Top 10 Contemporary / Botanical Gin Distilleries
"Contemporary" or "New World" gin is the post-2000 stylistic movement that uses juniper as one botanical among many — sometimes barely detectable — and foregrounds other characters: citrus, florals, herbs, or unusual local plants. The category lacks tight legal definition (anything that meets the basic EU gin rule of "juniper-predominant flavour, minimum 37.5% ABV" counts), but the contemporary scene is distinguishable from London Dry by its botanical philosophy.
1. Monkey 47 (Germany)
Monkey 47 from the Black Forest is the icon of the contemporary movement. 47 botanicals (many forest-foraged), 47% ABV, small batches. Founded by the late Alexander Stein. Now owned by Pernod Ricard. The Schwarzwald Dry, Distiller's Cut, and Sloe Gin define the range.
2. Hernö (Sweden)
Hernö Brenneri in Härnösand was the world's first dedicated organic gin distillery. The Hernö Swedish Excellence Gin, London Dry, Old Tom, Navy Strength, and Juniper Cask Gin (the only gin matured in juniper-wood casks) are among the most awarded gins in the world.
3. St George Spirits (USA)
St George in Alameda, California, produces three different gins from the same distillery, each with distinct botanical identities: Terroir (forest), Botanivore (19 botanicals, balanced), and Dry Rye (rye base spirit). Master distiller Lance Winters defines the American craft gin direction.
4. Four Pillars (Australia)
Four Pillars in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, is Australia's most prominent gin producer. Founded 2013, uses native Australian botanicals (Tasmanian pepperberry, lemon myrtle, Australian pepper leaf). The Rare Dry, Bloody Shiraz Gin (steeped with Yarra Shiraz grapes), and Olive Leaf are core.
5. Citadelle (France)
Citadelle Gin from the Cognac region uses cognac-still distillation (open-flame heating) and 19 botanicals. Family-owned by Maison Ferrand. The Original, Réserve (aged in old cognac casks), and Jardin d'Été (summer botanicals) are core.
6. Roku (Suntory, Japan)
Roku, produced by Suntory at the Osaka distillery, uses six traditional Japanese botanicals (yuzu peel, sakura flower, sakura leaf, sencha tea, gyokuro tea, sansho pepper) alongside eight more conventional botanicals. The flagship spent considerable time as a domestic Japan exclusive before global release.
7. Nikka Coffey Gin (Japan)
Nikka Coffey Gin is distilled in Nikka's Coffey continuous still (also used for their Coffey Grain whisky) with a Japanese citrus-heavy botanical profile — yuzu, kabosu, amanatsu, shikuwasa. Distinct from the Nikka Coffey Vodka also produced at the same still.
8. Sacred (London)
Sacred Spirits in Highgate, north London, is a pioneer of vacuum distillation for gin — distilling at low temperatures preserves volatile aromatic compounds. The London Dry, Cardamom, and Christmas Pudding gins are core.
9. Tanqueray No. Ten
Tanqueray's premium expression No. Ten is distinct enough from the main brand to belong here: fresh whole citrus fruits (grapefruit, orange, lime) and chamomile added to the still. Made in small batches in still "Tiny Ten."
10. Procera (Kenya)
Procera Gin from Kenya uses Juniperus procera, the only African juniper species (juniper itself is otherwise predominantly Mediterranean and northern). The result is a fundamentally different juniper character — fresher, more floral, less resinous. The Blue Dot is the core expression.
From reading to planning
Contemporary gin distilleries are globally distributed in a way London Dry never was: the German-language scene (Monkey 47, Ferdinand's), the Nordics (Hernö, Helsinki Distilling, Kyrö), American craft (St George, Spring 44, FEW), Australia (Four Pillars, Archie Rose), and emerging African and Asian regions. The interactive map shows the genuinely global geography.