What differentiates the flavour of different gins from one another? These days, we'd argue that it often comes down to the gin maker's selection and use of different botanical combinations. 

For a long time, gin was primarily defined as a neutral grain spirit that would be distilled with juniper as a key botanical. This meant that most gins were expected to be juniper-forward in taste. These days, the category of gin has expanded with the entrance of new styles of gin making - sometimes dubbed "New World Gins" - which place a greater emphasis on the use of new, interesting - and in some cases, downright wacky - botanicals apart from juniper! While juniper is still distilled in these gins, some contemporary gin makers may seek to draw out stronger and more dominant flavours from the other botanicals in the mix instead. 

If you're someone who's interested to taste more unconventional tasting gins that depart from the juniper-heavy classics, here are nine unconventional gin expressions to try instead! The below gins all utilise particularly unique and unexpected botanicals and ingredients during distillation! The result are some truly interesting flavours and textures that may surprise you.

1. Never Never Oyster Shell Gin

Country of Origin: Australia | Unique Botanical(s): Kangaroo Island oyster shell, Tasmanian wakame, coastal daisy bush, and saltbush

A special edition gin from Australian-based gin distillery Never Never Distilling Co, this Oyster Shell Gin uses locally sourced Kangaroo Island oyster shell, Tasmanian wakame, coastal daisy bush, and saltbush to create a gin expression that evokes the flavors and smells of the Australian coastline. This maritime inspired gin is perfect for dry martinis and seafood pairings, and was initially created as a special collaboration between the distillery and Society Restaurant in Melbourne.

2. Peddlers Rare Eastern Dry Gin

Country of Origin: China | Unique Botanical(s): Sichuan Peppercorn, Buddha's Hand, East Asian Mint

Peddlers Gin is China's first craft gin, and first made waves when word spread of a uniquely Chinese-influenced gin that utilises si chuan peppercorns in its botanical mix. For the uninitiated, sichuan peppercorns is a popular spice that is known for producing an intense numbing spiciness (called "mala", meaning "numbing" and "spicy") when eaten. In the Peddlers Rare Eastern Dry Gin, the presence of the sichuan peppercorns imparts floral and spicy notes.

3. Blanc De Noirs Japanese Craft Gin

Country of Origin: Japan | Unique Botanical(s): Raw Squid Ink, Pineapple

The Blanc De Noirs Gin is a unique small-batch Japanese craft gin hailing from Hakodate, Hokkaido. To make this gin, the brand uses Hakodate raw squid ink as well as fruits like pineapples and other spices to distill their spirit. The result is a gin that has a balance of smokiness and fruitiness. The name "Blanc De Noirs" is a reference to a term used in wine making for white wines made from black grapes, except here with this gin, it refers to the distillation of a clear gin spirit from black squid ink! 

4. Yuletide Gin

Country of Origin: United Kingdom | Unique Ingredient(s): Christmas Cake, Christmas puddings, Chocolate truffles, Lebkuchen (German Christmas cookies), Mince Pies, Panettone, Gingerbread House

Come on, no list of eyebrow raising gins can be complete without at least some mention of That Boutique-y Gin Company! The brand is known for producing some playful gin expressions, including a previous Moonshot Gin made from botanicals that were sent to near-space! But the one in particular that got us curious was their Yuletide Gin, whose list of botanicals may as well double as one's bakery shopping list during the festive period. The Yuletide Gin was distilled with a bunch of Christmas pastries, including cake, puddings, chocolates and cookies. The result is a well-spiced and warming gin that we reckon makes for a great hot toddy!  

5. Portobello Road Celebrated Butter Gin

Country of Origin: United Kingdom | Unique Ingredient: Unsalted Butter

The Portobello Road Celebrated Butter Gin is inspired by a short story by Charles Dickens in his book "Sketches by Boz", in which Dickens recounts overhearing various descriptions of gin while on a trip to the Gin Palace, among which "Celebrated Butter Gin" was one of them! To make this expression, the distillery takes their classic London Dry gin expression, and redistills it with 10 blocks of English unsalted butter, which gives the gin a creamier mouthful and adds a touch of sweetness and saltiness. 

6. Monkey 47

Country of Origin: Germany | Unique Botanical(s): Ligonberries, English Hawthorn, Pomelo, Musk Mallow, Bee Balm... 

German gin brand Monkey 47 gin is known for being created from an eye-watering list of 47 different botanicals, curated by master distiller Christoph Keller after countless experiments and obsessive excel sheet documentation. Among the list are some interesting ones like fresh ligonberries, hawthorns and blackberries - fruity botanicals specifically added to invoke a distinct "Black Forest" feel to the gin. This is a remarkably layered and complex gin that's a real stand out sipper (see our detailed review here). 

7. Hendrick's Flora Adora Gin

Country of Origin: United Kingdom | Unique Botanical(s): Lavender, Rose, Hibiscus

The third release from Hendrick's Cabinet of Curiosities collection, the Hendrick's Flora Adora Gin is an experimental expression that was designed to evoke memories of an enticing floral bouquet during spring time. Included in the list of botanicals are lavender, rose and hibiscus, and the result is a floral and airy gin with a subtle sweetness and creaminess (see our detailed review here). This one's potpourri notes may be a bit confronting to some, but if you're a fan of floral gins, pair it with some fresh herbs and tonic, and this might surprise you.

8. N.I.P. Catnip Gin No. 2

Country of Origin: Hong Kong | Unique Botanical(s): Da Hong Pao Oolong tea leaves

Hong Kong based craft gin distillery N.I.P. Distilling is no stranger to using unique Hong Kong based botanicals in their gin expressions. Their Catnip Gin Series, in particular, should pique the interest of tea lovers, as it was created to celebrate the beauty of traditional premium Chinese teas. Distilled with premium Da Hong Pao oolong tea, Catnip Gin No. 2 is a favourite of ours, with a thicker creamier, mouthfeel accentuated with a pleasant sweetness of orange pith, vanilla and osmanthus (see our detail reviews of Catnip Gin No.1 and No 2 here).

9. Kyrö Gin

Country of Origin: Finland | Unique Botanical(s): Birch Leaves, Meadowsweet

Kyrö Distillery was initially conceived during a hot tub soak among friends, who had ambitions to create 100% Finnish wholegrain rye whisky. Along the way, they also released their own gin made from a rye distillate and distilled with botanicals such as calendula, birch leaves and meadowsweet, meant to embody a fresh Finnish summer. We find that the Kyrö Gin leans spicy, while still retaining a strong enough juniper character to satisfy those who favor a classic London Dry. It shines when mixed, working great in a gin tonic and a martini! 

Happy sipping!

@lotusroot518