A Beginner's Guide to Gin: How to Choose and Enjoy Its Flavours

What is Gin?

Gin is a distilled alcoholic beverage made by distilling a neutral grain spirit before infusing it with the flavour of botanicals and herbs. The key flavour of a gin comes from Juniper berries, an essential ingredient for gin. Distillers also use herbs, nuts, seeds and peels to craft their unique bottles of gin.

Browse and shop our gin range online and at your local BWS bottle O to get a taste of our curated wide range of alcoholic and zero%* alcohol gin.

What are the Different Types of Gin?

Get to know the most popular and readily available gins Australia-wide right here. At BWS we’re stocked with all the top brands across our 1400+ BWS stores.

Now, time to find your favourite gin, here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find on our gin aisle:

London Dry Gin

Meet one of the most popular and widely enjoyed gins: London dry gin. With a juniper-forward flavour, this gin has no additional artificial flavours and sweeteners. By showcasing gin’s key flavour (juniper), this spirit is a top pick for cocktail recipes that celebrate gin’s classic flavour. Clean and versatile, London Dry Gin is a must-try!

Plymouth Gin

Dating as far back as far as the 19th century, Plymouth gin is exclusively made in Plymouth city. This gin is an excellent choice for someone who is looking for gin that is slightly sweeter and has less of a juniper taste compared to the London Dry Gin. It’s also the perfect gin for a Dry Martini.

Genever (Jenever)

Modern gin owes its existence to this very classic style of gin. Genever (Jenever) gin has a robust flavour with maltier notes due to malt-based spirits like whisky or malt wine. Originating in the Netherlands and Belgium, Genever gin is classified into two styles, oude (old) and jonge (young). Combining the best of both worlds, this is a gin for all whisk(e)y and gin lovers alike!

Old Tom Gin

If you are torn between picking a London Dry Gin and Genever gin, meet the perfect midway, Old Tom Gin. A balanced blend of juniper and botanicals plus a little sweetness, Old Tom Gin is a fun way to bring a fresh edge to contemporary cocktails. Try it in a Tom Collins cocktail.

New American Gin

New American Gin is packed with flavour. A brilliant result of the craft distilling movement in the United States during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, this new-age gin is complex and vibrant. New American Gin showcases tantalising botanical notes ranging from citrus and floral to unique herbs and spices. Made with creativity and artisanal craftsmanship, this gin is perfect for creating new and inventive cocktails.

Navy Strength Gin

Navy strength gin is robust, full-bodied and has an ABV between 57-58%. This makes it a top contender for cocktails where you need the intense gin flavour and botanicals. This gin has a long association with the British Royal Navy and the sailors would boast about the robust nature of the gin, their drink of choice for long sails. Mix Navy Strength Gin into a classic Negroni, a punchy Gin Martini, or any of your favourite gin cocktails for a special depth and character.

Barrel-Aged Gin

As the name suggests, this gin achieves its nuanced flavours from the wooden barrels it’s aged in. Traditionally, gin is not aged, but barrel-aged gin undergoes a maturation process in oak barrels, similar to whiskey or rum, where it takes on notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice. The oak-infused character of barrel-aged gin adds a delightful twist to any cocktail recipe.

Flavoured Gin

Flavoured gin loves a floral infusion, a spicy kick, a zesty spritz of citrus and more. Growing in popularity, flavoured gin has become a staple in home bars and is taking the world of mixology by storm. The possibilities are endless and distillers are surprising adventurous sippers across the world by infusing gin with various botanicals to create many unique flavoured gins.