Ever wondered what makes gin enthusiasts swirl their glasses with such concentration or why they seem to be inhaling their drinks rather than sipping them? Tasting gin properly is an art that reveals the complex botanical symphony hiding in that clear spirit. Whether you’re a curious beginner or looking to refine your palate, this guide will walk you through the process of tasting gin like a true professional.
Setting up your gin tasting
Choose the right glass
The vessel you use significantly impacts your tasting experience. Professional gin tasters recommend tulip-shaped glasses (like Glencairn glasses) which concentrate aromas at the rim. As noted by gin experts at Adgefrin Distillery, “The tulip-shaped glass concentrates aromas and is the preferred choice for professional gin tasting.” If specialist glassware isn’t available, wine glasses with similar tulip shapes serve as excellent alternatives.
Prepare your environment
For optimal tasting, find a quiet, well-lit space free from strong smells like food or perfume. Have room temperature water nearby to cleanse your palate between sips, and keep a notebook handy to record your impressions. A clean, neutral environment helps you focus entirely on the gin’s characteristics.
Serve at the right temperature
While we typically enjoy gin in cold cocktails, for tasting purposes serve at room temperature (18-21°C). Avoid ice or chilling, as cold temperatures dull flavours and mask subtleties. Pour about 15-25ml—enough to taste properly but not so much that alcohol overwhelms your senses.
The tasting ritual: step by step
1. Examine the appearance
Before you even smell or taste, look at your gin against a white background. Quality gin should be crystal clear and water-white. According to the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), “Gin should appear clear and water-white in the glass; any dullness could indicate faults.” Gently swirl and observe the “legs” or “tears” that form on the sides of the glass—these indicate the gin’s viscosity and alcohol content.
2. Assess the aroma (or “nose”)
This is where you begin to uncover the botanical profile. Start with a gentle sniff, holding the glass a few centimetres from your nose. Then swirl the glass gently to release volatile compounds and smell again. For a different perspective, try the palm test: wet your palm with a tiny drop of gin, rub your hands together, then cup them and smell—this can reveal different aromatic elements.
Look for signature notes like juniper (pine, forest), citrus (lemon, orange, grapefruit), spices (coriander, cardamom, cinnamon), floral elements (rose, lavender), and herbal notes (angelica, orris root). Take slow, deep inhalations to detect the complex aromas where juniper is typically dominant.
3. Taste the gin
Now for the most revealing part. Take a small sip and let it coat your entire mouth. “Chew” the gin briefly to aerate it and spread it across your taste buds. Note the mouthfeel—is it smooth, oily, thin, or velvety? Identify the flavour journey from front to back of palate and pay attention to the finish—how long do flavours linger and how do they evolve?
Remember that different botanicals emerge at different stages during distillation. As Colonsay Gin explains, “Aromatic compounds come off the still in sequence: citrus peels first, then juniper, followed by spicy coriander, and finally earthy angelica and liquorice.” This sequence often reflects in the tasting experience.
4. Add a splash of water (optional)
After tasting neat, try adding a few drops of room temperature water. This can “open up” the gin, revealing more subtle flavours that might be masked by the alcohol. Some unfiltered gins may turn slightly cloudy (louche effect) with water—this is normal and indicates high essential oil content from the botanicals.
Developing your gin vocabulary
When describing gin, consider these characteristics:
Intensity
Gins range from delicate to powerful. Note how bold or subtle the overall flavour profile appears.
Dominant botanicals
Is your gin juniper-forward, citrus-led, floral, spicy, or herbal? The traditional gin profile features prominent juniper, but modern craft gins might emphasize other botanicals.
Mouthfeel
The texture can be smooth, oily, creamy, dry, or sharp. This relates to both the base spirit quality and the botanical oils.
Finish
Observe whether the finish is short, medium, or long. Is it warming, clean, or complex? How do the flavours evolve after swallowing?
Common questions about gin tasting
Is gin ok to drink straight?
Absolutely! While many enjoy gin mixed in cocktails, premium gins are often designed to be sipped neat or with just a splash of water, similar to whisky. Tasting gin straight is the best way to appreciate its full botanical profile and understand its character before mixing.
How do beginners drink gin?
Beginners might find neat gin intense at first. Start with small sips and perhaps a few drops of water to soften the alcohol heat. Alternatively, try a simple gin and tonic with a 1:2 ratio of gin to tonic, as recommended by BBC Good Food, which suggests “the ultimate G&T formula uses 1/3 gin to 2/3 premium tonic ratio.”
What cleanses the palate between gin tastings?
Water is the ideal palate cleanser. Some professional tasters also use plain crackers, small pieces of bread, or sniff coffee beans (to reset their sense of smell) between samples when comparing multiple gins.
Junimperium gin tasting tips
At Junimperium Distillery, we craft our gins with meticulous attention to botanical balance. When tasting our range, notice how our Blended Dry Gin presents a classic juniper-forward profile with supporting citrus notes. Experience how our Navy Strength intensifies the botanical flavours through higher ABV, and compare how our flavoured editions like Cherry and Rhubarb balance fruit elements with traditional botanicals.
For a complete exploration, why not visit our distillery in Tallinn’s Telliskivi quarter? Our guided tastings provide insights into production techniques and botanical selection that enhance your appreciation of craft gin.
Taking your gin appreciation further
Once you’ve mastered the basics of gin tasting, consider comparing different gin styles (London Dry, Old Tom, Navy Strength), exploring how different tonics affect the same gin, or creating a tasting journal to track your preferences. Understanding the production process can also deepen your appreciation—gin starts as pure ethanol spirit made from grain, with juniper and botanicals added through redistillation.
Traditional distillation involves steeping botanicals in spirit base before distilling, while the vapour infusion method places botanicals in baskets above the still, creating lighter, more delicately flavoured gin. Distillers control flavour concentration by choosing precisely when to start and stop collecting liquid during distillation.
Remember, the most important aspect of gin tasting is enjoyment. While there are techniques to enhance your experience, there’s no wrong way to appreciate gin if you’re discovering flavours that appeal to you.
Ready to put your new skills into practice? Explore our range of handcrafted gins and discover the botanical complexity that makes Junimperium Estonia’s most awarded gin brand.