Five gins scored Double Gold medals, and 54 won Gold Medals at the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) judging in what has become one of the world’s largest, if not the largest, gin competitions. Here are highlights and tasting notes on the top-ranked gins.
The top-ranked classic gin, scoring 98/100 points, is BEG Boutique Distillery, New World Navy Dry Gin, 54% ABV.
The news that Brazil produces one of the world’s highest-rated gins proves that the gin phenomenon has truly gone global.
BEG Boutique Distillery is located in Américo Brasiliense, a small town in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It was founded by a group of friends passionate about creating high-quality, artisanal spirits that reflected Brazil’s unique flavors. BEG stands for “Brazilian Exclusive Gins,” highlighting the distillery’s commitment to crafting unique gins with Brazilian botanicals.
This gin is crafted with a blend of traditional and local botanicals. The base spirit is made from Brazilian sugarcane, giving the gin a distinct smoothness and richness. The local botanicals are not disclosed but include Brazilian pepper, local lime, lemon, orange peel, and some secret ingredients sourced locally to provide a distinctive Brazilian twist to the gin.
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The nose is aromatic and complex, with a classic gin profile. There is an initial burst of juniper followed by fresh citrus notes from the lime, lemon, and orange peels. There are also underlying hints of spicy Brazilian pepper and warm cinnamon.
On the palate, the gin has a rich and smooth mouthfeel. The sugarcane base spirit gives the gin a pronounced mouth weight and a slight sweetness that rounds out the flavors.
BEG New World Navy Dry Gin is bold and full-bodied, true to its navy strength. The juniper is prominent, balanced by a zesty citrus tang. The Brazilian pepper adds a unique spicy kick, while the coriander seeds contribute a touch of earthiness. Cinnamon provides warmth and a subtle sweetness, enhancing the overall complexity.
The finish is long and smooth, with lingering juniper and citrus notes and a pleasant spiciness from the Brazilian pepper and cinnamon. The complex flavors evolve and fade slowly, leaving a clean and refreshing aftertaste.
The IWSC Judging Panel described the gin as:
A bold and mighty nose of juniper, pine, lime, and citrus. The rich palate has tons of depth with a delightful blend of root sweetness and a long, satisfying finish. Opens up beautifully with water.
With its bold flavors and unique blend of traditional and local botanicals, this gin offers a distinctive taste experience that reflects Brazil’s vibrant and diverse character. Perfect for classic gin co*cktails or enjoyed neat, BEG New World Navy Dry Gin is a must-try for gin enthusiasts seeking something new and exciting.
“Contemporary gin,” also known as “New Western gin” or “New Wave gin,” refers to a style of gin that departs from the traditional London Dry profile by placing less emphasis on juniper as the dominant botanical.
Instead, contemporary gins highlight a broader range of botanicals, allowing other flavors to take center stage. This style allows for greater creativity and experimentation in gin production, resulting in diverse, distinctive, and innovative flavor profiles that differentiate these products from traditional gins.
Two contemporary gins took Gold Outstanding medals: Garage 22 Prague Distillery (Czech Republic), Fiesta Gin, 42% ABV and Strange Nature Distilling (New Zealand), Gin, 44% ABV.
Garage 22 is a micro-distillery located in Prague, Czech Republic. It is part of the burgeoning craft spirits scene in the city and is known for its innovative approach to distillation. The gin is made with traditional ingredients and a unique blend of Czech-sourced botanicals and tropical fruits like mango and pineapple.
The nose has a distinctive juniper note, followed by fresh citrus notes from the lemon and lime peels, and underlying hints of tropical fruits like mango and pineapple.
On the palate, the gin has a rich and silky mouthfeel. The juniper is prominent but harmoniously blended with mango and pineapple’s sweet and fruity flavors. The citrus notes add brightness, while the coriander seeds and peppercorns provide a subtle spice that enhances the overall complexity.
The finish is long, with lingering notes of tropical fruit, citrus, and a pleasant warmth from the peppercorns.
The IWSC Judging Panel described the gin as featuring:
Vibrant with excellent definition and focus, this spirit lures you in with notes of fresh kafir lime and habanero pepper. The palate is deep and complex, with seamlessly integrated botanicals and a gradually intensifying heat. It is exceptionally well composed with an aromatic finish.
Strange Nature Distilling is based in the Marlborough region of New Zealand, which is renowned for its wine production, particularly Sauvignon Blanc. This innovative distillery leverages the region’s rich winemaking heritage to create unique, high-quality spirits.
The company was founded by a group of passionate distillers and winemakers who saw an opportunity to create a distinctive gin using the byproducts of wine production. Their approach combines traditional distillation techniques with a modern, sustainable twist.
The base spirit used for the gin is distilled from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, giving it a local character and imparting a distinctive fruity and floral character.
The nose is floral and aromatic, with an immediate presence of juniper followed by fresh and zesty citrus notes of lemon and orange peels. The unique influence of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes adds a layer of tropical fruit and floral aromas, along with a hint of earthiness from the angelica root.
On the palate, Strange Nature Gin is smooth and complex. The juniper is prominent but well-integrated with the bright citrus flavors and the distinctive fruity character of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The coriander seeds add a subtle spice, and the angelica root provides a grounding earthiness. The result is a nuanced and layered flavor profile.
The finish is long with lingering juniper, citrus notes, and a subtle fruitiness from the Sauvignon Blanc.
The IWSC Judging Panel described the gin as:
A wonderfully vibrant aromatic profile, bursting with gooseberries and zesty citrus, leading to a resinous, juniper forefront. Pristine and bold on the palate, with a juicy grape base shining through, and finishing with an expressive blend of bright Riesling grapes and freshly ground coffee. Marvellous!
Three gins won Gold medals in the Flavored Gin category. The top-ranked gin was Junipero (USA), Smoked Rosemary Gin, 49.3% ABV.
The IWSC Judging Panel described the gin as exhibiting:
An inviting nose with rosemary leading the way. Dry resinous notes and well-managed smoke add depth. The palate reveals smoked rosemary, juniper, and hints of fresh lemon. A pleasant, clean, well-balanced finish.
Old Tom Gin is a style of gin that originated in England during the 18th century and experienced a revival in the modern craft spirits movement. It is known for its slightly sweeter flavor profile than other gins, such as London Dry Gin. Old Tom Gin bridges the gap between the intense juniper-forward character of London Dry Gin and the sweeter, more botanically diverse profile of Genever (a Dutch gin ancestor). It’s typically clear, though some variants may have a slight golden hue due to aging or the addition of botanicals.
Old Tom Gin’s sweetness can be achieved by adding sugar or botanicals that impart a sweet flavor, creating a rounder and softer taste. While juniper is still a dominant flavor, Old Tom Gin often features a more balanced blend of botanicals. These ingredients can include citrus peels, herbs, spices, and floral elements, contributing to a more complex and nuanced taste.
Old Tom Gin was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, especially during the Gin Craze in England. It was known for being slightly less harsh than other gins of the time, making it more palatable for the general public. The origin of the name “Old Tom” is debated, but one popular theory is that it comes from wooden plaques shaped like a black cat (an “Old Tom”) mounted outside pubs in London. Customers could place a coin in the cat’s mouth, and a shot of gin would be dispensed through a tube.
The top-ranked Old Tom gin, winning a Gold Outstanding with 98/100 points, is Hernö Gin, Old Tom Gin, 43% ABV.
The IWSC Judging Panel described the gin as featuring:
A well-presented juniper character, with notes of lemon, pine, and florals. The palate’s sweetness is perfectly balanced. An excellent example of Old Tom.
The IWSC defines a Wine/Grape Infused Gin as a type of gin where the base spirit is derived from grapes or the final product is infused with wine, grapes, or grape-derived products. This category highlights the innovative blending of gin production with winemaking techniques, resulting in unique and diverse flavor profiles.
Moreover, in addition to the classic gin botanicals like juniper, citrus, and spices, wine/grape-infused gins often incorporate flavors from the specific type of wine or grape. Depending on the wine or grape variety type, this can include floral, fruity, and tannic notes.
These gins typically have a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than traditional ones. The infusion of wine or grapes can add layers of sweetness, acidity, and a broader spectrum of aromas and flavors.
The top-ranked gin in the Wine/Grape-Infused Gin category and the highest-rated gin in the competition, scoring 99/100 points, is Four Pillars Distillery (Australia), Barrel-Aged Bloody Underhill Shiraz Gin, 41.8% ABV.
The IWSC Judging panel described the gin as:
A warm, complex, and rich palate of cocoa, licorice, and juniper, with hints of mint. The levels of both sweetness and alcohol are perfectly judged. The length is good and the finish persistent.
The top-ranked aged gin, winning a Gold medal with 96/100 points, is Vinha Alta (Portugal), Balancal Wine Barrel Rested Gin, 49.8% ABV.
The IWSC Judging Panel described the gin as:
An elegant and savory nose with elements of resin soap and sweet cardamom spice. Caraway and fennel come through on the finish, which add complexity and provides an interesting, lingering finish.
The 2024 IWSC gin judging produced an excellent set of winners. Some, like Hernö Gin, are long-standing producers who have been perennial medalists in international spirit competitions. Others are more recently established craft distillers.
What is particularly interesting is how internationally diversified the top ranks of gin distillers have become and the extent to which craft distillers increasingly dominate the quality rankings. Who would have expected Gold medal gins from Cambodia, China, Brazil, or Croatia? Despite its current consolidation, the gin market remains a hotbed of innovation with ever-burgeoning aroma and flavor profiles for the gin enthusiast to try. Your gin and tonic will never be the same.
See the IWSC website for a complete listing of all the Gold medal winners and other medalists in the gin category.
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