Those warming sweet spices means that it makes a splendid Martinez or try it mixed with ginger beer.

Procera Gin Green Dot 2022 Vintage 

Yes, it is very expensive but then this is (almost certainly) the best gin in the world. Procera makes its gins in limited annual batches, so each year’s gin will be subtly different. The juniperus procera that went into the 2022 vintage of Procera Green Dot Gin was especially good, and there’s a touch more toasted juniper wood and tree foliage included. This stunning gin is as good on the rocks as it is in a G&T, and each bottle comes with a small jar of botanical garnish to sprinkle over your drinks. 

The Sassenach Wild Scottish Gin

Outlander’s Sam Heughan has managed to capture (and distil) the essence of Scotland’s rugged landscapes with this addition to his Sassenach spirits range – Wild Scottish Gin! This London dry style gin is distilled with an array of foraged botanicals from the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland, where Heughan grew up. With a core of Scottish juniper supported by rhubarb, heather, pine resin, bramble leaf, blueberry, crabapple, and toasted oats, this gin has been winning awards left right and centre, including gold at the 2023 New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, the Singapore World Spirits Competition, the Spirits Business Autumn Tasting, and the Beverage Testing Institute.

Cask Aged Gin 4 Year Old 2017 (Master of Malt) (42.6%)

Cask-aged gin is having a bit of a moment with sales up dramatically last year. Our very own version was aged in a bourbon barrel for four years between 2017 and 2022, resulting in layers of floral vanilla, peppery spice, and mellow oak to accompany the resinous juniper at its core. It’s a superbly versatile spirit – enjoy it neat, try it with a splash of tonic and a wedge of grapefruit, or take your Negronis to the next level! A total of 72 bottles join our exclusive Master of Malt collection.

Citadelle Rouge

It’s rouge but it’s not red. The idea behind Citadelle Rouge was to create something bursting with natural red fruit flavours but without colour or sweetness. It involves steeping fruits such as fresh cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, and rhubarb plus more usually gin botanicals including juniper, coriander, orange peel, cardamom, and cinnamon in alcohol before distillation. The result is something so fruity you’d swear it was red, but it isn’t. This would be perfect in a Bramble cocktail.

Whitley Neill Distillers Cut

The team at Whitley Neill just don’t stop, turning out a huge variety of flavoured gins every year like Rhubarb & Ginger and Parma Violet. But they’re also pretty good at more classically styled expressions like this bottle. Distillers Cut is a classic London Dry Gin with a sweet, soft, and sumptuously citrusy character built around dried orange peel. It’s already proving to be an award show darling with a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023 to its name.

Pink Grapefruit Brûlée Gin (That Boutique-y Gin Company)

If you’re a citrus fan, you’ll know just how delicious a freshly halved pink grapefruit is, sprinkled with a dusting of sugar but have you ever tried toasting the sugar on top, crème brûlée style? It’s next level! That Boutique-y Gin Company knows all about this zingy treat, and in true Boutique-y style, has transformed it into gin form. This is a fan favourite, voted for by customers who tried it with their very own taste buds after it featured in the 2022 edition of That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar. Naturally flavoured with generous helpings of grapefruit peel and a hearty juniper core, it’s a cracking serve topped with a splash of grapefruit soda.

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