The very best flavoured gins

It might seem odd to include Herno Botanical, which is easily the most stripped back example I've experienced, in an article about flavoured gins.

All gin is flavoured when you think about it - there's no minimum number of ingredients as long as it has juniper in it. On the flip side, there's no maximum either, and this has given rise to gins with 40+ botanicals.

Herno has only added coriander seed, and you could be forgiven for thinking this makes it taste a bit boring, but nothing could be further from the truth. Paring it back means you get a big hit of fresh, woody juniper, and the complimentary earthy warmth of coriander.

As such it makes a brilliant G&T, and because it doesn't have a load of potentially conflicting flavours, it's great in a cocktail too. Herno says this is a "no buzzword gin" and free from "nonsense additives and fairytale botanicals". Less is definitely more in this case - it's absolutely superb.

Pink gin often looks spectacular in the bottle with a subtle salmon hue, but that subtlety doesn't always translate into the flavour profile, which can be overly sweet and artificial tasting.

None of that here in the award winning Salcombe Gin Rose Santa Marie, which balances the combination of punchy juniper with strawberry sweetness and rose petal perfume.

It's my absolute go-to gin at the moment, transporting me to the warm Mediterranean with every sip.

Fruity gin fans look no further, particularly if you prefer citrus to a more traditional juniper-forward gin. This Brockmans Orange Kiss is a summery delight.

Making for a sweet G&T overall, its strong orange notes add a sophisticated bitter edge, plus there's a subtle spice and nutiness too.

For a gin and tonic with a really citrus kick I've been mixing in half a measure of Limoncello too.

The world's first and most awarded strawberry gin comes from Spain, and has been on the market since 2013. If you like fruity and sweet cocktails this is an ideal addition, but it works just as well in a G&T.

You can dial back the strawberry flavour by mixing in a second measure of a more neutral gin - this brings out the zesty and juniper flavour - but a double shot of this mixed with a slimline tonic is the best way to enjoy its unique and powerful taste.

Sweet and aromatic, I've found fans of this Puerto de Indias among gin fans and non-gin fans I've shared it with. It'd be great paired with a long afternoon in the garden with friends.

This Swedish gin is based on Herno's award-winning Dry Gin, but left at a punchy 57% vol. instead of the standard 40.5%. Navy Strength means it's strong enough so that you can still ignite gunpowder that's been soaked in it - useful when you store the two together below decks, but less of a practicality concern these days.

The fact it's less dilute means (as well as being more alcoholic) it also has a more intense flavour than the standard bottle, and in theory means you can get away with using a smaller measure.

Thing is, I've tried this before with expensive cheese before, and I just ended up eating more cheese, so the same happened with this Herno Navy Strength. It also comes in a 500ml bottle and in combination with how delicious it is, meant it didn't last very long at all.

Full of the bright freshness I've come to enjoy from Herno's Dry Gin with a strong juniper and citrus taste, I was expecting a harshness from the alcohol but actually found it surprisingly smooth. It works just as well neat, in a Martini, or a classic G and T and is a real treat in any combination.

Elephant Gin is an adventurous drop with a traditional backbone that will appeal to classic gin fans and those who enjoy a fruity flavour profile alike. This African Explorer release is a special edition to celebrate ten years since the original spirit was created.

Inspired by a trip to Africa, Elephant uses a blend of 14 botanicals, including several rare ingredients. The first thing you'll notice is the buchu leaves - or rather the deep blackcurrant note and lasting minty freshness they impart. It's not overpowering though, and in fact really compliments the juniper base. There are even some floral and spicy additions that linger on.

I think you need to try this (fullstop) with a neutral tonic water, to really enjoy the exotic aromatics in this gin. African Explorer will be available from the link above after launch.

Name a better gift than gin in the post. We can wait. Whether for a friend or for yourself, the idea of getting a new and exciting drop every month for a year sounds absolutely brilliant.

Carefully selected gins from around the world arrive in a letterbox-shaped package like clockwork, with the spirit itself contained in an innovative and recyclable pouch.

My sample for review contained three gins I'd not encountered, but all of which I'd like to drink again - Dizonv, Eight Lands and GlenWyvis. Each contained 100ml, enough for two doubles, and a useful card with tasting notes.

The former comes from Bretagne and is blended with cider brandy before bottling. Sounds odd, tastes incredible.

Currently there's 20% off a 12-month Gin Me Subscription Gift Box if you use the code BLACKFRIDAY20 during November too.

Gin aged in a barrel made of juniper wood sounded like something I absolutely needed to try for myself, and the fact it comes from the distillery of my favourite gin made it only more intriguing. The smell is front loaded with citrus and a hint of wood, and this is exactly how it tastes too.

I think I was expecting it to be very heavy on the juniper but it's actually really balanced and smooth, with delicate and subtle warmth from the wood interacting with sharp lemon and a sweet finish. The result makes you think "oh that's interesting" usually as you're walking to the kitchen to pour another.

But it's a bit of a grower - I'm not sure I fully appreciated it at first because I'd watered it down with too much tonic (hint - any tonic is too much tonic when it comes to this gin). Much better either neat with an ice cube or in a martini where the flavour can really take centre stage.

That's not to say it's no good in a G and T, but you'll miss out on all the nuanced flavours this bottle features over and above the standard Herno gin. This happens to be my go-to, because it's absolutely fantastic, but this cask aged variety is well worth a try.

Floral gin is definitely something I've grown to love - it can be quite an acquired taste, and diverges wildly from the usual sweet/savoury/citrus/juniper flavour balance you typically find in a G and T.

This bottle from Hendrick's is just about the most floral example I've come across. Right off the bat it transports you to a summer garden, with a scent absolutely full of flowers and cut grass.

Serve it neat or with a splash of tonic and there are all sorts of unusual and intriguing elements like lavendar and a slightly medicinal chamomile vibe. This is backed up by a very prominent juniper backbone, to remind you this is a gin and not a herbal tea.

Hendrick's recommends mixing a double measure into a Wildgarden Cup cocktail - essentially soda water with lemon juice, raspberries, mint and cucumber - which is perfect for a long afternoon in the garden. Dial it back by using a single measure of this and another of unflavoured gin if you want.

Now this is something really special that will appeal to everyone from gin newbies to those looking for something different - flavoured with neroli (a product of bitter orange blossom), this spirit makes a G&T quite unlike anything I've ever tried.

Floral and citrusy with a delicate juniper taste, it is as close to drinking a floral perfume I think you can get. Pure summertime sweetness balanced by an earthy spice that lingers on the palate.

It is quite a complex flavour though that clashed a bit when I tried it with apple juice. I recommend getting the least imposing tonic you can find to really enjoy it - better yet mix it into a martini, or allow it to really showcase itself by drinking it neat.

Back by popular demand, this festive gin packs a citrus punch with warming spice and a signature cloudy appearance (providing you mix your G&T in a clear glass, which I did the second time around).

These are all things I love about the non-Christmas Cotswolds gin but it feels like they've been dialled up here, especially the tangy orangey hit. I even followed one reviewer's advice and tried it with some star anise and this really complimented the earthy base note of heat.

Perfect with a turkey sandwich before falling asleep during The Holiday.

Like the gin flavoured with port that we’ve tried below, this is another unusual mix, this time benefiting from a crisp white wine. The result is a smooth and sweet gin, full of warming honey and floral notes.

I reckon it’s a great all-rounder - delicate enough for those new to gin, with enough intrigue for those who normally like punchier aromatics.

As such it’s dangerously ridiculously easy to drink, and yet complex – the finish is herbal, earthy and slightly spicy, topped off with a chalky champagne crispness.

The last few years have seen some truly unique gin flavour combinations, but it's fair to say none have caught our imagination quite like this one, aged in a port barrel. This lends an intriguing, woody note that sits well with Conker's signature Dorset Dry Gin and its heavy juniper pine.

The light pink tinge extracted from the walls of the barrel is reminiscent of a late summer sunset, too. We thought it might taste a bit like someone has snuck a measure of port into your G&T - it doesn't, but instead gains warming oak and a slight sweetness.

Other barrel-aged gins we've tried have been intensly woody, this is pleasingly less so, and is really good, especially neat over ice.

London-based 58 Gin was the UK's Gin Producer of the Year in 2020 and this particular bottle won a three-star mark at The Great Taste Awards 2021, so it comes with some serious credentials.

A classic London Dry presented in classy art-deco packaging (which is 100% recycled and recyclable - even the cork), it has very quickly become my go-to for a classic G&T. Smooth and piney with a nicely balanced hit of citrus, I also really enjoyed showcasing this special gin in a dry Martini, where the quality of its botanicals could really sing.

A no-nonsense yet delicious taste that will have you revisiting the ice tray again and again.

This Apple & Elderberry Gin is the latest limited edition offering from Wildjac, which produces a new flavoured gin every quarter celebrating the flavours of the season. Autumn, in this instance.

It's not citrusy like most gin but has a real floral, red fruit vibe mixed with a bite of apple. The result is something less dry than a regular gin, making it a perfect match for slimline tonic.

That said, I thought it worked really well with cranberry juice, and I'll be trying it with apple juice as soon as we've got some. Oh, and the entire bottle (including cork and labels) is 100% recycled.

Cooper King Discovery Gin is a spirit that's good for your conscience – not only is it carbon neutral but proceeds from every sale go to the Natural History Museum to help fund research and encourage others to take better care of the world.

That's quite a punchy pledge and it's backed up with a suitably punchy flavour profile – peppery at first thanks to a hit of clove and a savoury dryness from basil and lemongrass.

It's familiar but intriguing and that makes it a perfect gift for an eco-conscious gin drinker. The museum describes it as a 'brilliant and inventive way to promote positive change'. Cheers to that.