The very best flavoured gins

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.

I've included both these flavours of Aber Falls Welsh gin because they're both delicious and I can't choose between them. If you need warming up, try the marmalade - it's surprisingly wonderful. It's a bit more orange jelly than marmalade, but that's not a bad thing. Feeling more summery? Try the rhubarb & ginger flavour - the rhubarb is that perfect combination of sweet and sour then the ginger hits you round the back of the head and wakes you up. I also love the brand as I've been on holiday close to where the gin is distilled and that makes me happy.

If you love a G&T then you'll likely have sampled it with a twist of lemon many times before. This new variety from Gordon's saves the need for extra fruit and is full of the taste of Sicily. It's not for the faint-hearted and you need to really, really love lemon – but if you do, this is a zesty alternative ready for summer.

A good option for fans of pink gin, this Greenall's offering is full of berry flavours, ideal for autumn, especially if you've just been sloe picking for your own gin. Great with ginger beer, if you fancy a change from tonic.

New from Scottish micro-distillery Porter's, this Orchard gin blends green apples and pears with juniper, recreating a Champagne flavour in homage to Blanc de Blanc Champagne. While it's understandably nothing like a chilled glass of fizz, it does have subtle hints that you'll enjoy if you're a Champagne fan. The apple makes it great for autumn evenings - I've even tried this with warm apple juice for a special treat.

If you are after something fresh and perfect for Summer, the Portobello Road Gin Distillery has just added this savoury gin to their impressive range. Inspired by the botanicals of Corsica and the surrounding Mediterranean area, you should expect hints of bergamot, rosemary, basil and green olive, and a pinch of salt. Served best with the Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water with a slice of lemon and a sprig of rosemary, your taste buds are most certainly in for a treat.

Grab a bottle of this limited edition Sipsmith offering - the chilli heat is perfect for autumn and the hint of gin keeps it fresh. This is great with a straight tonic, but also good if you want a different version of a margarita, too.

If you like white wine and gin, then why not try white wine gin? It's a gin that tastes like white wine. But it's gin. OK, so we don't really understand why you wouldn't just have a glass of white wine, but we're not here to judge. You can also get red and rose versions too. It's quite nice, and it does taste of white wine, so I was pretty happy testing this one for an evening.

A strong flavour, this passion fruit gin couldn't be called subtle and is a really fun gin. The bright yellow colour also makes it great for cocktail making.

Now, I'll admit to never having had a quince, whether it be a jam or sliced like the Owl and the Pussycat, so I didn't know what to expect with this flavoured gin, but I was impressed. It's fruity and fragrant but in a warm, autumnal way. It's good with normal tonic, but also tasty with lemonade and fresh apple as a garnish if you fancy something a bit different.

Two Birds is a fabulous brand offering quality flavoured (and normal) gin and other spirits, and this new flavour doesn't disappoint. Now, I'm not a fan of pomegranate normally, but the zing of the grapefruit makes this a delicious summer gin to sip. When I say sip, I mean drink two tumblers' worth in quick succession, obviously.

When I tried this, I wondered if the dryness of cranberry would be too much, as gin is normally dry anyway. But actually, this was delicious - just enough sweetness, and really moreish. Really moreish. Did I say it was moreish?

A bit of a different one, this gin contains botanicals that have all been sent to space. Yes, you read that correctly - it's a bit Elon Musk, this one. It contains juniper, coriander, cubeb pepper, fresh lemon peel, chamomile flowers, cardamom, dried bitter orange peel, cinnamon, liquorice root and angelica were all sent into the stratosphere at an altitude of about 20km where they were exposed to extremely low pressures. What does that do to the flavour? Well, I don't know that I could taste space dust or the moon's atmosphere, but it's a pretty delicious gin all the same. Notes of citrus and even a bit of lemon sherbet come through, but it's balanced by the herbs.

Now, can a gin really taste like a Jaffa Cake? REALLY? Well, yes, this one does actually, quite a bit. Admittedly, it's not the same as chomping on a half-moon of delicious cake (yes, it's a cake, not a biscuit), but it comes pretty close. It's one of the few flavoured gins that captures a chocolate flavour, and the orange notes are fantastic. We tried this with a plain tonic and also with a hint-of-lemon tonic, and both worked well.

Fellow writer Will said: "I'd buy this just because of how fancy the bottle is. A bonus is how good it tastes - it's a bit like Um Bongo." What more of a recommendation do we need? It's got nine botanicals, plus pineapple and a hint of mango, too.

This Bloom Passionfruit and Vanilla Blossom Gin might be my new favourite weekend drinkypoo. It's fruity but the vanilla gives it a special something else (I'm forever harping on to my other half about how vanilla isn't a sweet flavour, our brains just think it is because we always have it with cakes, and that in Scandinavia they eat it with fish...). The Raspberry and Rose one is great too, as again the sweetness is cut through with some sharpness to really go well with the gin botanicals.

I love sloe gin. I make it myself a lot. However, it's really time-consuming, so I'll happily save myself weeks of stewing it and just buy a good bottle instead. This sloe gin is great - a real depth of flavour, and great to drink either with tonic or on its own to really warm the cockles.

This gin from Salcombe Gin basically tastes like summer, so it's perfect for those long, lazy afternoons in the garden. A dry rosé gin with no added sugar, it has notes of fresh lemon peel, strawberries and orange blossom - a real treat for the senses.

OK so it's not a flavoured gin just like the others, but this is a bit different all the same. It's made from four types of potatoes and includes champagne essence. By the way, it's named after the town of Muff on the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal. Take your minds out the gutter.

Parma Violets are a bit like Marmite in the office – love it or hate it. This gin is not only flavoured with the famous purple sweets but also has a glittery shimmer unicorn sparkle. You will love or hate this, definitely. Personally, I hate it.

A really different taste, with notes of honey and floral sweetness in this gin. There's also a hint of basil that goes with the juniper, but I'd only recommend this if you're a massive fan of honey - it's not one for everyone.

Fellow colleague and tester Alan said: "A little sticky and a whole lot tasty, this pineapple gin glides down your throat. I didn't know spit-roasting pineapples was a thing until I tried this, but now I don't want to be in a world without this sweet, sweet nectar. Its strong caramelised pineapple flavour will always leave you wanting more. For bonus points, drink it straight - you won't regret it."

Fellow writer Jade said: "This gin has a unique smell and is very sweet - maybe a bit too sweet for some people. Great paired with spicy mixers like ginger ale or spiced tonics." Having it after some actual apple crumble might be a bit much, mind.

Want a mellow feeling alongside your gin heat? Try this CBD/Strawberry gin. It's an acquired taste as the strawberry is very, very sweet, but there are citrus notes to balance it out. Full disclosure: I didn't feel at all stoned when I drank this.