Gins You Should Not Buy: Bottles That Disappoint More Than They Delight
Gin’s revival has flooded store shelves with options—classic London dries, celebrity-backed novelties, and bargain bottles promising a good time on a budget. But not all gins are worth your money. Some lack depth, others lean on artificial flavouring, and a few are simply better left untouched when superior alternatives sit at the same price point.
Here’s a clear-eyed guide to gins you may want to skip, and why.
When Cheap Becomes Costly: Harsh, One-Note Gins
Some budget gins cut corners where it matters most—botanical balance. The result is a sharp alcohol burn with little aroma or complexity.
Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin is often criticised for its rough finish and thin flavour profile. It mixes without falling apart, but offers little character—especially noticeable in simple drinks like a gin and tonic.
Gilbey’s London Dry Gin occupies a similar space. It’s serviceable in heavy cocktails, yet bland on its own and forgettable compared with better gins at similar prices.
Celebrity Shine, Hollow Core
A famous name can sell bottles—but it can’t replace craftsmanship.
Indoggo Gin leans hard into strawberry sweetness. Many drinkers find the flavour artificial and overpowering, masking the juniper backbone that defines gin. It’s more novelty than nuanced spirit.
Style Over Substance
Sleek packaging can distract from what’s inside—but only until the first sip.
New Amsterdam Gin (Original) often disappoints fans of classic gin styles. Its neutral profile makes it taste closer to vodka with a hint of juniper, leaving martinis and G&Ts feeling flat.
The “Good Enough” Trap
Some gins aren’t bad—they’re just uninspiring.
Gordon’s Gin is reliable and widely available, but many drinkers feel it hasn’t kept pace with today’s better-crafted options. When flavour, aroma, and balance matter, there are stronger choices at the same price.
Beyond Taste: Safety First
On rare occasions, a bottle should be avoided not for flavour, but for safety. When regulators flag a product for failing to meet standards, it’s a hard no—regardless of branding or price.
How to Spot a Gin Worth Skipping
Before you buy, watch for these red flags:
- Flat or muddled botanicals that disappear behind alcohol burn
- Artificial sweetness or gimmicky flavours replacing balance
- Marketing hype that outweighs production transparency
- No clear style or identity, resulting in a confused drinking experience
A disappointing gin doesn’t just waste money—it ruins good mixers and great moments. While taste is personal, gins that lack balance, rely on novelty, or offer little character are easy to outgrow. With so many excellent bottles available today, there’s little reason to settle.
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