For martinis:
Damrak (Polish gin.. Can't seem to find it anymore)
Zuidam (Don't see this at bars but I get it from Astor wines in NYC)

For infusing (w/Shiso leaves or whatever you fancy):
Plymouth

Bombay Sapphire.

Also, something to try. Order a kamikaze, but have it made with gin instead of vodka. Yummy.

I will be very busy trying all the suggestions in this thread.
Thanks to all who contributed.^

I've got 4 different Bottles of Gin on the go at the moment.

And in order of preference:

Tanqueray 10
Tanqueray
Bombay Sapphire
South

Always been a Tanq 10 fan and nothing i've had so far has impressed me enough to switch my allegiance.

Tanq 10 is a bit of an acquired taste -- I like it a lot too, but recognize that it is a niche product and not for everyone (too aromatic). Also never to be mixed, but to be drunk neat. Even keeping the vermouth bottle in the same room with T10 is not allowed, much less opening it.

Another Hendrick's fan. For me, if it's not Hendrick's then it's a vodka martini -- no other gin will do.

Might have to give hendrick's another go based on all the praise in this thread.

Who knows, last time i may have tried it with some horrible brand of tonic. For some reason i can't stand canada dry tonic and drink schweppes exclusively. I can't remember the circumstances under which i tired hendricks, all i remember is thati wasn't overly impressed.

A trip down to the bottle-o may be in order to give it another shot.

Its pushing 40c celsius in Melbourne at them moment, perfect g&t weather.

1.Boodles

2.Beefeater

3.Tanqueray

Used to be a Bombay/Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray 10 fan but am not fond of those nowadays.

Haven't tried Hendrick's so I need to give that a shot next time around.

I recently found Beefeater 24, a new formulation of the brand that seems more citrus- than juniper-forward. I'm really enjoying it with fresh grapefruit juice and some orange bitters (someone told me that this is called "gin'n'juice" nowadays, thanks Snoop!) and in a martini substituting Lillet blanc for the vermouth. Nice variation to my regular Beefeater favorite for cocktails.

It's Bombay Sapphire for me, usually, but I've got so many good recommendations from this thread I may have to branch out a little. Thanks to all^

I prefer Tanqueray 10 or regular, if 10 is not available. I also recently had a chance to taste Tanqueray Rangpur. While not bad, I'll stick to 10 in the future.

Bombay Sapphire for me too, though usually the only drink I use it for is G+T+lotsa lime...always turns out good though!

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll have to keep an eye peeled for it.

Honestly I think even the worst British Gin is excellent - like 'em all. Martini-wise, I want herbaciousness. Damrak, Junipero, and # 209. Unfortunately 209 has bit the dust. They made a damn fine product. May they 'rest in piece'. BTW - love those tomolives ! wj

I agree.

Kinda like the worst day fishing beats the best day working. :)

- Bombay Sapphire (only imported stuff, as in Germany they cut down to 40% when distributership changed to Bacardi)
- Tanqueray 10 and normal Tanqueray
- Hendriks

Bombay Saphire, I don't know why it is blue but i don't care

Blue?

The blue is supposed to impart a "cool" quality.

The gin is clear. The bottle and perhaps your liver are the only things actually blue.

Same for the worst day golfing....

Bombay Sapphire for martinis
Tanqueray 10 for G&T

I need to give Hendriks a try based on all the posts here.

+1 ^

Wait, what happened to 209?

Don't know. Probably they didn't sell enough of it fast enough, were under capitalized and like a lot of small businesses, couldn't get loans after the banking collapse. wj

The Bacardi Corporation is not sure why you think it is blue, either, but they don't care... :)

Count me in for Tanqueray 10

Likewise. Tanquerray is my fav, but may have to meander about, gin-wise.

It's still being sold, as far as I know. They have it at Bevmo and the site is still up. See:

http://www.209gin.com/index2.html

My husband recently took a tour of the distillery. Have you heard that it is going away?

I'm surprised that none among us has recalled the "gins" which are traditionally used as benchmarks for the bottom of the rankings, notorious "Lucky Tiger" and infamous "Oso Negro".

The mere thought of either conjures images of Olongapo City on a murky night or Piedras Negras on a sun-blasted afternoon to my mind. Those are not good images, even when summoned by the thought of really bad gin.

The quality of generally available tonic waters, especially that horrible crud which oozes from the nozzles of most saloons has descended below the barely drinkable.

I'm sorry I'm definitely wrong. I'll get the lowdown Monday. 2 separate liquor salesman told me they were done about 9 months ago. We weren't able to get it either. Maybe they got a fresh cash infusion or maybe they just moved to another distributor and my guys lied to me (a liquor salesman lie - c'est impossible !) Anyhoo, I'll be happy to get it back in. wj

Definitely Hendriks for me, although I prefer it with Perrier & lime rather than tonic. Tonic seems to pretty much overpower the subtle flavors of Hendriks.

Bombay Sapphire will do in a pinch.

Darn, now I'm thirsty - off to mix a Hendriks martini. :D

Bombay Sapphire, it's what turned me onto gin.

http://noahtannen.com/wp-content/upl...-Gin-front.jpg

Very Tasty. I strongly suggest anyone who has a chance, try it.

Whew! 209 is definitely one of my favorites, though I'm growing more and more fond of Martin Miller's.

I like Bombay Sapphire as a typical gin. Hendrick's and Plymouth are both wonderful and differently so. I'm also quite fond of Aviation, Bluecoat, and recently Bulldog has been growing on me...

Gordons for me - I don't like Bombay Sapphire at all

I have to go with Hendrick's as well.

Of course, I am now having a Hendrick's and tonic...

I found myself liking the Bombay Sapphire gin especially in the summer... I confess that I am a beginner when it comes to gin, but I will try some of the recommendations that are given in this forum :)

Been looking for a gin from Estonia called Reval for quite a while but haven't had any luck. Anyone ever seen/had it?

Love Beefeater 24, particularly with some interesting bitters stirred on ice (Old Fashioned style). For people in the UK, also definitely try Sipsmith, made without filtration in an all-copper still.

For places without such limited spirits, I like Hendricks (particularly in summer) and Tanqueray 10. In a normal house pub I actually prefer Gordons to any of the slightly more upmarket spirits.

Tanqueray Ten is my favorite, but I enjoy Sapphire and even some Beefeaters.