Best Gin – Australia’s most awarded gin

The best gin for one person might not be the best gin for the next. The best gin is subjective and depends on personal taste. Factors that usually contribute to the quality of gin include the type and quality of botanicals used, the distillation process, and the balance of flavors. A well-crafted gin such as Bright Night gin should have a smooth and balanced taste, with the botanicals complementing each other to create a delicious flavor profile. A gin loved by everyone might not be your best gin, so it’s best to try different gins and their botanical flavour profiles to see what you enjoy most. Ultimately, the best gin is the one that you enjoy the most.

Finding your best gin can be a fun and flavorful journey. Here are some steps you can follow to discover the gin that best suits your taste buds:

Try different gin styles: Bright Night Gin has three styles, London Dry Style (Wild Tasmanian Gin), Flavoured style (Pink Gin) and Aged (Chardonnay Barrel Aged gin). There are other gin varieties such as Plymouth, Old Tom and Contemporary. Try a variety os styles to find which one you prefer.

Experiment with tonics: Not all tonics are created equal, and some brands complement gin better than others. Try pairing different gins with different tonics to see which combination you like best. For Bright Night Gins, we recommend pairing our Wild Tasmanian Gin and Barrel Aged Gin with low sugar Tonic water and pairing our Pink Gin with low sugar lemonade.

Try a gin tasting: You can try doing a gin tasting, where you take multiple gins and try them with different mixers and garnishes. Our Bright Night Gin Tasting pack allows you to do exactly that.

Experiment with garnishes: Adding a garnish can enhance the flavor of your gin and tonic. Try different garnishes, such as cucumber, berries, or herbs, to find your favorite.

Remember, the best gin is the one that you enjoy the most, so don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!

Here are some of the most popular and well-known gin cocktails:

Martini: A classic cocktail made with gin and vermouth, garnished with an olive or lemon twist.
Gin and Tonic: A simple and refreshing drink made with gin, tonic water, ice, and a lime wedge.

Negroni: An Italian cocktail made with gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, garnished with an orange peel.

Tom Collins: A fizzy and fruity cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.

Gin Fizz: A light and citrusy cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water, shaken until frothy.

French 75: A sophisticated cocktail made with gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Gin Sour: A balanced cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white, shaken and strained.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious gin cocktails that you can try. The best gin cocktail is the one that you enjoy the most, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own personal favorite.

Australia produces some of the world’s best gins and you would have likely heard Australian gins winning awards at most gin awards and also taking some big gongs such as distiller of the year etc. These are due to several factors such as

Unique botanicals: Australia is home to a rich variety of unique native botanicals that are not found in other parts of the world. Australian gin producers often incorporate these indigenous ingredients, such as lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepperberry and finger lime, sometimes even ants into their gin recipes. These native botanicals contribute distinct flavors and aromas, setting Australian gins apart from their international counterparts.

Distillers who understand gin: The Australian gin industry has experienced a surge of craft distilleries that prioritize quality, craftsmanship, and innovation. Distillers in Australia are known for their passion, creativity, and willingness to experiment with botanical combinations, distillation techniques, and aging processes. This commitment to pushing boundaries and seeking new flavors has resulted in a wide range of exceptional gins.

High-Quality Ingredients: Australia has stringent agricultural standards, ensuring the availability of high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Australian gin producers often prioritize using premium base spirits, pure water sources (such as Tasmanian mountain water) , and sustainably sourced botanicals. The focus on quality ingredients enhances the overall excellence of Australian gins. Distilleries in Australia also tend to produce small batches, allowing for greater attention to detail and quality control.

The criteria for judging and awarding the best gins can vary depending on the competition or organization hosting the event. However, there are several common factors and criteria that are often considered in the evaluation process. Here are some key criteria that judges may assess when determining the best gins:

Flavor profile: Judges evaluate the overall taste and flavor of the gin, considering the balance and complexity of botanicals. They look for a well-rounded, harmonious blend of flavors that showcase the gin’s unique character.

Aroma: The aroma or nose of the gin is carefully assessed. Judges look for a pleasant and inviting scent that showcases the botanicals without overpowering or being too subtle.

Distillation quality: The quality of the distillation process is crucial. Judges consider factors such as smoothness, purity, and clarity of the gin. A well-executed distillation process should result in a clean, well-defined spirit.

Balance: The balance of flavors is a key aspect. Judges assess whether the juniper and other botanicals are in harmony, ensuring that no single element dominates the overall taste.

Complexity: The complexity and depth of flavors are important criteria. Judges look for gins that offer layers of flavors, with subtle nuances and interesting combinations of botanicals.

Finish: The finish refers to the taste and sensations that linger after swallowing the gin. Judges consider the length, smoothness, and overall enjoyment of the finish.

Innovation: Some competitions may place emphasis on innovative techniques, sustainable practices, unique botanical selections, or experimental processes that push the boundaries of traditional gin-making.
Different gin competition and gin awards may have different specs and some awards are rated higher than others. So if you are following award-winning-gins, its best to understand how each of the awards are run. Please visit our blog for more information.

One of the best things about Australian gins is their unique and diverse flavor profiles. Australian distillers have embraced the country’s rich botanical heritage and incorporated indigenous ingredients into their gins, resulting in a distinct taste that sets them apart from gins produced in other parts of the world. The use of native botanicals such as lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepperberry, or finger lime creates a sense of terroir, offering a taste that reflects the Australian landscape. The proof is in the pudding, as Australian Gins consistently take out some of the biggest gongs in Gin awards locally in Australia and Internationally.

Remember the cocktail that you had at that place that day and it was magical. They would have used gin, similar ingredients but the taste was exceptional. So what was the difference? The crucial element that makes a difference in cocktails is the choice of gin. As a spirit with a rich history and a wide range of flavor profiles, gin has become an indispensable ingredient in countless classic and contemporary cocktail recipes. However, determining the best gin for cocktails can be an endeavor that combines art, science, and personal preference. Lets look at what factors make a difference?

Gin botanicals:
The Gin botanicals and the resulting flavour will have the highest impact on the overall taste of the cocktail. Gins vary in terms of their botcanical blends, intensity of juniper and additional flavours. Bright Night Gin for example is made with 14 carefully selected Australian, Tasmanian and other botanicals giving the cocktails a robust taste.

Gin’s alcohol content:
Gin’s alcohol content is also a determining factor on how good a cocktail will taste. The lower the ABV of the gin, the less taste the cocktail will end up having in the end. Bright Night Wild Tasmanian Gin has 45% alcohol content which means the gin cocktials taste better, gin and tonics have a sharper taste and the deliciousness will last till the last sip.

Award winning Australian gins have stood the taste test locally in Australia and the international stage. Rather than using an international brand that is cheaper, we recommend using local Gins which usually have a wider range of taste and will work flawlessly with most cocktails. Bright Night gin for example is made for extra flavour so it makes absolutely delicious drinks and cocktails.

Australian gins are known for their unique and distinct flavors, often achieved by incorporating native botanicals. Some popular native Australian botanicals used in some of the best Australian gins include wattleseed, lemon myrtle, finger lime, macademia nut (native to Australia), Kakadu plum, Tasmanian Pepperberry (used in all three of our gins), Kunzea (used in our gins) etc. These native Australian botanicals contribute to the unique and diverse flavor profiles of the best Australian gins.

Most of the best gins usually win the highest medals in awards. But this is not always the case, there is a bit of fluctuation as you enter more awards in different countries. The awards are usually different, have a different judging panel and the judges are generally from the same location where the awards happen. Because of this, a wildly successful gin considered one of the best could potentially do really badly in a particular or niche gin award. That said the best gins usually consistently win silver and gold in most awards that they compete in.

It also matters what gin awards you compete in, for example there are awards we don’t really compete in anymore such as the San Francisco spirits awards because of moral reasons. So it’s a bit more nuanced than just a wall of awards for gins. We are sure there are amazing Australian gins (without any awards) which taste amazing and are even better than ours.