Taste Matrixes

These matrixes show the main taste profiles in gin: Juniper, Citrus, Floral, Fruit, Spice, and Herbal.

The more segments that are filled in any of these tastes for a gin, the stronger it is.

Below is the tasting matrix for Beefeater London Dry Gin. There are two segments filled in Herbal, Juniper, and Citrus, to show that there is a moderate amount of each of these flavours. Spice and Floral each have one segment, showing that these flavours are present but more subtly, while Fruit has no segments to show that it is not discernably fruity.

Gin Styles

BARREL AGED/MATURED
Gins rested for a noted period of time. Generally influenced by wood, rested in a tank with staves or woodchips, or matured in a barrel or cask.

CLASSIC
Gins with a prominent juniper flavour that also incorporate traditional botanicals.

CONTEMPORARY
Gins with a modern, new world and/or local botanical flavour that is more prominent than juniper

FLAVOURED
Gins with additional flavour influence, often from fruits or flavourings post distillation through a variety of methods.

GENEVER
The Dutch precursor to gin, a juniper flavoured spirit distilled from malted grain.

GIN LIQUEUR
Gins with the addition of sugar, sweetened over a certain volume post distillation.

NAVY STRENGTH
Gins bottled at 54.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) and above.

NON-ALCOHOLIC/LOW ALCOHOL
Distilled without the presence of alcohol using botanicals to recreate the taste of gin.

OLD TOM
Gins generally made from a traditional gin recipe that was popular in 18th-century England. They are often barrel aged and lightly sweetened.

PINK
Gins that have natural pink colouring due to the redistillation of berries, red fruits, or pink botanicals.

SLOE
Distilled gins steeped in sloe berries and mixed with sugar post distillation.

Taste Profiles

We attribute each gin a number of flavour profiles depending on what the most prominent flavours, overall profile, and intensity are.

AGED/MATURED
Gins with a flavour influenced by wood, from resting in a tank with staves or woodchips, or in a cask or barrel. If you're a fan of whisky or oaky flavours, these are the gins for you.

BOTANICAL FORWARD
Gins with a prominent flavour from botanicals other than juniper.

CITRUS
Perhaps the most self-explanatory, but more varieties and alternatives are being used now, such as the Australian finger lime and lemon myrtle.

Exemplar botanicals: Lemon, Lime, Orange

EARTHY
Gins with stronger use of botanicals like that add complexity and depth of flavour to gin.

Exemplar botanicals: Orris Root, Chamomile, Angelica Root

FLORAL
Gins with a distinctly perfumed and fragrant flavour that will remind many of fresh spring flowers. However, many botanicals that are not flowers can also produce a floral aroma or flavour.

Exemplar botanicals: Lavender, Rose, Elderflower

FRUITY
Gins with sweet, fruity flavours from berries and tropical fruits, whether singular or a combination.

Exemplar botanicals: Strawberry, Pineapple, Plum

HERBACEOUS
Gins noted for having a distinctly fresh, green, and fragrant flavour that will remind many of classic garden herbs.

Exemplar botanicals: Kawakawa, Bay Leaf, Thyme

JUNIPER FORWARD
These gins are those where juniper the primary flavour and any other flavours are not as prominent.

ROBUST/BOLD
Gins which have a heavy flavouring, mostly from juniper or spice botanicals, that could be described as being more aggressive.

SAVOURY
Gins with a botanical flavour of savoury herbs and spices.

Exemplar botanicals: Rosemary, Capsicum, Tomato

SPICE
Gins with notable botanical flavours that might otherwise be described as baking or Christmas spices.

Exemplar botanicals: Cinnamon/Cassia, Peppercorn, Ginger

SWEET
Gins with a sweet flavour often from fruit, heavy concentration of citrus, added sugar, or post-distillation flavourings.

Exemplar botanicals: Orange, Sugar

UMAMI
Gins with flavours that are often a reflection of the sea, combining salinity and savoury.

Exemplar botanicals: Green Tea, Seaweed, Salt