The distillery did not simply bottle a higher-proof version of the successful Small Batch Gin; they started from scratch and released this one in 2012. The extra juniper and a switch to bergamot for the citrus notes created an entirely new gin that is very fascinating. Discover the craftsmanship of great American gin in St. George Spirits. The distillery began as a one-man operation in 1982 in Alameda, California and has grown considerably since. Over the last decade or so, St. George has been a leader in America's craft spirits industry, producing a fascinating variety of distilled spirits. The Botanist is a perfectly balanced marriage of every botanical it uses. There is a refreshing hint of apple mint mixed with juniper, then waves of citrus and spice. You will experience both coolness and warmth and, as the distillery's tasting notes say, "a starburst of flavours as they explode across the palate."

What these gins have in common is the dedication to quality. It begins with a base spirit that is an unusual blend of wheat, potato, and barley.

Quick Overview

This is a gin that everyone can enjoy. It has a softer juniper profile and subtle hints of bright citrus from pummelo and Valencia orange. No, on average, gin and vodka are similar in their alcohol content but in the high-percentage spectrum of vodkas, vodka is stronger than gin. The minimum ABV (alcohol by volume) percentage of gin varies; in Europe it is 37.5 percent and in the United States 40 percent ABV. Booth's London Dry can be found in most markets and is a surprisingly nice gin. It has the characteristics often found in this price range: full juniper in the front followed by coriander, lemon peel, and other spices. It's bottled at 90-proof, which means those flavors are bigger and bolder, though not quite as brash as navy-strength gin. The result of all of this careful planning is a spectacular gin. Few words can describe the experience properly as it is unlike any other and it doesn't have a distinct characteristic or dominant flavor.

The Botanist's botanical blend is extensive and this leads to one of the most complex gins you will taste. The list includes a total of 31 botanicals and two of Islay's resident botanists forage for 22 of those ingredients. It adds a unique meaning to locally-sourced liquor. So, without further ado, we present to you – our Top 10 British Small-Batch Craft Gins. 1. Crofter’s Tears Highland Gin The botanicals are also carefully selected and distilled into the spirit individually. This process is called fractional distilling and it is a time-consuming method that most gin producers do not use. However, it allows Leopold Bros. precise control over each botanical's flavor before they are combined. A true locally-sourced spirit (explaining the terroir name), it also features California bay laurel and coastal sage among its 12 botanicals. Notable among the others are coriander seeds which are roasted in a seasoned wok at the distillery.Bottled at 114 proof (57 percent ABV), this gin is not for the weak of heart or palate. You really need to lovegin to appreciate Leopold's Navy Strength as it is juniper-heavy (twice the normal intensity) and has a bold, intense flavor overall. Bottled at a smooth 40 percent ABV (80 proof), it's botanical list includes juniper berries and buds,cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, almond, coriander, cardamom, cloves, licorice, and lemon. The best way to introduce yourself to Williams GB Gin is with the simple gin and tonic. St. George Spirits is a California distillery that is crafting amazing spirits. Among those are three bottles of gin and each has its own character. Photo Courtesy: St. George Spirits For a martini, I like Monkey 47,” describes Spencer Elliott of Bounce Sporting Club in New York City. “A gin that might hit your wallet a bit more than the others but delivers just as much. Rich and smooth this gin pairs excellently with a bit of vermouth." The 9 core botanicals are infused into the initial distillate. These include juniper, angelica root, cassia bark, cinnamon bark, coriander seeds, lemon peel, licorice root, orange peel, and orris root.

While theirpotato-based vodka was a smash hit, spuds were not right for the expansion into gin. The team, led by William Chase, turned to another crop on the distillery's estate, the 200-year-old apple orchards. The botanicals includejuniper, coriander, angelica, licorice, orris, orange, lemon, hops, elderflower, and Bramley apple. It is bottled at a flavorful 48 percent alcohol by volume (ABV, 96 proof). Throughout the original gin boom of the 18th Century, those who enjoyed gin were typically drinking it mainly for the alcohol – with juniper, and other botanicals added primarily to make the spirit more palatable. Today, the situation is reversed, with many people making more considered choices and actively looking to reduce their alcohol consumption but keen to continue enjoying the classic gin flavour they have to love. The biggest innovation within the gin category for 100 years, Small Gin is the perfect solution – a real gin that allows you to mix a true G&T with just a fraction of the alcohol. The Denver, Colorado distillery is home to a variety of craft spirits including gins, whiskeys, vodka, liqueurs, and aperitifs. They even have an amaro and absinthe. If you have a recipe that calls for a hard-to-find or old-school spirit, they may have it. How do you use gin at your home bar? If you like gin and tonic, or you're a gin highball drinker, you may have preferences and want the flavor of the gin—whether it's heavy on the juniper or presents citrus notes, too—to be pronounced enough to come through. Gins that are flavored are sweeter and can be used in creative ways that will differentiate them from, say, a standard London dry gin.

Botanivore (45 percent ABV, 90 proof) is a flavor extravaganzaand unlike any other gin on the market. It is everything that is fascinating about gin rolled into a single glass: herbaceous, earthy, bright citrus, soft florals, noteworthy spices, and so much more. Each bottle of Small Gin comes with a specially designed 5ml measuring thimble making it easy to mix a perfect Small Gin and Tonic every time. If you can't find Portofino, we do also recommend Monkey 47 for a Negroni. It's complex, flavorful profile will nicely complement the oft-overbearing Campari.

The description of their Dry Rye Gin (49.5 percent ABV, 99 proof) certainly whets the palate. This gin is distilled entirely from rye and that gives it a genever-like feel. It's rich and malty with some of those signature rye spices that make rye whiskey special. In recent years, gin has become the UK’s most popular spirit – with over 83 million bottles of it sold in the UK last year. This has been largely due to the increase of independent, small-scale artisan distillers, producing true craft gins with unique and exciting flavours. While many of your favorite gins likely come from England, America’s distilling scene is having a gin moment. Homegrown producers are re-envisioning London dry and Old Tom gin with an American lean, highlighting locally sourced, all-American botanicals. Case in point: Gray Whale Gin, a California-based gin brand that sources ingredients from the West Coast, including Baja limes, Sonoma fir, wild-foraged sea kelp from the shores of Mendocino, and almonds from Central California. Recently launched by Cornish distillers G&Tea, The Great Earl Gin is a beautifully balanced gin, headlining their unique range of handcrafted Plough-to-Bottle gins.The St. George Spirits' portfolio includes gins, vodkas, whiskeys, liqueurs, and even absinthe. It is diverse but every bottle is of the highest quality and perfect examples of the small-batch revolution. Special considerations needed to be made to distill gin alongside whisky and McEwan and his team made that happen. Among other things, an otherwise abandoned Lomond still at the distillery was transformed specifically for the process.