You cannot miss Bombay Sapphire on the liquor shelf. Its blue bottle has an allure that will catch your eye, though the gin itself is not blue—look to Magellan Gin for that. If you look at the list of botanicals in Bombay Sapphireyou will notice a few differences from other London dry gins. Grains of paradise, almond, and cubeb berries are not your average gin ingredients and they help this bottle stand apart from the crowd.

Sometimes called Dutch gin or Holland gin, genever is a sweetened style of gin that originated in the Netherlands. Today, it is only distilled in that country and in neighboring areas of Europe. The biggest name in genever is Bols, and it is one of the few brands that is available worldwide. Bols Geneverwas on the U.S. marketuntil Prohibitionand was not available again until the summer of 2008. It is bottled at 42 percent ABV (84 proof), and a bottle typically sells for the same price as any premium gin. Once a one-bottle brand, Aviation has expanded its portfolio to include Aviation Old Tom. It's the distillery's take on an old, sweeter style of gin, but they don't add sugars or flavorings, which is customary. Instead, they rely on whiskey barrel aging to bring out an Old Tom taste and accentuate the original Aviation's natural sweetness.

Martin Miller's is a modern take on traditional gin. It has that wonderful juniper dominance of a London dry and it is perfectly balanced, crisp, clean and simply an extravagant gin. The gin uses a relatively straightforward list of botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica, orris, cassia, cinnamon, licorice, nutmeg, iris, and Seville orange. Although not officially disclosed, drinkers have long suspected some cucumber essence added post-distillation, owing to the bright cucumber taste present [more on that in a second], but officially nothing is stated as to that regard. The only hint we have is that the bottles have undergone a re-design in the past decade which removed the words “London Dry Gin” from the bottle. [ old vs new]. Since we know the term “London Dry” prohibits the addition of flavors/sweetening above a microscopic signing amount, this may be a suggestion that the hypothesis is not far off. But for now, just know there is indeed an unmistakable cucumber note and no reference to cucumber in the botanical list. Tasting Notes

Distilled in Cheshire, England, Bombay Sapphire's full list of vapor-infused botanicals include juniper, almond, grains of paradise, lemon peel, licorice, orris root, angelica, coriander, cassia bark, and cubeb berries. It's old meets new with this gin. While the brand is relatively young, having launched in 1987, the beautiful array is based on a recipe from 1761. Distilled since the 1870s, Tanqueray is now produced at Camron Bridge in Edinburgh, Scotland, one of Europe's largest distilleries. What's most amazing is that this four times distilled gin uses just four botanicals: juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, and licorice.Aviation's choice of a rye base gives this gin a creamier mouthfeel than most gins. It is a gin that you can enjoy chilled on its own, which is great news for super dry martini fans. You will find the gin to be very aromatic and filled with rich flavors, making it a true delight for any gin lover. Much literature about brewing discusses the impact of free ions in water and how they affect the brewing process, though many water scientists have suggested that in some cases the differences between water sources in terms of dissolved solids are below the level of human detection. Just some water for thought. This gin is distilled in a copper pot still named "Marjorie." The botanical list includes juniper, angelica root, cassia bark, cinnamon, coriander seed, lemon peel, licorice, nutmeg, orange peel, and orris root. It is bottled at a standard 40 percent ABV (80 proof). You can also explore the effects of aging on gin—something most gin is not subjected to—with Martin Miller's 9 Moons. This bottling rests the gin in previously used bourbon barrels for nine months to give it a fascinating sweetness of vanilla and oak.

I think this is one fantastic gin, and it still holds up today IMHO. First, it makes such a good Gin and Tonic, and I’m not sure a gin can endure the way this has and become a staple behind so many bars without doing that well. My money’s still on the Westbourne as the superior spirit in all mixing uses, but that’s not to say that doesn’t hold it own. The Martini is really nice as well, though I don’t think it comes through as strongly in things like the Negroni or a Corpse Reviver #2. I think the only thing wrong with this spirit might be that we have the Westbourne Strength to compare it to. Overall

Like many other brands, Bols has expanded their genever selection. Beyond the original, you can find barrel-aged bottles, which are rested in French Limousin oak casks for 18 months. There is a beautiful gin inside this distinct green bottle with its red wax seal. Tanqueray's crisp, dry style is the benchmark for a London dry gin without any citrus in the botanicals. It is a standard to which all other gins are compared and contrasted and also sells for a reasonable price. Aviation is produced in Portland, Oregon, by House Spirits Distillery. It is distilled from neutral grain spirit with 100 percent rye base, an unusual beginning in the gin market. It's flavored with juniper, anise seed, Elettaria cardamom, coriander, lavender, sweet orange peel, and sarsaparilla. It, too, is slightly overproofed, bottled at 42 percent ABV (84 proof), so it's not as delicate as it's often made out to be. If you have yet to taste genever, it is unlike any other gin you've had. This style of gin is as if a soft Scotch whisky were married with gin, and Bols' malty feel is a perfect example. Based on Lucas Bols' original recipe from 1820, it has a wonderful balance of sweet malt and subdued juniper and citrus. It is triple distilled using equal parts malt wine and neutral grain spirits that are infused with natural flavors. Bitter orange zest, fresh juniper an a slight hint of licorice and gentle spice behind it. It’s quite classic in profile with a lot of juniper fortifying it at first glance. When they speak of the specific method for getting the most out of their citrus, it’s fairly evident here that the work has paid off. The orange notes are the star.

Seriously, still one of the best, it holds up even nearly two decades later. Martin Miller’s gin is a new classic of this era and I still love it for what it is. Though I’d probably buy the Westbourne first if I had a choice between the two, I’d buy the classic 40% ABV Martin Miller’s over a very many of the gins out there today. Highly recommended. Today, drinkers can enjoy the diversity of gin.Unlike vodka, each bottle of gin is truly unique. The majority feature some degree of the pine flavor that comes from juniper, which is gin's signature ingredient, yet no two bottles have the same combination of botanicals. Bols 100% Malt Spirit takes the neutral grain spirits out of the equation. The brand calls it "genever in its purest form," created from a distillate of corn, rye, and wheat that is fermented for longer than usual and married with juniper berries. Its taste is that of sweet grass with fruits and juniper. This is a double-distilled gin produced in a two-stage distillate . Juniper, coriander, angelica, licorice root, cassia bark, Florentine iris, and lime peel are introduced in the first distillation. Bitter orange peel, lemon peel, and lime peel in the second. It is finished with Icelandic glacial water and bottled at a standard 40 percent ABV (80 proof).This is the signature gin used to make a Sapphire martinias well as the Sapphire alpine. The two blue martinis use blue curaçao to get that beautiful color, and they're a delight to drink. Aviation American Gincame to market in 2006. It was one of the first brands to launch that made everyone rethink the definition of gin. It was at the forefront of the New Western Gin movement, featuring a softer juniper profile and gins that are often handcrafted in small batches. This gin revolution has brought the spirit's appeal to a wider audience of drinkers. If you enjoy the standard bottle of Beefeater, keep an eye out for the brand's special bottlings. They make an appearance from time to time, and each is worth a taste when the bottle crosses yourpath. Beefeater 24, for example, is a regular offering that is a nice upgrade from the original and the brand often comes out with limited editions. Hayman's Old Tom Gin is one of the best examples of this old-world style, though it was only recently launched in 2007. Produced by Hayman Distillers of Witham, England, it is based on a family recipe from the 1870s.