The Gin Masters 2025 – Second Tasting results
Part two of The Gin Masters 2025 more than matched the quality of the first event, with Master medals aplenty.
Yes, mature gin markets are declining. But no, gin’s story is not over. There’s a lot of room left to grow for this category – with markets such as Texas, Illinois, New York, and Florida in the US showing positive trends for premium-plus products, IWSR noted in August. Texas held the biggest premium-plus share of total gin volumes in 2024 at 36%, IWSR data showed, followed by Illinois (33% share), New York (30%) and Florida (21%). Gin also remains the biggest blind tasting in The Global Spirits Masters Competitions (GSMC) calendar, still meriting two events to account for the volume of entries.
The Gin Masters – Second Tasting took place last month at The Singer Tavern in London. Four teams of independent judges were called upon to assess the calibre of entries. The first panel comprised Ruchira Neotia, drinks presenter, writer and founder of Ruchira’s Table; Emily Webster, senior PR and communications manager at The Whisky Exchange; and Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business magazine, and chair of The GSMC.
Group two was chaired by David T Smith, spirits writer, consultant and co-founder of the Craft Distilling Expo. He was joined by Richard Legg, founder of Distilled Knowledge, and Cosmo Boardman, creative director at Moore House Cocktail Co.
Bryan Rodriguez-Curtis, spirits buyer at Bottle Apostle, chaired the third team. Also judging in his group were Anne Jones, director of Limestone & Jones, and Tatti Sukamongkol, consumer and on-trade account manager at Wanderlust Wine.
The fourth and final group was led by Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor of The Spirits Business. Joining her for the blind tasting were Sarah Miller, founder of the Gin A Ding Ding blog, and Sara Jane Eichler, founder of Negroni Club UK.
To begin the day, gins were judged according to price point, starting with the most affordable bottlings. In the Standard flight (priced up to £15/US$20), a Master medallist was crowned in the form of Dolce Vita Mediterranean Distilled Dry Gin – Fruits Sauvages. The gin delivered a “citrussy, juniper-forward aroma, with bold flavour, citrus peel, and a touch of liquorice and spice. Really solid for under £15 – fantastic value.” Two Silvers closed an exciting opening flight.
In the Premium flight that followed (priced between £16 and £20) two Gold awards were given to “layered, oily, juniper-forward” Aviation American Gin, and Heaven & Hell Sibiberry Gin for its “berry notes, a hint of liquorice, and a touch of dark cocoa in the back – complex for the price”.
Moving to the Super-Premium (£21-£35) segment, Schroedinger’s Katzen Gin gained a Master medal. The gin was “bold and vibrant”, with “subtle citrus aromas, and a very long finish”. Nine Gold medals were also enjoyed here, and winners included “silky, complex and characterful” Bloom Gin, and “delicate, with touches of stone fruit and good juniper” Gingalalahu Indian Craft Dry Gin. Two Silver scores completed the flight.
The Ultra-Premium heat (£36+) was particularly strong, delivering a trio of Master medallists. One Master winner was Papa Salt Coastal Gin, praised for “a pretty confluence of herbs and flowers; intense citrus and plenty of pleasing earthy notes – well-rounded with great texture”.
Lots of spices
Also worthy of the Master title was Osmoz Classic, which impressed with its “complex nose, lots of spices, balanced citrus and well-integrated alcohol”. The third Master in this round was awarded to Bluff London Dry Gin, which showcased “herbaceous sweetness on the palate – a really accomplished gin, would be cracking in a Negroni”, noted Eichler.
Among the five Gold medal winners was “robust and flavourful” The Aberturret Gin. Three Silvers completed the high-scoring section. Reflecting on the price points, Neotia said: “The gins for under £15 were unbeatable value.”
Webster concurred, and added: “You can get so much flavour in a gin for under £15 – traditional botanicals, all the juniper you want. Then stepping up in price, you get to explore something different in the category, which is exciting and how it should be.”
The London Dry portion of the tasting continued the high standard, delivering three more Master medals. Australian Never Never Triple Juniper Gin was one of the Master recipients, liked for its “bright, juniper-forward nose with zesty lemon”, which led to “great intensity of flavour”. “Rich, resinous and cleanly distilled,” said Smith.
Booth’s London Dry Gin collected a Master medal for being “zesty, mineral with citric tang; laser finish with a lingering zesty fire – will indulge any tonic thrown at it”.
The third London Dry to win a Master medal was The Botanist Distiller’s Strength, whose “higher ABV of 50% was done very well”, noted Kiely. “Smooth to sip, dry palate, great flavour, well-balanced – exceptionally well made.”
Ten Gold medals gave the London Dry round a boost, and winners included, “bright and complex” Havbris Dry Gin; “spice, juniper and pine-led” Dingle Gin; and “nicely textured with bold flavours” Green Monkey London Dry Gin. The flight finished with six Silver medals being awarded.
“When done well, this is where gin really shines,” said Smith.
The scoring heated up as the judges progressed to the Contemporary category –which resulted in six Master medals.
Four Pillars Distillery bagged two of the top accolades, one for its Olive Leaf Gin and the second for its Rare Dry Gin. Olive Leaf Gin was “solidly made, balanced with a little buttery creaminess of the olive – lovely for Martinis”. Meanwhile, Rare Dry Gin was “juicy – flavoursome, sweet, delicious, weighty and viscous”.
The Master accolade was also bestowed upon Vanaha Artisanal Forest Gin, which impressed the judges in its accurate replication of flavours of the forest. “Piney, woody nose, petrichor through and through – surprising, and would stand up well to tonic,” Kiely’s panel noted.
Harmony Gin from Holistic Spirits Co also secured the Master title for its “complexity, defined botanicals, a green tea note and great texture”.
The “pronounced intensity” of Opihr Gin resulted in a Master medal. The judges detected flavours of “cumin, coriander, cardamom, garam masala – lovely texture”, they added. The sixth contemporary gin to collect a Master was (Bon) Gin by Plainstill Distillery. This gin left its mark with a “perfumed nose”, which developed into a “bold, robust palate with big juniper notes, a slight honeyed sweetness. Delicious, nice spices and very umami.”
“Wow, what a range – the forefront of innovation,” Smith said about the Contemporary round. Boardman agreed, and added: “Interesting, diverse range of products with some genuinely impressive, innovative examples of contemporary gins.”
The Contemporary round finished with 10 Golds and three Silvers. Gold-standard expressions included: “light, pleasant” Lost Horizon Rare Tea Gin; “floral, fresh, citrus” Padstow Gin Harbour Edition; “minty, menthol and green” Vogis Classic Dry Gin; and “smooth, medium-intensity, and enjoyable” Castle & Key Harvest Gin.
“This is a category that allows the distiller to play around a bit, so they should pull out all the stops,” Rodriguez-Curtis said. “This was a good, solid round that shows contemporary gins are still going strong.”
Tannic notes
In a short-and-sweet Microdistillery flight, Lost Horizon Rare Tea Gin collected a Gold medal for its “tannic, black tea” notes on the palate. The Organic flight was also to the point, presenting a Master medallist in Harmony Gin by Holistic Spirits Co. “Apricots, soft caramel, baked apples; full, rich, warming and very autumnal,” the judges said.
In the Old Tom flight, the Gold standard was met by Gin Pozvacin Old Tom. Legg detected “citrus and spice” on the nose, with “lemon and ginger character, and a light finish”.
The Cask-Aged round also showed the skill of gin makers today, as a Master and two Gold medals were celebrated. The top accolade went to The Botanist Cask Rested Gin, with “light oaky notes” on the nose. Kiely said: “The palate is still distinctively gin, but it has indulgent notes of caramel, vanilla. Rich and luxurious – this is a great example of cask maturation.”
Stablemate The Botanist Cask Aged Gin collected a Gold medal, as did Analogías Reposado, whose “light Tequila influence complemented the gin well”.
The excitement continued in the Navy Strength contingent, where Never Never Juniper Freak was awarded one of three Master medals. “Green juniper branches on the nose, herbaceous juniper on the palate continues through to a long finish. Well-integrated and balanced,” noted Miller.
Full Storm Navy Gin received a Master medal for being “cleanly distilled, with a touch of sweet juniper and citrus – superb”.
The third Master winner in the Navy Strength round was Mainline Spirit Co’s Navvy, which had an “exceptionally fruity nose, rich, complex palate, and a lovely, oily, rich texture”. Three Golds and two Silvers completed the flight.
“A very solid flight,” reflected Legg. “Some of these showed amazing alcohol integration considering the higher ABV.”
Miller was also left impressed. “Banging – nice to see the variety. Strongest flight of the day,” she enthused.
As the groups approached the last few heats, in the Pink Gin round a Gold medal plus two Silvers were awarded. Pure Origin Tasmanian Pink Gin secured the Gold, liked for flavours of “light red fruits, rosewater and a hint of spice and juniper”.
A quartet of Gold winners were unearthed in the Flavoured Gin portion of the tasting, alongside two Silvers. Juniperus Distillatus Solaris was one of the Gold medallists. Tasting notes included “lemon peel, grape character, and plenty of underlying juniper”.
In the final round, Gin Liqueur, one last Gold and a final Silver medal were enjoyed. The Gold went to Hachiouji Craft Liqueur, which had “lots going on” across the aroma and palate. “It’s well-balanced – hard to believe it’s 40% ABV,” the judges noted, adding it would be great in cocktails.
After a swift break to recharge the palates, the judges approached the final assessment of the day: The Gin Taste Master. Master medallists from the first arm of the tasting were brought back into the fold for the final assessment. This year, that title was claimed by Australian gin Never Never Juniper Freak.
In both portions of The Gin Masters 20025, it’s plain to see the exceptionally high standards producers adhere to. Combined with continued creativity and flavour development, the industry should feel confident in gin’s longevity. Just like there are many markets for gin to still break into, there’s a breadth of flavours and styles for gin lovers to discover – and long may it continue.
The Gin Masters – First Tasting 2025 results are available to read online.
| Standard | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Bagnoli Group | Dolce Vita Mediterranean Distilled Dry Gin – Fruits Sauvages | Master |
| Bagnoli Group | Dolce Vita Giardini Capresi Bergamotto | Silver |
| Bagnoli Group | Dolce Vita Distilled Dry Gin | Silver |
| Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Diageo | Aviation American Gin | Gold |
| Kiss of Immortality | Heaven & Hell Sibiberry Gin | Gold |
| Super-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| HS Heidelberg Spirits | Schroedinger’s Katzen Gin | Master |
| Martin Miller’s Gin | Martin Miller’s Original Gin | Gold |
| Quintessential Brands Group | Bloom Gin | Gold |
| Imagination Distilling | Imagination Triple Distilled Dry Gin | Gold |
| Gin Foles | Foles | Gold |
| Bongin | Gin Bongin | Gold |
| 13 Oaks Gin | Vibrant Lime | Gold |
| Devans Modern Breweries | Gingalalahu Indian Craft Dry Gin | Gold |
| AMA Whiskey & Co | God Spirits | Gold |
| Kakira Sugar | Kakira African Dry Gin – Distillers Cut | Gold |
| Kakira Sugar | Kakira African Dry Gin | Silver |
| Castle & Key Distillery | Castle & Key Roots of Ruin Gin | Silver |
| Ultra-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Lucky Liquor | Papa Salt Coastal Gin | Master |
| Chateau Montifaud | Osmoz Classic | Master |
| Bluff Distillery | Bluff London Dry Gin | Master |
| The Glenturret | The Aberturret Gin | Gold |
| Martin Miller’s Gin | Martin Miller’s 9 Moons Gin | Gold |
| Iron Balls International | Iron Balls Gin | Gold |
| Pinkmead Estate & Vineyard | Pinkmead Estate Wild Samphire Gin | Gold |
| Copperpenny Distilling | Ember Smoked Gin | Gold |
| House of Elrick | House of Elrick Original | Silver |
| House of Elrick | House of Elrick Hibiscus & Kaffir Lime | Silver |
| Martin Miller’s Gin | Martin Miller’s Westbourne Gin | Silver |
| London Dry | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Never Never | Triple Juniper Gin | Master |
| Sazerac | Booth’s London Dry Gin | Master |
| Bruichladdich Distillery | The Botanist Distiller’s Strength | Master |
| Dingle Distillery | Dingle Gin | Gold |
| Coast & Copper Distillery | Havbris Dry Gin | Gold |
| Coles Liquor Group | Mayfair London Dry Gin | Gold |
| Plainstill Distillery | (Bon) Gin | Gold |
| Fanny’s Distilling | Green Monkey London Dry Gin | Gold |
| KJ & Co Distillery | Last Minute Original Gin | Gold |
| Kringler Farm Distillery | London Dry Gin | Gold |
| Bruichladdich Distillery | The Botanist Islay Dry Gin | Gold |
| Analogías | Analogías Romero | Gold |
| Tack Room Distillery | Tack Room Distillery London Dry Gin | Gold |
| Quintessential Brands Group | Greenall’s Original London Dry Gin | Silver |
| Schwarze und Schlichte & Co | Knut Hansen Gin | Silver |
| Savalan – Aspi Winery | Savalan Gin | Silver |
| Analogías | Analogías Limon | Silver |
| Bottleneck Distillers | Freestate Bottleneck Sloe Gin | Silver |
| Selvatiq | Mediterranean Gin | Silver |
| Contemporary | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Four Pillars Distillery | Olive Leaf Gin | Master |
| Four Pillars Distillery | Rare Dry Gin | Master |
| Revelry Distillery Private | Vanaha Artisanal Forest Gin | Master |
| Holistic Spirits Co | Harmony Gin | Master |
| Quintessential Brands Group | Opihr | Master |
| Plainstill Distillery | (Bon) Gin | Master |
| Gabor Vincze | Ginotello | Gold |
| Padstow Distilling | Padstow Gin Harbour Edition | Gold |
| Vogis | Vogis Classic Dry Gin | Gold |
| Never Never | Oyster Shell Gin | Gold |
| Sensi Vigne e Vini | Floyd | Gold |
| Copperpenny Distilling Co | Lost Horizon Rare Tea Gin | Gold |
| Castle & Key Distillery | Castle & Key Harvest Gin | Gold |
| Tiny Tower Liquor | Unicorn Gin | Gold |
| GinPLZ | GinPLZ | Gold |
| Do Good Spirits | Staple Gin | Gold |
| Mainline Spirit Co | Bullet Gin | Silver |
| Coles Liquor Group | Pure Origin Tasmanian Gin | Silver |
| Castle & Key Distillery | Castle & Key Rise Gin | Silver |
| Microdistillery | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Copperpenny Distilling Co | Lost Horizon Rare Tea Gin | Gold |
| Organic | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Holistic Spirits Co | Harmony Gin | Master |
| Old Tom | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Destilarna Pozvacin, Boštjan Gabor | Gin Pozvacin Old Tom | Gold |
| Cask-Aged | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Bruichladdich Distillery | The Botanist Cask Rested Gin | Master |
| Bruichladdich Distillery | The Botanist Cask Aged Gin | Gold |
| Analogías | Analogías Reposado | Gold |
| Navy Strength | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Never Never | Juniper Freak | Master & Taste Master |
| Coast & Copper Distillery | Full Storm Navy Gin | Master |
| Mainline Spirit Co | Navvy | Master |
| Four Pillars Distillery | Navy Strength Gin | Gold |
| Madrona Distillery | Madrona Navy Strength American | Gin Gold |
| Destilarna Pozvacin, Boštjan Gabor | Gin Pozvacin Navy Strenght | Gold |
| Spirito Artigiano – Lucanian Distillery | Frido Gin – Navy Strength | Silver |
| Heart of Scotland Distillery | Navy Strength – London Dry Gin | Silver |
| Pink Gin | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Coles Liquor Group | Pure Origin Tasmanian Pink Gin | Gold |
| Coles Liquor Group | Mayfair Pink Gin | Silver |
| Coast & Copper Distillery | Sommarbris Pink Gin | Silver |
| Flavoured Gin | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Freyja Vin | Juniperus Distillatus Solaris | Gold |
| KJ & Co Distillery | Last Minute Pink Gin | Gold |
| Coles Liquor Group | Mayfair Rhubarb & Ginger Gin | Gold |
| Kiss of Immortality | Heaven & Hell Damask Rose Gin | Gold |
| Never Never | Ginache | Silver |
| Coles Liquor Group | Mayfair Blood Orange & Yuzu Gin | Silver |
| Gin Liqueur | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Hachioji Craft Liqueur | Hachioji Craft Liqueur | Gold |
| Freyja Vin | Juniperus Distillatus Delicatus | Silver |
| Super-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Diageo | Tanqueray No. Ten | Master |
| Von Berg Spirits | Von Berg Distilled Gin | Master |
| D.J. Limbrey Distilling Company | D1 London Gin | Master |
| Eden Mill St Andrews | Golf Gin | Master |
| Ultra-Premium | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Defiant Ones UK | Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop | Master |
| Archie Rose Distilling Co | Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin | Master |
| Home House | Home House Gin | Master |
| Kiss of Immortality | Heaven & Hell Dubai Oud Gin | Master |
| Hernö Gin Distillery | Hernö Botanical Flavoured Gin | Master |
| Hamada Syuzou Co | Sasshu Gin | Master |
| BBC Spirits | Etsu The Original | Master |
| London Dry | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| La Martiniquaise-Bardinet | Gibson’s London Dry | Master |
| Rockland Distilleries | Colombo No 9 with Earl Grey London Dry Gin | Master |
| Maison Ferrand | Citadelle Original | Master |
| Callington Mill Distillery | Poltergeist Unfiltered Gin | Master |
| Contemporary | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Callington Mill Distillery | Poltergeist Citrus | Master |
| Lark Distilling Co | Forty Spotted Citrus & Pepperberry | Master |
| Lark Distilling Co | Forty Spotted Classic | Master |
| Zambian Meadery | Alvearium Gin | Master |
| Árpád Pálinka | Árpád Paprika – Sweet Pepper Gin | Master |
| Torre London | London Mate Dry Gin | Master |
| Navy Strength | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Edinburgh Gin | Cannonball | Master |
| Naught Distilling | Naught Overproof Gin | Master |
| Cask-Aged | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Renais Spirits | Renais Grand Cru Cask-Aged Gin | Master |
| Callington Mill Distillery | Poltergeist Barrel Aged | Master |
| Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery | Navy Strength Gin | Master |
| Rademon Estate Distillery | Shortcross Cask Aged Gin | Master |
| Old Tom | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Edinburgh Gin | Edinburgh Gin Old Tom | Master |
| Hernö Gin Distillery | Hernö Old Tom Gin | Master |
| Organic | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Hernö Gin Distillery | Hernö Dry Gin | Master |
| K. Antonakakis | Truce of Gin | Master |
| Genever | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Lucas Bols | Bols Genever Barrel Aged | Master |
| Sloe Gin | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Pernod Ricard | Plymouth Sloe Gin | Master |
| Gin Liqueur | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Edinburgh Gin | Rhubarb & Ginger Liqueur | Master |
Related news
SB's 12 Drinks of Christmas – Mermaid Winter Gin
