The Top 10 Gins of 2022
Spring is nearly here, and gin is in. Whether it’s gin and tonic, a stiff martini, or a fancier cocktail that’s on your mind, we’ve got you covered with a look at our 10 favorite gins to hit shelves in the last year. Need more picks? Check our top gin lists from 2019, 2020, and 2021. You can also search multiple stores at wine-searcher to find the best prices on all these products and more.
1. Portofino Dry Gin – This is a classy gin. All the standard elements are spot on, but there is a lovely rose note on the nose as well as an herbal character to the palate that elevates the gin. The flavors come together beautifully in the glass, and the product shines on its own, in a martini, and with tonic. 86 proof. $57 -RL
2. Gin Mare Capri – The savory character of classic Gin Mare paired with bold, enticing citrus? Yes, please! This gin perfectly marries notes of olives, rosemary, and thyme along with lemon peel and oily citrus to create a product with lovely mouthfeel and real depth of flavor. You can dress it up or drink it neat. Either way, this gin is a pleaser. 85.4 proof. $48 -RL [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
3. Procera Red Dot Gin – This African gin is not for everyone, but gin enthusiasts will absolutely want to give it a try. Boldly briny notes join with more typical gin botanicals on the nose. The palate showcases the distinctive Procera notes of pine and pepper along with umami notes that drive additional complexity. The big, oily mouthfeel is brilliant. It stands out in a range of cocktails, and we loved it in a negroni. 102 proof. $100 -RL
4. Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Gin 2021 – Monkey 47’s annual “Distiller’s Cut” gin doesn’t trickle out to the States for a few months after its European release, hence a 2021 release showing up on our 2022 best gins list. It’s worth the wait. The addition of orange-scented Scarlet Monarda to Monkey’s complex recipe gives it a clearer citrus note that works delightfully well, with notes of tea leaf lingering on the finish. 94 proof. $86 (375ml) -CN
5. Chemist Navy Strength Gin – This overproof gin packs a wallop. Bold, delicious orange peel and juicier citrus strike first and are later joined by mint and ginger, complementing a lip-smacking oily body. Everything is well-integrated and delicious. The gin’s pronounced flavors allow it to shine in cocktails, but it does perfectly well when sipped neat out of the glass… if you can take the heat. 114 proof. $55 -RL
6. Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin – The only clear spirit made by Catoctin Creek, Watershed Gin also happens to be one of our favorites from this Virginia Distillery. Made from the same 100% organic rye recipe as their whiskey, it’s a uniquely peppery gin with a creamy, rounded palate that boasts well-balanced notes of juniper, citrus, and spice. Named for the Chesapeake Bay watershed into which the distillery’s namesake Catoctin Creek flows, it’s a satisfying sipping gin but really shines as the base in a craft cocktail. 92 proof. $35 -DB [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
7. Himbrimi Winterbird London Dry Gin – Distilled in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, using the country’s abundant geothermal energy and local spring water, this gin incorporates a variety of unique botanicals including wild angelica flowers, organic honey, and Arctic thyme. That unique ginbill has produced a complex and exceedingly approachable spirit with a pleasantly herbal profile that showcases far more than your classic London dry. It’s a rewarding sipper that’s also well-suited to classic gin cocktails. 80 proof. $40 -DB
8. Tulchan Gin – A bottle this elaborate and eye-catching might make you suspicious of its contents, but the gin inside is every bit as appealing as its sapphire and tartan-stamped exterior. It’s made from a somewhat bizarre mix of botanicals including blackberry leaves, elderflower, and even asparagus, some of which have been sourced directly from its namesake Tulchan Estate in Scotland. For such an exotic ginbill, the final product cuts a rather classic picture of London dry, but it’s so balanced and well-executed, there’s no need for theatrics. That’s apparently what the bottle is for. 90 proof. $40 -DB [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
9. Drumshanbo with Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Irish Gin – Drumshanbo makes a delightful standard gin, and this version subs in Sardinian oranges for the Chinese lemon in its original recipe. It’s not a huge change, but it’s big enough, lending the gin a noticeably orange-heavy note, which pairs well with the green tea notes in the mix. Worth a try. 86 proof. $39 -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
10. Gracias a Dios Gin 32 Botanicals – We’re throwing this curveball into the mix just for kicks: A mezcal flavored with botanicals to approach the taste of gin. It doesn’t hit the mark perfectly, but the earthiness and spice of the botanicals pair intriguingly with the smokiness of the mezcal. Lots of lemon in the mix. Complex and weird, but worth experimenting with. 90 proof. $55 -CN
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