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The best Australian gins are securing their place as some of the most clever, creative and refined sips on the global spirits stage.

But what makes a gin extra special? According to enthusiasts of the classic white spirit, a memorable gin involves a glorious mouthfeel, distinct flavour profile and the perfect balance of botanicals, herbs and citrus. It’s this harmony of elements that makes a gin sing … and makes fans keep coming back for more!

In this article, we’re shining a light on a curated selection of the best Australian gins. These are unique drops that are considered and appreciated. They also boast bottle designs that you’ll be itching to gift that special friend.

Person pouring gin into a cocktail shaker.
The West Winds is a multi-award-winner. Source: Instagram/westwindsdistillers

Features of a sensational gin

With abundant gins on the market in Australia, and many quite expensive, Aussies have earned the right to be picky about what they sip. These are some of the criteria enthusiasts look for in an elevated gin:

  • Juniper as the hero ingredient – It’s what gin is renowned for after all, so a great gin should stay true to the spirit’s roots and ensure the formulation has a strong juniper presence.
  • Smoothness – There’s no wincing wanted when sipping a great gin; it should go down smoothly with no sharpness in the picture.
  • Balanced botanicals – The best Australian gins have mastered the art of balancing the flavour profiles of botanicals and other ingredients. This is something that sets a great gin apart from an ordinary one.
  • Versatility – Because there’s extra value to a gin that is just as lovely with ice and tonic as it is in a range of cocktails.

12 Of The Best Australian Gins Available Right Now

Crisp and fresh, a beautiful gin is something to savour. Read on for our specially curated list of incredible Australian gins that have fans abuzz!

These products are hand-picked by our editorial team because we’ve tried and loved them, or other Australians have!

Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin, $65

Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin on a table with cocktail accessories.

Complex and exceptional, Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin contains an ethically sourced blend of Australian natives and botanicals. Expect to find juniper up front, with hints of apple, lime blossom, fresh pine and citrus notes in the mix. The winner of multiple domestic and international awards, this is a smooth beauty with a huge fan base.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 42%

Hickson House Australian Dry Gin, $78

Man pours Hickson House Australian Dry Gin.

If you love a super-citrussy martini, this is the gin to reach for. Inspired by traditional London styles, Hickson House Australian Dry Gin is a true classic, featuring the flavour sensations of juniper, orris root, licorice root, orange, lime, angelica root, oolong tea, thyme, aniseed and of course, coriander seed. Earthy and complex, it’s a must-try.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 42%

Belle & Blossom Craft Gin, $58.99

Belle & Blossom Craft Gin.

Once you stop gushing over the bottle, you’ll be gushing over the taste. Belle and Blossom Craft Gin combines the traditional flavours of juniper, coriander, orange and lemon myrtle. With a lovely touch of sweetness, this smooth sip makes a popular choice for floral G&Ts.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 40%

Forty Spotted Classic Gin, $77

Forty Spotted Classic Gin being prepared in drinks with fresh orange.

Proud winner of ‘Gin Of The Year’ at the prestigious 2024 China Wine and Spirits Awards, Forty Spotted Classic Gin is expertly distilled in Tasmania. Tasting notes include pepperberry, fresh makrut lime leaves, herbs and citrus, with fans calling it ‘phenomenal’ and the ‘best gin ever’.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 40%

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, $80

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin bottle on a table with oranges and a glass.

A very proud Four Pillars call it the ‘best gin on the planet’ and many enthusiasts would agree. Rare Dry Gin is the brand’s original drop, combining Asian botanicals with Mediterranean citrus to thoroughly tantalise tastebuds. Spicey yet smooth, it’s no surprise this sip has picked up countless awards from around the globe.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 41.8%

Fossey’s Navel Strength Gin, $97

Fossey's Navel Strength Gin bottle.

At 57% alcohol volume, this is gin to sip slowly and moderately, savouring the flavours and mouthfeel. It has a smidge of ginger and is heavy on citrus, harnessing the glory of Navel Oranges – pith and all! Silky smooth, this award winner is character-rich and memorable.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 57%

Ink Dry Gin, $90

Ink dry gin bottle.

If you like a bit of extra wow with your gin, look no further. With a 100% natural blue hue, Ink Dry Gin changes colour depending on what you mix it with. Add a splash of tonic and watch it turn pink! An award winner for good reason, it delivers notes of bold citrus, sweet orange, pepper berry and pea flower.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 40%

The West Winds Sabre Gin, $42

The West Winds Sabre Gin bottle.

It’s won more awards than we can list and has a fan base a mile long – The West Winds Sabre Gin stands out in the crowd. It boasts a solid juniper backbone and a welcome burst of citrus. Delightful notes of wattleseed round out this classic London-style dry gin that couldn’t be more perfect over rocks with a splash of quality tonic.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 40%

Tread Softly Pink Gin, $60

Tread Softly Pink Gin bottles.

Dry and delicate, Tread Softly is a gin to admire just as much for its superb flavour profile as it is for its bottle. It is slightly sweet and perfectly pink, but what many fans love about this particular drop is its smoothness and absence of any sharp ‘twang’. Tread Softly plants a native tree for every six bottles sold.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 37%

Melbourne Gin Company Dry Gin, $72

Melbourne Gin Company Dry Gin bottle and box.

It’s the classic gin with a twist of Melbourne, and fans love it! It is distilled with a winemaker’s approach in Victoria’s famous Yarra Valley and contains 11 botanicals, including local grapefruit peel and rosemary and exotic cassia bark and orris root.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 42%

23rd Street Distillery Signature Gin, $75

23rd Street Signature Gin bottle on a bar cart.

Infused with 10 beautifully balanced botanicals including juniper, coriander and fresh mandarin, this is a drop to savour. It’s won multiple international awards and continues to win gin fans over with its smoothness and distinctive citrus notes. Stunning bottle artwork by Claire Ishino makes this a bottle you’ll want to show off.

  • Bottle size: 700ml
  • Alcohol volume: 40%

Ambersand Gin &, $39.99

Ambersand Gin & bottles 500ml.

At the lower end of the price range, Ambersand Gin & is proudly distilled locally but boasts a classic London flavour. Juniper blends with coriander seeds, cloves and the sweetness of orange. Whether you mix it with tonic or enjoy it over ice, fans say this is easily one of Australia’s ‘best’.

  • Bottle size: 500ml
  • Alcohol volume: 37.5%

Is there a gin you know and love that we haven’t mentioned? Let us know in the comments below!

Top image: Archie Rose

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  • The gun of the year bottle looks so awesome! So keen to give this award winning gin a try!

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  • I’ve really been loving gin recently. I want to branch out and try some of these different brands. There are so many different variations

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  • I like how gin can be, so crafted and special! Especially with so many distilleries that you can visit around Australia. I would like to try the 23rd St. Signature gin for its botanical notes.!

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  • I like the look of the Tread Softly Pink Gin and will look at reviews for this brand. I can highly recommend Archie Rose gin – a very clean, crisp gin that we got through in no time. 😀

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  • Ink has been recommended by so many people, I definitely have to pull my finger out and try this one!

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  • I started drinking gin purely because I liked the design of one of the bottles once and I really enjoyed it. There are some really nice bottles of gin in this collection, I’m slowly working my way through them.

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  • Gin has become a favourite of mine in recent times with so many varieties on offer. Our son, a non drinker, has taken to gifting us a different one each Christmas or birthday. I think I may have to send him this article to show him so many great varieties. The Tread Softly one looks like my taste if you’re going my the beautiful packaging.

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  • I second so many of these … Archie rose, four pillars and ink! SURPRISED 78 Degrees Distillery did not make the list though.

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  • So many fun flavours and colours!
    I am starting to try different flavours and loving the variety!

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  • That ‘Tread Softly’ bottle is sooooooo pretty 🙂 When the gins all gone I would fill that with fragrance oil and reeds for a beautifully scented display. What a perfect reason (excuse) to purchase a bottle.

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  • Oh there are some fantastic gins on this list!! I’ll have to try ‘tread softly’ for my next bottle.

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  • I usually always reach for the 23rd street. Purely because I love the region it is produced in and have visited the distillery on multiple occasions. I am seeing a lot of advertisement on the Archie Rose and after reading this article my just have to adjust my reach and go for an Archie instead – the ingredients sound divine.

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  • Would love to try tread softly

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  • This article is perfect for me. I love gin. It’s my favourite drink. Nice to see so many different flavours available

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  • I love trying new gins- the Ink mentioned in the article is one of my favourites but you have listed me so many more that I now want to try

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  • We were gifted some lovely gins last year and we opened them all on Christmas day when the whole family was there and had a gin tasting session. Everybody loved it so it will have to become a regular thing.

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  • Interesting read. I love all the different types of Gin, how versatile it is and the bottles are always so unique and pretty.

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  • Brilliant article about Gin. I’m looking forward to trying some of the great Australian ones mentioned. I’ve got a list and am ready to hit the bottle shop

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  • I am a huge Gin fan! I love a kick of citrus like a blood orange Gin or a pink Gin….oh and there is a really nice purple one as well. I have visited 23rd street distillery and it was so much fun! You could purchase a gin tasting paddle (which I did) and it was divine. I am thinking now I will have to give the Naval strength a go.

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  • I love Archie Rose gin as well as Hicksons and I have enjoyed many other brands. A lot of the brands in this article are new to me and I would love to read reviews to see what others think of them.

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  • Great article. There are so many good gin brands around. I like Archie rose too, Poor Tom’s is delicious and Bombay is consistently good.

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  • As much as I love a fancy, high end gin, I’m also a sucker for a Gordon’s gin. The lemon gin is so good in a spritz. Really refreshing summer cocktail and a bargain too. A few years ago I had an amazing Gordon’s pink cocktail at one of our locals. Essentially a spritz with muddled raspberry, line and mint. Dash of lemonade if you want it extra sweet. Lush!

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  • I got given a bottle of Archie Rose gin for Christmas and I have to say it was really quite nice. I find gin is either really nice or just not but this one I liked.

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  • Archie rose is delicious but will have to branch out and try some more.

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  • I love Tread Softly and their mission. I can’t wait to taste their gin.

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  • I agree with the Archie Rose recommendation. And what a great price point!

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  • I was not a gin fan until I tried Gordon’s Pink Gin – it’s delicious! I’m so surprised it didn’t make the list.

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  • Tread softly pink gin!!! Yum!

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  • I’ve only ever had Gin with juice. How do other people have it?

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  • I love a good gin and tonic with a slice of lemon or lime.
    Ive been told pink gin is the way to go but I havent tried it yet.

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  • Archie Rose is always a standout for me!

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  • I love a pink gun! I haven’t tried tread softly pink gin yet, it looks gorgeous! Can see this making the perfect gift too. So pretty!

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  • I love a great gin drink but can’t stand the ink one it was so disappointing for me. But love the rest in the article.

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  • The Tread Softly Pink Gin sounds amazing. Will have to try!

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  • I’m obsessed with the copper drink shaker! Where can I get that?

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  • G&T’s in summer are an absolute must. They are cold and refreshing. I haven’t tried many from this recommended list but I do love Ink Gin. It is superb

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  • I love my G&Ts so I’ve tried quite a few brands of gin. I’m always amazed at how many new brands are available these days.

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  • The older i get, the more i appreciate a good gin. There are so many variations and different types fit for different purposes. Ive grown to have a decent collection myself from cheap, mid range to higher end depending on how im consuming it and whether it’s being mixed.

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  • Absolutely yes four pillars and Archie rose! They are incredible

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  • Archie rose was the first gin I tried, absolutely loveeeeee it

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  • This is such a helpful guide. As a non gin drinker, I never know how to buy it for friends. But now I do!

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  • These all sound lovely! I’ll be on the look out for Tread Softly Pink Gin. Gin is my top liquor of choice, it goes so well in a cocktail. I really enjoy the Whitley Neill range. There are so many flavours, you’re almost guaranteed to find one you like, and the gin is a mild and easy to drink flavour.

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