There’s no wrong time of year for gin. In the summer, when paired with tonic and lime, it’s an unstoppable force of refreshment. In the fall and the frigid winter months, a gin gimlet, Negroni, gin fizz, or a gin-based martini all offer crisp mini-vacations from the darker, aged spirits.
With all the gins available, we know there are bottles out there that deserve way more attention than they get. To that end, we asked the pros behind the bar to help us find the most undervalued bottles of gin on the market. Check out all of their answers below.
St. George Terroir Gin
Daniel Yang, lead bartender at Electra Cocktail Club inside The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $38
Why This Gin?
A gin I’ve raved about since the day I first tasted it, Terroir Gin from St. George. For those who enjoy a more unique gin, this Douglas Fir forward gin offers you essentially a taste of California. With its prominent woodsy taste, I’d happily pay up to $20 for this baby in a martini or on the rocks.
Pomp & Whimsy Gin
Jiovana Ruiz, bartender at Eataly New York City Downtown in New York City
ABV: 30%
Average Price: $40
Why This Gin?
My favorite gin as of today is Pomp & Whimsy. I feel it’s currently under-valued since it can strike as a non-traditional gin for the hardcore gin fans. Pomp & Whimsy can make anyone fall in love with its versatility while making cocktails, its fragrance, and the little twist it can bring to traditional cocktails. It has unique intense scents of orange and cucumber. The mix of these two with the juniper and coriander makes it very refreshing and versatile.
To be honest you can’t really put a price on a great liquor, and especially on a liquor that has so many ways to be prepared. I would recommend Pomp & Whimsy for its elegance, capability of adapting to its mixer, and versatility. I’ve been a witness to all the things you can do with it, from making martinis, gin, and tonics to creating a unique cocktail using blue Curaçao and tequila. I still haven’t found a mix I’m not a fan of.
Fords Gin
Lewis Caputa, lead bartender at Rosina inside The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $25
Why This Gin?
I feel that for the price, this is one of the best gins on the market. It has hints of juniper, coriander, and bitter orange but it’s still a super versatile gin that goes great with everything. It retails for around $26 and I would easily pay that price.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin
Ilan Chartor, bartender at MILA Restaurant in Miami
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $36
Why This Gin?
Drumshanbo is made from smoked tea, so it has an oil and smoky thing going on. Very unique and great for martinis or mixed into your favorite cocktail. I would easily pay $60.
Barr Hill Gin
John Dal Canton, assistant general manager and beverage director at La Stella Cucina Verace in Dallas
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $38
Why This Gin?
Barr Hill Gin is finished with raw honey and provides a satin-like and rich mouthfeel without any noticeable sweetness. Todd Hardie is a man who loves his bees and his community, making his spirits as admirable as the culture and town they hail from.
This is a juniper and Douglas Fir tip forward gin with notes of beeswax and wildflowers. I would pay upwards of $80 for this gin.
Death’s Door Gin
Roberto Berdecía, co-founding partner of Puerto Rico Cocktail Week
ABV: 47%
Average Price: $30
Why This Gin?
The most under-valued bottle of gin is Death’s Door. It’s a relatively new gin with very interesting recipes. It has a creaminess laced with fennel and anise. I am willing to pay the price or more because I know what it takes to work with a product of this quality.
Seven Three Gentilly Gin
Nicholas Karel, director of bars, lounges, and beverages at Windsor Court in New Orleans
ABV: 43.5%
Average Price: $25
Why This Gin?
Seven Three Distilling Gentilly Gin is a local New Orleans gin. They use elderflower and local persimmon in their botanicals which afford the gin a truly unique and delicious character.
I would gladly pay upwards of $40 for this one.
Roku Gin
Josh Ragheb, food and beverage director at Tower23 Hotel in San Diego
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $28
Why This Gin?
I am a huge fan of Japanese Whisky. So when my favorite makers started to dabble in other spirits, I just had to give them a try. Known for making some of the most sought-after Japanese whiskies, Suntory has been making spirits since 1899. Their first Gin was released in 1936 under the brand Hermes Gin.
Using botanicals not found in most gins, like sakura flower, yuzu, sansho pepper, and gyokura tea to name a few, Suntory has created a smooth and well-balanced gin that goes great in a cocktail or a glass by itself. It could easily be a $60 plus per bottle.
St. George Botanivore
Christopher Rodriguez, lead bartender at Lucy Restaurant & Bar in Yountville, California
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $38
Why This Gin?
I believe the most under-valued bottle of gin is St. George Botanivore. It is super unique. It has herbal citrus notes which elevate it from other juniper heavy gins and makes it perfect for a martini or a gin and tonic. It is priced at about $30. It is worth the buy, especially because it is hard to find in my area.
The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
Anthony Aviles, director of operations at The Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club in Sarasota, Florida
ABV: 46%
Average Price: $40
Why This Gin?
My pick would be The Botanist Islay Dry Gin. Despite having a multitude of different aromatics and botanicals, The Botanist remains very well-balanced in its flavor profile. It keeps a classic gin nose with juniper and citrus, a palatable mouthfeel with low burn and a bit of a coating texture, and a crisp, refreshing flavor — even on its own.
It’s never overpowering and mixes very well in cocktails. The best part is that it’s only $40.
Beefeater London Dry Gin
Steven Minor, corporate beverage director at 1 Hotels in Los Angeles
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $25
Why This Gin?
This is an absolute workhorse behind the bar and is revered by most in the industry as the most versatile well gin. It’s a classic London dry style gin with just the right amount of citrus and juniper notes allowing it to co-mingle with a plethora of flavors and work seamlessly in most classic gin cocktails.
Plus, I feel like I’ve been paying the same price for it over the past 15-20 years, give or take $5.
Pinnacle Gin
Emily Lawson, bartender and founder of Pink House Alchemy in Fayetteville, Arkansas
ABV: 40%
Average Price: $15
Why This Gin?
Pinnacle Gin is a fantastic option for mixing and is very under-valued in my opinion. Its heavy juniper notes come through nicely and the more abrasive alcohol residuals merge well in a cocktail with other pairings. At its affordable price tag, you can’t beat it.
Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Pascal Pinalt, director of restaurants and bars at The Confidante in Miami
ABV: 41.6%
Average Price: $35
Why This Gin?
I have one name for you. Sipsmith Gin is classic on the nose but distinctive on the palate. Sipsmith Gin unfolds in three waves. Juniper comes on early, with bright lemon curd, mandarin flesh, and citrus on the mid-palate. I would easily pay a lot more than $35 for this one.
Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin
Nick Baitzel, beverage director of restaurant group Sojourn Philly in Philadelphia
ABV: 47%
Average Price: $22
Why This Gin?
Bombay Sapphire is often overlooked, not as cheap as say a Beefeater and not as popular as Hendrick’s or Tanqueray. But, in my opinion, it should be enjoyed more often. The strong citrus flavors which come through more than juniper make it a more enjoyable gin to drink, as well as great for making balanced cocktails.
Spirit Hound Gin
Matty Carroll, beverage director for The Kitchen Restaurant Group in Boulder, Colorado
ABV: 42%
Average Price: $28
Why This Gin?
We are super lucky here in Colorado to have some excellent distilleries making fantastic gin. Spirit Hound Gin out of Lyons, Colorado is one of my favorites. For me, it leans away from classic London dry qualities and instead expresses more sweet spice flavors of anise, cinnamon, licorice, and nutmeg, which I think make it excellent in a martini, or any classic gin cocktail.
Nikka Coffey Gin
Christopher Devern, lead bartender of Red Owl Tavern in Philadelphia
ABV: 47%
Average Price: $45
Why This Gin?
Japanese spirits have been growing in popularity. The quality, balance, and unique flavors set them aside and have been fun to taste and serve. Since discovering the Nikka Coffey Gin and making cocktails with it, I find that it is under-valued in the sense that not a lot of people request it or have it on their back bar. It introduces more citrus notes than you would find in London dry or American gin. When served as a martini, the gin has a silky mouthfeel with bright and zesty aromas.
I would say if you tasted this in a lineup with different cocktails, featuring different gins, you could pick this one out every time. For around $45 the flavors and qualities that make this gin stand out are valuable ones to me. It’s a unique gin that I think most people would enjoy and bartenders could have a lot of fun crafting cocktails around the taste of Nikka Coffey Gin. I’d be willing to pay $60 for this simply because it has characteristics I appreciate that no other gin that I’ve had does.
