A gin and tonic drink is what you think of when someone mentions the alcoholic beverage "Gin." Yet, not a lot of people lean towards drinking gin because they might find it intimidating or think that it's an old man's drink. However, gin is not just for cocktails it can also be a relaxing sipping glass of a fun time. There are so many ways that you can mix and master gin.
We here at The Tasty Barrel believe that if a liquor tastes incredible by itself either on the rocks or neat, then it will taste amazing in a cocktail.
Today we’re going to discuss the best gins under $40 that you can add to a cocktail and we'll mention a couple you can savor.
ABV: 47%
Region: Germany
Distillery: Black Forest Distillery
Avg. Price: $39.99
This enthusiastic botanical and delicious gin was created by Montgomery Collins who was a British Wing commander and the Royal Air Force. In 2008, his recipe was adopted by the Black Forest distiller, a German Distillery. The number 47 represents the number of botanicals used in creating this liquor and it's called monkey to remember Max the monkey.
Tasting Notes
Besides the awesome catchy name, this gin tastes flavorful. This is a uniquely styled and savory gin that goes through a rigorous process to capture its full body of flavors. It goes through three different distillations. It is distilled twice in sugar bead molasses, then it is stored for three months and aged in clay pots with its native Black Forest spring to add to the fruity, smooth, and harmonious flavors that make Monkey 47 absolutely desirable to drink on its own or in a cocktail. Monkey 47 is also mixed with lingonberries to give it that sour and tart but slightly sweet flavor.
You will taste juniper, pine needle, and lavender among other spices. The aroma is sweet berries mixed with fresh citrus peels and, of course, juniper.
Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin tastes fantastic in a Monkey and Cherries Cocktail — its cherry juice, lemon, soda, and monkey 47.
ABV: usually 43%
Region: Japan
Distillery: Suntory
Avg. Price: $29.99
The above photo says it all. The Suntory Roku Gin gives you a beautiful bottle to look at and the substance that it contains tastes great: it will give you the experience to remember.
Tasting Notes
Roku gin is made in Osaka, Japan by Japanese artisans. This is the first gin released by Suntory. The word Roku in Japanese means "six" which stands for the six Japanese botanicals used to create this masterpiece. They use cherry blossoms, cherry leaves, green tea, Gyokuro tea, sanshō pepper, and yuzu. In addition, there are eight other botanicals that are commonly used in gin.
By using these six high-quality ingredients, Suntory is showing a commitment to Japanese farmers and pride in their Japanese heritage.
Not only does Suntory Roku Gin have the finest of ingredients and every bottle, but it is made with century-old traditions and techniques of careful attention to detail. Suntory also has developed its own process of distillation bringing out each botanical flavor to balance the mix.
Suntory Roku Gin is best served in a cocktail or as a gin and tonic with ginger. Let us tell you a little secret: the Roku Gin is great by itself on the rocks.
ABV: 46%
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Avg. Price: $38
The Botanist Gin is not only distinct in its ensemble of flavors but it’s distilled in a place you would least expect a gin to be produced. In fact, this is the only dry gin that is made on the Scottish island.
Bruichladdich Distillery pays homage to the Isle of Islay by featuring its native botanicals. They use 22 local hand-foraged botanicals that make The Botanist a unique, however, palatable drinking experience.
Tasting Notes
The 22 botanicals fruits and spices are junipers, angelica, elderflower, heather flowers, gorse flowers, lady’s bedstraw flowers, apple mint, water mint, birch, bog myrtle, chamomile, cassia, cinnamon, thyme, clover, coriander, hawthorn, orange, lemon, lemon balm, meadowsweet, orris root, licorice, peppermint, sweet cicely, tansy, thistle, mugwort, and lastly, wood sage.
You'll first notice the cool minty apple and juniper. Then, it moves to a citrus lemon zest mid-palate and finally, on the back of the tongue, you’ll taste the spices and bright flower exposure. The Botanist is best served in a gin-inspired cocktail. Even non-gin enthusiasts will love this liquor!
ABV: 43%
Region: Ireland
Distillery: Drumshanbo
Avg. Price: $39.99
The Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin might be made in Europe, but it definitely has an Asian touch that gives off a delightful array of flavors but is very balanced on the palate.
Tasting Notes
When it first hits your nose, it blooms with a fruity citrus smell coming from three key fruit ingredients: lemon, grapefruit, and makrut lime. Then you'll notice the smell of herbs and spices. When you drink it, you'll taste a hint of green tea along with the other major botanicals needed to make one of the best-tasting gins on the shelves today. The other botanicals would include juniper, Macedonian juniper, angelica, caraway, cardamom, coriander, meadowsweet, orris root, and star anise.
Gunpowder Irish Gin has this distinct name because of the gunpowder tea or tea leaf that is cut and rolled into a small ball resembling gunpowder.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is distilled nowhere other than Drumshanbo, Ireland. The Shed Distillery is founded by P.J. Rigney and this distillery is the first one to open in the entire province of Connacht in over a century. PJ Rigney should be proud of his hard work because this is easily becoming an international hit.
ABV: 46%
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distillery: Bruichladdich
Avg. Price: $30
Junípero has a new stylish and modern-looking bottle that entices you to try out this flavorous gin. Junípero is the first American craft gin. It is still made in San Francisco, California, and gets its name from the dominant botanical that's in it, juniper berry.
The distillery team is so focused on making Junípero a multi-time award-winning gin, that they boost the normal citrus and juniper flavors by making each batch of Junípero in a small copper pot still, use bold botanicals from all over the world which creates a robust unfiltered 98.6 proof in bottles...now that is some strong stuff!
Tasting Notes
Here is the list of known botanicals that you can taste with every delicious drop: juniper, angelica root, lemon peel, bitter orange peel, orange peel, aniseed, grains of paradise, cardamom, cassia bark, orris root, cubeb, coriander
This will taste amazing in a gin and tonic with lime because of the juniper-centric taste yet, clean, crisp, and herbal notes. This is not a sipper unless you like a bold and strong flavorful gin.
ABV: 42%
Region: United Kingdom
Distillery: Thames Distillers
Avg. Price: $29.99
The Portobello Road Distillery was founded in 2011 by three BFFs (best friends forever for the older crowd) Paul Lane, Ged Feltham, and Jake Burger.
The Portobello Road Dry No. 171 Gin is mainly known in the London pubs. The aroma is amazing and it tastes even better.
Tasting Notes
It's made with English-grown wheat and eight botanicals to offer balance and to give excitement to your taste buds. Your mouth will experience notes of sweet, tart, and citrus zest. On your first sip, you will notice spices like cassia bark, nutmeg, and the coriander herb.
Their website mentions that they get their ingredients from all over the world such as "juniper berries and orris from Tuscany, Spanish lemon peels, bitter orange peels from Haiti or Morocco, nutmeg from Indonesia and cassia bark from South East Asia."
Portobello Road Dry Gin can be mixed with other spirits in a cocktail, but it is best served with tonic and a slice of pink grapefruit.
Conclusion
Delicious tasting gin can come from all over the world and transport you to that place. For instance, if you are interested in being mentally taken away to a British pub with a traditional take on gin, then Monkey 47 will do the job. However, if you want something with an Asian touch, then you should drink Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish gin or the Japanese-inspired Suntory Roku Gin.
If you're looking for a gin that uses botanicals from all over the world, Portobello Road Dry gin is perfect. Taste the botanicals of the Scottish islands with The Botanist gin. Finally, if you're looking for an American craft gin with strong bold flavors, then Junípero is an amazing choice!
Please, tell us below if any of the above gins are your favorite. Also, what gin do you like to mix in cocktails? What gin do you like to sip on the rocks? What’s the best gin under $40?
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