Top 10 UK craft gin brands

The current boom in all things craft has never been more apparent than in the British gin market – here’s our countdown of the top 10 UK craft gin brands.

This is our pick of the top 10 UK craft gin brands

The craft section of the gin industry has seen extensive innovation in recent years – with increasingly more UK distillers looking to return to the country’s capital, the spirits historical home.

But while this may be so, some producers are choosing to handcraft their spirits in other parts of the UK, often reflecting a slice of that area’s own history.

The definition of craft gin is however itself a point of contention, with no clear definition. But the spirits industry seems to generally recognise gins which use hand-craftmanship, are created in small batches, and which appeal to their heritage, as craft products.

And as the premium gin market continues to gain pace across the world, with consumers seeking authenticity and history in their spirits, craft brands are carving a niche for themselves both in the on- and off-trade.

Click through the following pages to see our pick of the top 10 UK craft gin brands.

Dodd’s Gin

Released last year, Dodd’s Gin is indicative of the growing craze for UK craft gin distilled in the country’s capital, where gin has a fascinating, if somewhat chequered, history.

Distilled using organic botanicals including juniper, angelica, lime peel, bay laurel, cardamom, red raspberry leaf and London honey, Dodd’s Gin is the first product launched by The London Distillery Company, based in Battersea.

Bottled at 49.9% abv, Dodd’s Gin retails for £36.95.

Read more about the launch of Dodd’s Gin here.

Sipsmith

One of the best-known UK craft gin brands, London-based Sipsmith has tapped into growing international interest in London craft gins by announcing plans to launch in the UK, Canada, and Australia over the next year.

To cope with increased demand from all three new markets, Sipsmith is preparing to move to a larger site in London where a third pot still and small experimental pot still will be installed. The brand has also recently launched a product to meet demand for higher abv gins, called V.J.O.P (Very Junipery Over Proof).

Bottled at 41.6% abv, Sipsmith’s standard London Dry Gin retails for £29.45.

Read more about Sipsmith here.

Sacred Gin

When Sacred’s Gin’s craft distillery launched in Highgate in 2009, the brand paved the way for a swathe of other gin distillers eager to enter the market.

The gin is produced in small batches using 12 organically sourced botanicals which are macerated with English grain spirit and then distilled separately in glassware under vacuum.

Bottled at 40% abv, Sacred Gin retails for £26.45.

Gilt

Launched in February 2013, Gilt is a single malt gin made by Valt Vodka founder Ricky Christie using Scottish barley.

It is distilled in the Vale of Leven, near Loch Lomond, using a special hybrid still designed in Germany, that is part pot still and part column still.

Bottled at 40% abv, Gilt retails for £29.50.

Find out more about Gilt here.

Butler’s Gin

An artisanal gin produced in Hackney Wick, East London, Butler’s Gin celebrates the history of gin in Britain by drawing on a Victorian recipe.

The gin is placed in a 20-litre glass jar with infusion bags containing fresh lemongrass, cardamom, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, fennel, lemon and lime for 18 hours, after which time it is hand-bottled.

Bottled at 40% abv, Butler’s Gin retails for £33.69.

Darnley’s View

Created by Scottish boutique spirits company Wemyss Malts, Darnley’s View is named after the time when Mary Queen of Scots first met her future husband Lord Darnley at Wemyss Castle in 1565.

The London dry gin is a blend of six botanicals, including: juniper, lemon peel, coriander seed, angelica root, elderflower and orris root.

Bottled at 40% abv, Darnley’s View retails for £24.17.

Boxer Gin

This craft London Dry gin is produced by Greenbox Drinks – a sustainable spirits producer – and uses wild Himalayan juniper and three citrus ingredients: lemon, orange and bergamot.

Boxer Gin is described as having a “zesty nose with lemon peel and hints of candied orange” with “tangy with notes of exotic spice and blossom” on the palate.

Bottled at 40% abv, Boxer Gin retails for £34.39.

City of London Dry Gin

The City of London Dry Gin is created by the City of London Distillery – the first working distillery to open in the city centre in more than 200 years.

It is made using botanicals including: juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, liquorice root and fresh oranges, lemons and pink grapefruit.

Bottled at 40% abv, City of London Dry Gin retails for £32.50.

Warner Edwards Harrington Dry Gin

Created in a converted barn in Harrington, Northamptonshire, Warner Edwards Harrington Dry Gin is handcrafted every step of the way.

It is based on barley spirit flavoured with 11 botanicals sourced from farms in Wales and England.

Bottled at 44% abv, Warner Edwards Harrington Dry Gin retails for £33.

SW4 London Dry Gin

Named after the postcode of its place of origin, Clapham, South London, SW4 London Dry Gin is made in the style of the original London Dry Gins from the early 1800s.

It uses 12 traditional botanicals including: juniper, orris, angelica, and coriander, among others.

Bottled at 40% abv, SW4 London Dry Gin retails for £19.55.