The Most Unique Bottles of Gin to Gift this Holiday Season

Gin is a versatile spirit characterized by its botanical nature. Unlike agave spirits or whiskey, gin starts off as a blank canvas, offering little to no natural flavor. Instead, it is the introduction of herbs and florals that gives gin its distinct complexity, the most important of which is juniper. Though juniper berries are a required ingredient for the creation of gin, other botanicals can be used to mask its piney flavor, such as coriander seeds, citrus peels, orris root and cassia. From light and refreshing gimlets to bitter Negronis, gin is the base for some of mixology’s most popular cocktail recipes.

Whether you’re treating a martini-obsessed friend during the holidays or celebrating your favorite James Bond fanatic, a special bottle of gin goes great on any bar cart. This staple spirit is far more diverse than many realize, extending far beyond the bounds of a standard London dry gin.

Purveyors like Cambridge Distillery have mastered the market with one-of-a-kind releases, some priced at more than $4,000 per bottle. Actors like Woody Harrelson, Emma Watson and Ryan Reynolds have gotten involved in the industry, focusing on pure distillation and premium botanicals. From Mexican and Japanese gins to limited-edition bottles that can be sipped neat, these are the most unique gins to gift this holiday season.

Watenshi Gin by Cambridge Distillery

An exclusive gift for the most discerning of gin lovers. Watenshi Gin by Cambridge Distillery is a Japanese varietal crafted by combining Mount Everest-level atmospheric pressure with arctic temperatures. This crystal-clear spirit is a rarity, made from the minuscule fraction of liquid that escapes during the distillation process. At first sip, the dry, medium body is met with a plush palate that delivers bright acidity and energy. Best enjoyed neat or over ice, Watenshi boasts unique hints of shiso, yuzu, sansho and juniper.

$4,050, buy now

Customized Nolet’s Dry Gin “The Reserve”

Nolet is a household name when it comes to gin, but The Reserve is the brand’s crème de la crème. The result of more than 40 years of hard work, this multifaceted gin was created by 10th-generation distiller Carolus Nolet, boasting a black and gold bottle that’s individually numbered. Rather than the standard crisp and cool botanicals often associated with gin, The Reserve has a warmer palate thanks to the distillation of saffron and verbena. Take this already rare gift to the next level with a personalized engraving or message.

$750, buy now

Anty Gin by Cambridge Distillery

Another premium bottle from Cambridge Distillery, Anty Gin undergoes a unique distillation process that includes actual wood ants. After each botanical is individually distilled, they are blended with the essence of 62 formic acid-rich wood ants, yielding a taste that is tangy and citrusy. Botanicals like nettle and Alexander seed complement these notes with earthy undertones, allowing you to mix this spirit in a variety of cocktails that are both sweet and savory. Chic yet startling, the clear bottle creates an optical illusion of ants etched into the glass, promising a never-before-seen addition to your bar cart.

$300, buy now

Dry Gin “AU 79” by DiBaldo

The vibrant gold hues of this dry gin pay homage to the Silk Road, taking imbibers on a journey across the Mediterranean with a harmonious tapestry of flavors. Handcrafted in Italy, AU 79 displays a prominent saffron profile, enhancing the gin’s underlying floral and earthy tones. Other Mediterranean plants and spices add influence, but it’s the saffron that takes center stage, both in color and in taste. A golden wax seal stamp and chrome-looking cap ensure that this bottle deserves to be on display.

$220, buy now

Vanagandr London Dry Gin

Vanagandr’s traditional, small-batch London Dry Gin is distilled in a pure copper still, resulting in a full-bodied spirit made from Galicia, Spain’s softest water. The complex nose hits with intensity, bursting with juniper, citrus, and spice. The palate takes a more gentle approach, easing you into elegant and acidic flavors that culminate in a clean finish. A red foil cap matches the bright label, displaying a colorful drawing of Vanagandr, a famous wolf in Norse mythology. This classic expression goes perfectly in an ice-cold martini or crisp gimlet.

$120, buy now

Alpine Distilling Elevated Gin

Based out of Park City, Utah, Alpine Distilling crafts award-winning spirits with a clean ethos. An effective vapor extraction method creates a pure balance between corn ethanol and seven key botanicals, all of which are carefully sourced from the finest purveyors. After being distilled, juniper, coriander seeds, Angelica root, cardamom, ginger root, orange peel and lemon peel yield subtle sweetness, gentle spice and elegant tannins. Recreate Alpine’s signature classic gin and tonic, which was served at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

$110, buy now

Procera Blue Dot Gin

Made with 11 different botanicals, Procera Blue Dot Gin is credited with shining a light on African gin. The first spirit of its kind, Procera is distilled with Africa’s Juniperus procera berries, offering a stronger and more intense character when compared to standard juniper. Each bottle is crafted by hand, featuring a carved coconut cork and bespoke mini bottles of botanical salt attached with a strip of leather. Zesty citrus notes are layered with nutty undertones and an herbal backdrop on both the palate and the nose.

$90, buy now

Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut 2024 Edition

Every year, Monkey 47 launches an exclusive Distiller’s Cut that can be quite difficult to get your hands on. Each limited edition release tests the boundaries of what a basic gin can do by bending the rules and finding fun new flavor combos. The 2024 Distiller’s Cut falls on the more savory side of the aisle thanks to one special ingredient: capers. A hint of nutiness complements subtle sea notes, but it is the briny and slightly spicy flavors that make this a beautiful base for a high-quality gin cocktail like a dirty martini.

$83, buy now

Condesa Prickly Pear & Orange Blossom Gin

Though tequila is Mexico’s signature spirit, Condesa proves that gin is just as capable of capturing this vibrant country’s essence. Inspired by a sunny day in the Mexican desert, this bright and aromatic liquor is distilled with prickly pear, orange blossom, raspberry, juniper berries, coriander seeds and lime. These sweet and savory botanicals deliver a floral and fruity profile that pairs wonderfully in gin and tonics or refreshing spritzers. The pink glass bottle features a whimsical label that is simple yet stylish, adding a feminine touch to any bar cart or liquor cabinet.

$50, buy now

Holistic Spirits Harmony Gin

Actor Woody Harrelson’s Holistic Spirits Co. is on a mission to redefine the drinking experience with plant-based alcohols that are entirely gluten-free and non-GMO. The Harmony Holistic Gin is a 90-proof liquor made with zero artificial ingredients or additives, boasting a rose-tinted hue that sets it apart from traditionally clear gins. Though it is distilled with orris root, hyssop, coriander seed, lemon peel, lime peel, Angelica root and juniper berries, infusions of elderberry, muscadine grape, artichoke and green tea are what give this gin its complex palate and layered depth.

$40, buy now