# Let’s discuss interesting gin flavors **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 30, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684 "2019-01-30T18:47:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/1 "2019-01-30T18:47:48Z")
I was talking to a friend in the UK today and the subject of gin came up. He and I both enjoy our alcohol, but I guess I’ve been living in a cave when it comes to gin. I guess different flavors of gin are popular now? A few he mentioned were rhubarb, clementine, violet, caramel, chili and something called unicorn gin. Is this just a UK thing or are these unusual flavors also popular in the USA. Anyone tried them? I typically drink gin in warmer weather but it’s usually just the standard Tanqueray and tonic. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/2 "2019-01-30T19:15:08Z")
If I could drink, gin would be the drink I’d choose. Yes, I’ve heard of flavored gins. It’s a perfect mixer. I think that’s the reason. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/3 "2019-01-30T19:17:40Z")
I dunno about flavored gins but I have been enjoying the craft barrel-aged gins that some distilleries are making now. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/4 "2019-01-30T19:38:18Z")
I don’t much like gin, but of the flavored gins I’ve encountered, I’d say cucumber gin was…the least unlikable? It was the smoothest-tasting gin I’ve tried, but with both refreshing and sort of spicy aromatic elements to it. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/5 "2019-01-30T19:38:55Z")
Plymouth gin has a wonderfully citrusy taste to it. It is nothing like Tanqueray or Beef Eater. In the summer it makes for a very refreshing Tom Collins. ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/6 "2019-01-30T19:45:56Z")
Color me boring but I like gin flavored gin. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/7 "2019-01-30T20:43:39Z")
I’ve had Hendrick’s gin, which is vaguely cucumber-flavored. And there is Bombay Sapphire East, which is infused with (I believe) peppercorn and lemongrass to give it a vaguely east-asian flavor. But I’ve never had a gin with a distinctly non-gin flavor like caramel or chili. That seems more in the province of vodkas. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/8 "2019-01-30T20:54:54Z")
Not a gin person at all, but last summer whilst in Edinburgh, I had grapefruit gin and tonic. It would be very refreshing on a hot day, but I don’t need to have it again. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/9 "2019-01-30T22:03:49Z")
Flavored gin isn’t quite as big as what it looks like it is in the UK; most of the hits googling get UK sites. Anecdotally, all I recall from the last trip to the liquor store is that Seagram’s makes some cheap flavored gins- orange and lemon are the two that I recall. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/10 "2019-01-30T22:08:13Z")
I see a wide variety of gin here, but it’s all gin flavored - none of this chili, fruit, caramel crap. That seems to be more a vodka thing. The big variety in gins I see is in the botanicals. It’s not just London Dry, juniper-heavy gins now, but also citrus peels, cardamom, barks, and [tears](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjDCH6SiMgo). These are often called New Western or New American gin. They still have some juniper, but it’s not the dominant flavor. As **Tim R. Mortiss** mentioned, Hendrick’s is a more cucumber-forward variety. Aviation and Bombay Sapphire are a little more fruity, but they’re all still distinctly a gin. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/11 "2019-01-31T20:32:51Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I see a wide variety of gin here, but it’s all gin flavored - none of this chili, fruit, caramel crap. That seems to be more a vodka thing. > > The big variety in gins I see is in the botanicals. That’s what we see in the US now- all manner of uncommon botanicals, and emphasis on different notes, like citrus instead of the traditional juniper forward gins. All of them have always used more than just juniper for botanicals, but stuff like lemongrass, cucumbers and rose petals are non-standard. (as for me, I like the juniper-forward versions- \*\*Junipero \*\*by Anchor Distilling is awesome) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/12 "2019-02-01T02:45:53Z")
I’d don’t always drink gin, but when I do, I preferTanqueray Rangpur. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-s-discuss-interesting-gin-flavors/828684/13 "2019-02-01T03:58:24Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Flavored gin isn’t quite as big as what it looks like it is in the UK; most of the hits googling get UK sites. > > Anecdotally, all I recall from the last trip to the liquor store is that Seagram’s makes some cheap flavored gins- orange and lemon are the two that I recall. Yeah, color me confused, as well. I drink a lot of gin, and the only flavored gins I really have any experience with here in the US are the lime (or perhaps other citrus, as well) and cucumber ones. I mean, all gin is flavored, of course, with lots of botanicals. I have just never heard of any of the ones mentioned in the OP.