FIVE OF THE BEST British Gins

Gin has a very long history in England, but the gin scene in the British Isles has never been as exciting as it is today. The ‘ginaissance’ that has seen the popularity of the spirit rocket in recent years contributed to 124 new distilleries opening in 2020, bringing the UK’s total to 563, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association. Even the Queen has got in on the act, launching Buckingham Palace Gin last year. These five regional gins give a real flavour of where in the British Isles they are made, often through a signature mix of local botanicals.

1 Arbikie Kirsty’s Gin

£31.90-£38.95

Amazon UK, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, Royal Mile Whiskies, The Drink Shop, The Whisky Exchange

Kirsty’s is named after Arbikie’s master distiller Kirsty Black, who chose local botanicals to represent the distinct landscape and surroundings. Kelp, carline thistle and blaeberries embody the elements of ocean, rock and land that surround the Arbikie estate’s Scottish east coast farmlands. Farmers since 1660, the estate grows, distils and bottles on site, in a true field-to-bottle operation. Fresh and crisp, with black pepper, seaside notes – almost an iodine tang – and a subtle, wild florality. Alcohol 43%

2 Conker Dorset Dry Gin

£34.40-£40.95

Amazon UK, Dike & Son, Distillers Direct, Fortnum & Mason, Master of Malt, The Little Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange, Waitrose Cellar The name conjures up images of crisp autumn walks in the

English countryside, and this Dorset gin is produced with local botanicals top of the list. In spring, when Dorset’s clifftops are ablaze with bright yellow, prickly gorse bushes, the distillery team pick enough gorse flowers to last for a year, vacuum packing to lock in the flavours and aromas. Other local elements include New Forest Spring Water, samphire, elderberries and coriander seed from Sussex. Slightly less dry than the classic London dry style. Alc 40%

3 Jin Môr Gin

£34.95-£40.99

Amazon UK, Ludlow Farmshop, Master of Malt, ND John, Saxtys

This Welsh ‘gin of the sea’ enhances classic botanicals with a pinch of the famous Halen Môn sea salt from the Isle of Anglesey. The owners of Halen Môn ran an oyster farm, fish and game wholesaling business and an aquarium before hitting on the idea of making sea salt. The gin is distilled in Snowdonia using water from the mountains, for a true taste of coastal North Wales. The lick of salinity perfectly balances the earthy juniper-berry flavours. Alc 43%

4 Shortcross Gin

£32.95-£40

Amazon UK, Fortnum & Mason, Master of Malt, Spirits Kiosk, The Good Spirits Co Ireland’s most awarded gin is distilled on the historic Rademon estate in County Down. Husband and wife team David and Fiona Boyd-Armstrong married in 2011 and launched their gin just three years later. The first gin to be distilled in Northern Ireland, Shortcross is named after nearby Crossgar village, which translates from Gaelic as ‘ Short Cross’. Inspired by the local flora, botanicals include wild clover, apples, elderflowers and elderberries. Try it with elderflower tonic and a twist of orange peel. Alc 46%

5 The Lakes Gin

£30.65-£39.50

Amazon UK, Drinks & Co, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, Ocado, The Drink Shop, The Whisky Exchange

This elegantly packaged gin is inspired by the beautiful Lake District National Park in northwest England: a Unesco World Heritage site. A classic London style, the recipe features only a few botanicals – including coriander, orris root and cassia bark – and uses pure water from the Lakes. The result is a classic English gin with vibrant notes of juniper, cracked black pepper and orange peel. It’s incredibly smooth and harmonious to taste. Recommended garnish: pink grapefruit. Alc 46%