The gin trends worth trying, and the ones to avoid

The selection of gins on supermarket shelves has expanded in recent years, but according to our expert tasters there are some duds lurking among these bottles.

With the help of a panel of four experts, we tested 25 gins – 10 premium classic gins, seven Asian-inspired gins and eight pink gins. 

Our experts praised some gins as exemplary, with beautifully balanced flavours and authentic gin flavours, but others proved disappointing.

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Classic gins worth seeking out and why pink gin won't be for everyone

When testing premium, classic-style gins, we wanted to see if it was worth spending more on a bottle and if any brands stood out.

One gin in this category really shone, impressing experts with its perfectly balanced flavour and aroma. Several others were noteworthily good, while some fell a little flat. 

If you're intrigued by Asian gin, our experts also uncovered some real gems in this category, with two gins recommended as Best Buys.

Pink gin proved much more controversial. Our experts were largely unimpressed by these fruit-flavoured spirits, with some being slated for tasting nothing like gin, and many getting marked down for overly synthetic flavours.

However, if you prefer a sweeter drink, these may suit you – just don't expect a traditional gin taste and pay careful attention to the flavour notes to find the right match for you. 

Which? members can see how all the gins fared, and our top picks, in our guide to the best gins.

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Tips for buying gin

• Know your gin categories – London Dry is a classic option and has a crisp, dry flavour profile with dominant juniper notes, while variations such as Old Tom tend to be sweeter. Asian gins typically add layers of citrus, spice or floral notes, and pink gins can be a wide mix of possible flavours, from raspberry and redcurrant to pink grapefruit or generic 'berries'. 
• Try before you buy – get tips and try new options when you're out and about. Some Asian eateries will serve Asian gins to complement the food, which can be a good opportunity to test the waters, or branch out from the standard options at the pub to see what you prefer. Some brands sell mini bottles too, which are a good way to try a gin before committing to a full bottle.
• Don't get too swayed by marketing phrases such as ‘craft gin’, ‘bespoke’, ‘micro’ and ‘small batch’, these are pretty meaningless and aren't regulated, so they don't really tell you anything about the quality of the product.

Spend wisely with our expert taste recommendations: see our guide to the best extra virgin olive oil and best champagne

Our gin taste tests

In May 2024, we asked a panel of independent gin experts to rate 10 premium gins, eight pink gins and seven Asian-inspired gins. 

The taste test was blind, so they didn't know which gin they were trying, and each expert tried the gins in a different order to avoid any bias. After all the samples had been tasted and rated, the panel discussed any discrepancies in score and agreed which bottles deserved to be Best Buys.

See all our top food and drink recommendations.