What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Questions on how we spend our money and our time - consumer goods and services, home and vehicle, leisure and recreational activities
User avatar
Topic Author
heartwood
Posts: 2700
Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2013 12:40 pm

What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by heartwood »

With kudos to the bourbon thread that I've been reading for awhile: [url]viewtopic.php?f=11&t=228275&newpost=551 ... ead#unread
I'd like to start a similar thread for gin.

I've been drinking gin for many, many years, starting with the usual London Dry style gins before I understood there was anything besides Beefeaters. I've switched to others in recent decades, and have continued to try new ones, especially in the last 20 yrs or so, and the last 6 months.

Once I only drank gin as a G&T, which I'm reminded is a recipe in a name. (I'll avoid the discussion of best tonic.) Now I frequently sip gin neat.

I could probably list more than 40 labels I've tried: two of the Bombays, three of the Hendricks, Monkey 47, Citadelle, most of the familiar named London styles, also Navy Strengths and Plymouth, and the Genever styles.

Costco gin is very good.

Based on a WSJ story a few months ago I've tried a couple of Japanese gins available near me: Nikka Coffey and Roku.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-best-g ... 1591982510

I'm about to order Gray Whale Gin from California and Dingle from Ireland, both supposedly well regarded.

My current, several-year go-to gin is Junipero by Anchor Distilling. It's a London style from California.

Any favorites out there?
User avatar
SmileyFace
Posts: 9186
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 9:11 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by SmileyFace »

Tanqueray - I like the look of the bottle :happy and I can't distinguish much of a difference in gins. I toss it in some club soda so I am probably not a real gin drinker.
User avatar
Abe
Posts: 2572
Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:24 pm
Location: Earth in the Milky Way Galaxy

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Abe »

Burnett's London Dry Gin
Slow and steady wins the race.
User avatar
MrBobcat
Posts: 1292
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:19 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by MrBobcat »

Plymouth Navy Strength is my go to gin for cocktails. I've never gotten into the habit of sipping gin neat.
User avatar
Ketawa
Posts: 2521
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:11 am
Location: DC

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Ketawa »

I got into making classic cocktails as a pandemic (and likely lifelong) hobby. I started with Bombay for gin drinks, but I've found that Bombay Sapphire is vastly superior in a martini and other cocktails, and still under $40 for 1.75L. I also picked up some Beefeater and Hendrick's to taste test.
chuckb84
Posts: 628
Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:41 am
Location: New Mexico

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by chuckb84 »

For gin and tonic: Tanqueray. Somehow it just works well with the tonic.

For sipping neat: Gunpowder.
Intrepyd
Posts: 136
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2014 6:34 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Intrepyd »

Nolet is a modern gin with a very unique flavor, including some floral elements. My fave in a G&T.

Botanist, Hendricks or Tanqueray 10 for a martini or other cocktails.
User avatar
Orbuculum Nongata
Posts: 537
Joined: Thu Nov 06, 2014 12:58 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Orbuculum Nongata »

Ketawa wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 11:21 am ...I've found that Bombay Sapphire is vastly superior in a martini...
+1
Potential - distraction = performance.
User avatar
Kenkat
Posts: 9553
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:18 am
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Kenkat »

I like Tanqueray for mixing, primarily Gin and Tonic. I’ve also recently had Hendricks and may try the Bombay Sapphire sometime as well.
RogerWilco
Posts: 50
Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 8:17 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by RogerWilco »

Whatever MFG is currently under/near $20/1.75L at the liquor store associated with Costco - New Amsterdam I think? Not artisanal but not a plastic bottle either - lol
DoTheMath
Posts: 671
Joined: Sat Jul 04, 2015 1:11 pm
Location: The Plains

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by DoTheMath »

Death's Door Gin is an excellent gin.
“I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains...” -- John Muir
gonefishing01
Posts: 352
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2015 9:09 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by gonefishing01 »

DoTheMath wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 12:38 pm Death's Door Gin is an excellent gin.
Agreed. Deaths Door is brilliant.

Beefeater 24 is my standard fallback for g&t.
adamthesmythe
Posts: 5774
Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:47 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by adamthesmythe »

RogerWilco wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 12:34 pm Whatever MFG is currently under/near $20/1.75L at the liquor store associated with Costco - New Amsterdam I think? Not artisanal but not a plastic bottle either - lol
I actively disliked New Amsterdam. Insipid was my reaction. I don't often buy gin but my thinking would be "anything else."
HawkeyePierce
Posts: 2352
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:29 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by HawkeyePierce »

Leopold's summer gin. I swear they made this specifically for Negronis.
fedpharmer
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 12:30 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by fedpharmer »

Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray (regular or Rangpur), and Hendricks. NO Beefeater :D
gblack
Posts: 147
Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2019 12:39 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by gblack »

Nolet, Martin Miller's Westbourne, City of London (cheap and great, but hard to find), or Hendricks.

this is for martinis.

vermouth choice important too - i use dolin as baseline.
QBoy
Posts: 218
Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 7:09 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by QBoy »

Hendricks
User avatar
Pete12
Posts: 607
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2016 3:17 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Pete12 »

Tanqueray for a gin & tonic. Beefeater for a martini. Both great tasting and reasonably priced. After the first drink it doesn’t matter anyway :P
User avatar
tyrion
Posts: 1423
Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:33 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by tyrion »

Pete12 wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 1:12 pm Tanqueray for a gin & tonic. Beefeater for a martini. Both great tasting and reasonably priced. After the first drink it doesn’t matter anyway :P
You know what they say about martini's right?

One martini is all right. Two are too many, and three are not enough.


My current favorite is something called Old Harbour San Miguel Southwest gin.
Sapphire or Hendricks are the standards.

OP, you mentioned genever but have you also tried the old tom style? Not my cup of tea, but since you're exploring all the boundaries of the gin world it might be worth trying.
User avatar
Pete12
Posts: 607
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2016 3:17 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Pete12 »

tyrion wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 1:56 pm You know what they say about martini's right?

One martini is all right. Two are too many, and three are not enough.
Well said!! :sharebeer
DesertDiva
Posts: 1555
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2018 11:49 am
Location: In the desert

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by DesertDiva »

fedpharmer wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 12:51 pm Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray (regular or Rangpur), and Hendricks. NO Beefeater :D
We always have Bombay Sapphire on hand. I like Tanqueray too.
L82GAME
Posts: 616
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2019 8:29 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by L82GAME »

Don’t know about “reasonably priced”, but Brockman’s is perfect for Gin and Tonic :sharebeer
"Simplify, simplify, simplify! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand…” - Thoreau
tchoupitoulas
Posts: 74
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 8:20 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by tchoupitoulas »

My favorite gin is Green Hat Gin’s Navy Strength, but I have only been able to find it in the DC area. I currently have a bottle of Uncle Val’s botanical gin that I like. It is less than $30 if memory serves. I prefer “modern” gins with a range of flavors rather than the traditional dry style. There’s a website called the gin is in that I’ve found to be a valuable source of info.
User avatar
jabberwockOG
Posts: 3088
Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 7:23 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by jabberwockOG »

Because of the way they are made individual Gins tend to be pretty unique. We drink gin and tonics - good quality tonic water is also important.

Our favorites -

Bombay Sapphire East

Corsair Distillery American Gin
reisner
Posts: 516
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:34 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by reisner »

Cold River Gin from Maine. Excellent vodka too, and I'm not fond of vodka.
Oregano
Posts: 365
Joined: Fri Nov 22, 2019 8:30 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Oregano »

Interactive Brokers Mar Gin is the best.
UpperNwGuy
Posts: 9479
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:16 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by UpperNwGuy »

Ford's gin. I use it in martinis with Dolin Dry vermouth.

Previous favorites were Beefeater and Broker's.
tesuzuki2002
Posts: 1433
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 11:40 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by tesuzuki2002 »

Whitley Neill
Wannaretireearly
Posts: 4881
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:39 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Wannaretireearly »

Kirkland gin at costco. Surprisingly good. Amazing value
“At some point you are trading time you will never get back for money you will never spend.“ | “How do you want to spend the best remaining year of your life?“
Retired 2017
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2019 1:19 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Retired 2017 »

I like Death's Door Gin neat or in G&T
Retired 2017
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2019 1:19 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Retired 2017 »

I like Death's Door Gin neat or in G&T
Retired 2017
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2019 1:19 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Retired 2017 »

I like Death's Door Gin.
Retired 2017
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2019 1:19 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Retired 2017 »

I like Death's Door Gin.
mrb09
Posts: 899
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2016 9:02 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by mrb09 »

Don’t know if it is available nationally, but in Northern California, Junipero. It isn’t cheap, but not much more than Tanqueray. If I can’t get Junipero, then Tanqueray.
mrb09
Posts: 899
Joined: Wed Aug 03, 2016 9:02 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by mrb09 »

And the question you didn’t ask: fever tree tonic water for G&T when I’m not having a martini :)
matti
Posts: 360
Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:17 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by matti »

Ah, this thread brings back memories.

I quit drinking almost 30 months ago because I enjoyed gin. Too much. I never really had a sipping gin; more like a guzzling gin! I always liked drinking it straight. Anyways, I tried a lot of gins over the years and Beefeater was always my favorite. I really liked the London dry style and was always disappointed with the gins that tried to infuse citrus flavors, florals, etc.
User avatar
whodidntante
Posts: 13116
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:11 pm
Location: outside the echo chamber

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by whodidntante »

DaftInvestor wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 10:58 am Tanqueray - I like the look of the bottle :happy and I can't distinguish much of a difference in gins. I toss it in some club soda so I am probably not a real gin drinker.
In spite of the accolades of Snoop Dog, I find it a bit juniper overbearing. It's kind of like the IPA beer trend that, thankfully, seems to be subsiding.

Hendrick's, Fever Tree tonic, and a cucumber slice is about as good as it gets for budget gin.
User avatar
Bogle7
Posts: 1984
Joined: Fri May 11, 2018 9:33 am
Location: In the Witness Protection Program

Travel expands the mind

Post by Bogle7 »

I would go (after COVID) to either Portugal or España and visit a gin bar.
You could spend 3+ weeks tasting gins.
Think about it.
3 weeks of eating excellent dinners followed by gin drinking at 2200.
Your liver will thank you.
Old fart who does three index stock funds, baby.
DoWahDaddy
Posts: 319
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:32 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by DoWahDaddy »

One martini is all I can pronounce. Though I've had my share of tee martoonis.

Bombay white label has always been my preference.

Sapphire is glorified vodka. All due respect.

DWD
"I've worked in the private sector. They expect results." - Dr. Raymond Stantz
MishkaWorries
Posts: 1362
Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2019 4:39 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by MishkaWorries »

Boodles is my favorite.
We plan. G-d laughs.
User avatar
Kalo
Posts: 543
Joined: Sat May 25, 2013 1:01 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Kalo »

I don't drink much any more and was never a connoisseur. But my go to was always Seagram's Extra Dry Gin. It has fairly strong juniper flavor, which I like. I only drink it as a mix in something sparkling. Diet Vernor's (a very effervescent ginger ale), or unsweetened sparkling water are my preferred mix.

I still drink occasionally but mostly have quit. Too hard to maintain my weight because alcohol makes me hungry. Fortunately, I don't miss the buzzed feeling. Maybe it's a sign of age. I think I might have had a lifetime's worth of alcohol between my 20's and 30's anyway.

Kalo
"When people say they have a high risk tolerance, what they really mean is that they are willing to make a lot of money." -- Ben Stein/Phil DeMuth - The Little Book of Bullet Proof Investing.
WildBill
Posts: 761
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 10:47 pm
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by WildBill »

tyrion wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 1:56 pm
Pete12 wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 1:12 pm Tanqueray for a gin & tonic. Beefeater for a martini. Both great tasting and reasonably priced. After the first drink it doesn’t matter anyway :P
You know what they say about martini's right?

One martini is all right. Two are too many, and three are not enough.


My current favorite is something called Old Harbour San Miguel Southwest gin.
Sapphire or Hendricks are the standards.

OP, you mentioned genever but have you also tried the old tom style? Not my cup of tea, but since you're exploring all the boundaries of the gin world it might be worth trying.
Howdy

I really do like martinis
But please, only two at the most
After three I’m under the table
After four I’m under the host

By Dorothy Parker, in another time when the combination of alcohol and romantic interludes were viewed through a different lens
"Through chances various, through all vicissitudes, we make our way." Virgil, The Aeneid
Invest4lt
Posts: 328
Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:25 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Invest4lt »

So many great options (in order)
Botanist, St George, Monkey, Hendricks, Roku
"People sometimes fail to live because they are always preparing to live." - Alan Watts
CycloRista
Posts: 209
Joined: Sun Feb 16, 2020 10:53 am

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by CycloRista »

Bombay Sapphire is the "gold standard" for my palate :D
othermike27
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 7:14 am
Location: Chicago Metro

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by othermike27 »

Invest4lt wrote: Sat Sep 26, 2020 4:11 am So many great options (in order)
Botanist, St George, Monkey, Hendricks, Roku
Huh...I don't see the gin button on my Roku. Maybe it's an older model. Dang!
21&lewis
Posts: 61
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2016 7:42 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by 21&lewis »

Conniption American Dry Gin and Conniption Navy Strength Gin (Durham NC Distillery). Excellent!
UpperNwGuy
Posts: 9479
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:16 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by UpperNwGuy »

Invest4lt wrote: Sat Sep 26, 2020 4:11 am So many great options (in order)
Botanist, St George, Monkey, Hendricks, Roku
Which of the three St George gins are you referencing?
othermike27
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 7:14 am
Location: Chicago Metro

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by othermike27 »

My "daily drinker" for G+T has been Bombay Sapphire for years. With plain old tonic - no designer brands in little bottles. But has to have a slice of generously squeezed fresh lime.

For martinis, I'm happy to have Hendricks. For the second martini, maybe Tanqueray or even Beefeater's. For the third, whatever...

Here are two out-of-the-mainstream suggestions to try:
- Napue - a small batch rye gin from Kyro Distillery in Finland. Can be ordered from thewhiskyexchange.com
- Koval - a small label in Chicago. Not sure how widely it's distributed. To me it has a hint of anise flavoring, so if you try it in a G+T, use a lemon slice instead of a lime.
Bjtsven
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2009 5:39 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Bjtsven »

I too am a fan of Bombay Sapphire for my G + T. Last summer I did a little "research" and found this to be my favorite.

The bartenders took it as a personal challenge when I told them I was doing "research" for the best G + T on Long Island.

Fun stuff.
Invest4lt
Posts: 328
Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:25 pm

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

Post by Invest4lt »

UpperNwGuy wrote: Sat Sep 26, 2020 5:57 am
Invest4lt wrote: Sat Sep 26, 2020 4:11 am So many great options (in order)
Botanist, St George, Monkey, Hendricks, Roku
Which of the three St George gins are you referencing?
My favorite St George is the Botanivore. Great combination of 19 botanicals. Next would be their Terrior. Might be a bit woodsy depending on your preferences. Not a fan of the Rye gin.
"People sometimes fail to live because they are always preparing to live." - Alan Watts
Post Reply