Gin is a long beloved spirit with origins in 17th-century Netherlands. It soon made its way to Britain and gained widespread popularity during the reign of William of Orange. While dozens of variations are available, most contain a strong hint of juniper berries. Gin is always made with a neutral spirit as the base. From there, producers from around the world have formulated their own blends with differing combinations of botanicals infused for the maceration process. Smoother varieties can be acquired by using a pot still for the maceration.

Unlike most other spirits, Gin has quite a bit of wiggle room when its tasting profile is defined. While juniper berries should always form a key part of the flavour, other flavours like citrus, cucumber, and other botanicals are also becoming contemporary norms.

If you love variety, then Gin is the spirit that provides a wide gamut of options. Wales, for instance, is home to Dà Mhìle Distillery, makers of small-batch farmhouse Gins and even a seaweed Gin. Since Gin is a fruit and botanical-heavy drink, it is even more important that you opt for an organic variety where every ingredient comes from a natural source.