Monthly Roundup: The 10 Top Gins Released in October 2023
October was a moderate month for new juniper spirit releases, with craft distilleries taking the spotlight over only a handful of debuts from major brands. In the latest installment of our monthly roundup, we’re here to keep you updated on the top gins released last month that you need to know about.
Presented in chronological order, here are the top ten gins released in October 2023.
Estonian Spirit Producer Marks Dubai Duty Free’s 40th Anniversary With Saffron-Infused Gin
Crafter’s, a gin brand owned by Estonian spirit producer Liviko, sees a new saffron-infused expression arrive at travel retail. (Photo: Crafter’s Gin/Liviko)
Kicking off October, Estonian spirit producer Liviko marked Dubai Duty Free’s 40th anniversary by introducing a saffron-infused addition to its Crafter’s Gin range. The unique gin undergoes a post-distillation, seven-day infusion with saffron, resulting in a special golden-yellow hue.
Made using Crafter’s recipe #19, Golden Saffron Gin claims to offer a crisp and herbaceous flavor profile. Liviko said that the combination of saffron, lotus flower and mandarin peel delicately softens the spirit, while ginger root balances the sweet and earthy essence of orris root.
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Former ‘Top Gear’ Star James May Releases Gin That ‘Evokes the Smell of Rain on Hot Pavement’
Television presenter James May adds a new creative expression to his gin brand. (Photo: What Next?/YouTube)
At the beginning of the month, former “Top Gear” co-host James May expanded his James Gin range with London Drizzle Gin, a boozy tribute to London’s ever-changing weather.
London Drizzle Gin aims to capture the smell of rain on a warm pavement, a scent known as “petrichor.” To achieve this effect, it combines earthy beetroot and botanicals like lovage, bay, orange and ginger. The 40%-ABV gin is available for £39 ($48.31) per 70cl bottle.
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‘A Spirit Unlike Any Other in the World’: California Distillery Debuts Gin Liqueur Aged for 4 Years in Rum and Agave Barrels
(Photo: Shelter Distilling)
In early October, California’s Shelter Distilling introduced a unique addition to its specialty spirits collection, the Eastside Liqueur. This gin-based liqueur has been aged for four years in barrels previously used for Shelter Rum and Shelter Agave.
The limited-edition offering is infused with juniper, coriander, sage, pennyroyal, heather flowers, lemon peel, rose hips and elderberries from the Eastern Sierra. With an ABV of 33%, it offers tasting notes of sweet lemon, mint, vanilla and honey, complemented by sage and citrus aromas with hints of oak and spring florals.
Eastside Liqueur is available for purchase at $44.99 for a 750ml bottle directly from Shelter Distilling.
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‘Every Bottle Helps Save Lives at Sea’: Salcombe Distilling’s Latest Collaborative Release Raises Funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution
(Photo: Salcombe Distilling)
Near the start of the month, Salcombe Distilling, a UK-based spirit producer, unveiled Four Seas Gin in partnership with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to commemorate the RNLI’s upcoming 200th anniversary in March 2024.
Named after the four seas surrounding the British Isles, this “British coastal gin” features botanicals hand-sourced from these coastal areas, including smoked lemons, elderberry, sea buckthorn and sugar kelp, alongside juniper, coriander seed, angelica root and cardamom.
Salcombe Distilling will donate 10% of the net price of each bottle to the RNLI to support its life-saving work, as well as 1% of every bottle sold to the Marine Conservation Society for ocean habitat protection. Four Seas Gin is available for £39.50 per 70cl bottle on the distillery’s website.
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Brockmans Gin Enters Global Retail Market With Agave Spirit-Cut Gin Inspired by Bartenders in New York
(Photo: Brockmans Gin/Facebook)
Brockmans Gin, the English spirits brand, introduced Brockmans Agave Cut around the beginning of October. This new release combines Brockmans’ classic gin with agave spirit and a hint of pink grapefruit. The idea was sparked by New York bartenders who were mixing gin cocktails with agave spirits.
Priced at £46 ($55.83) per bottle, Brockmans Agave Cut is initially available as a limited edition in the duty-free market, featuring individually numbered bottles and a gift carton.
Brockmans Agave Cut marks the English brand’s third-ever release. Following the company’s debut with its berry-forward flagship gin in 2008, Brockmans released Orange Kiss in May of this year.
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‘Where Adventure Meets Craftsmanship’: This New Indian Gin Spotlights the Wild Region of Chambal
A new Indian gin hits the market. (Photo: Chambal Gin/Bapuna Alcobrew)
Indian spirits producer Bapuna Alcobrew introduced Chambal Gin in October, an offering inspired by the picturesque Chambal region in north-central India.
Chambal Gin features a unique blend of hand-picked botanicals, including juniper berries, wild cinnamon bark, black and green cardamom, dried lemon peel and almonds, aiming to transport consumers to the natural beauty of the Chambal region.
The gin is initially available in Delhi, with plans for later launches in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur. Chambal Gin is priced at INR 1950 ($23.43) per bottle in Delhi.
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University of Edinburgh Honors Rich Heritage With Small Batch Gin
(Photo: The University of Edinburgh)
The University of Edinburgh introduced its exclusive small-batch gin in early October, celebrating its rich heritage and the vibrant city it calls home. The gin is inspired by the University’s traditions and the city’s history, with the label prominently displaying the University crest and founding year, 1583.
Created in collaboration with Gleann Mor Spirits, a distillery overseeing operations in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the gin was chosen through blind tastings for its exceptional taste.
The University of Edinburgh 1583 Small Batch Scottish Gin is available for £29.99 (approximately $36) on the University’s online gift shop, boasting a 40% ABV and offering tasting notes of elderflower, citrus, basil, and summer berries.
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Elephant Gin Marks 10th Anniversary With Limited Edition Expression Spotlighting ‘Rare African Botanicals’
(Photo: Elephant Gin)
Elephant Gin, a B Corp-certified spirit producer, is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a limited edition gin called African Explorer. Released around the middle of October, the gin incorporates “rare” African botanicals, including buchu leaves from South Africa, African nutmeg and white ginger from Cameroon, Sumbala seeds from Burkina Faso, Lion’s Tail from the African savannah and Baobab fruit from Malawi.
The brand also introduced an eco-friendly glass bottle, which is 15% lighter, reducing CO2 emissions by 60 tons, and made with 65% recycled glass. Elephant Gin donates 15% of bottle profits to protect the critically endangered African Forest Elephant in Cameroon through the African Wildlife Foundation.
The African Explorer Limited Edition Gin, with 40% ABV, is available for £45.00 (approximately $55) per 500ml bottle. It offers distinctive tasting notes, including minty-cassis freshness, citrus bursts, and herbal warmth with fresh ginger.
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New Zealand Distillery Golden Bay Releases 2 Special Edition Gins With Charitable Twists
Golden Bay Distillery is set to raise funds for charitable organizations with the release of two special edition Championz Gin bottlings. (Photo: Championz Gin)
Near the middle of October, Golden Bay Distillery in New Zealand introduced two new additions to its Championz Gin brand, the Ron Guidry Limited Edition and the Fallen Officers Special Edition, each with a charitable focus.
The Ron Guidry Limited Edition Gin is named after baseball legend Ron “Louisiana Lightning” Guidry. This gin, with its smooth and citrusy flavor profile, is limited to 2,549 bottles and includes a collectible label paying tribute to Guidry. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold will be donated to the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center, promoting inclusivity through sports.
The Fallen Officers Special Edition gin is a collaboration with Brothers Before Others (BBO), a charity supporting fallen officers. Proceeds from this gin’s sale will be donated to the National Flower Fund, ensuring that every fallen officer’s department and family receive floral arrangements as a gesture of appreciation and remembrance.
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‘UK’s Most Haunted Gin’: Distillery Housed in Historic Inn Releases Booze Made Under ‘Watchful Eye’ of Ghost
Effectively putting the “boo” in booze, Hooting Owl Distillery in the United Kingdom releases a gin it claims was made under the creepy gaze of a cheeky specter. If that’s not enough to raise your hair, the Halloween tipple is also stored in what’s described as the distillery’s most haunted room. (Photo: Hooting Owl Distillery)
As October started to wrap up, Hooting Owl Distillery, located in the historic Barmby Moor House, released “Where Ghosts Walk (WGW) Batalicious Gin.” Rested in a purportedly haunted room where the spirit of a young coachman is said to roam, the limited-edition gin was claimed to have been made under the “watchful eye” of a ghost.
“If there was ever a haunted gin, this is it,” said Hooting Owl Distillery’s founder, Dominic M’Benga. “Not only has the gin been distilled under the watchful eye of Old Joe, we also chose to store it in the most haunted part of the distillery, even though none of us like to have to go in there too often. Hence it being limited edition.”
While supplies last, WGW Batalicious Gin can be purchased online through the Hooting Owl website.
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Read next:
The 8 Best Gins We Tasted In October 2023
Sip Into Fall With These 12 Seasonally Inspired Cocktail Recipes
Monthly Roundup: The 12 Top Gins Released in September 2023
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