In this article, we are going to discuss the 15 best gins under $50. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global gin market, sustainability in the gin industry, and a recent entrant in the gin business, and go directly to 5 Best Gins Under $50.
Gin is a fabulous drink that reaches parts other white spirits just cannot reach. It is commonly believed that the juniper infused liquor originated from England or Ireland, but that’s far from the truth. In fact, if you don't count the Italian monks who are thought to have used juniper berries as flavorings in distilled spirits back in the 11th century, it's Holland that is credited as the birthplace of gin. In the 16th century, a Dutch physician named Franciscus Sylvius de la Boe made a schnaps distilled with juniper berries, the so-called ‘Genever’, which was consumed for medical purposes. It didn’t take long for this lovely liquor to hop across the English Channel in a big way, where the original ‘Genever’ eventually developed into today's ‘Gin’.
Global Gin Market:
Gin is one of theMost Consumed Alcohols in the World, with the global gin market valued at $15.3 billion in 2022 and expected to reach $20.2 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. The growing demand for premium cocktails, rising consumption of pre-mixed ready-to-drink (RTD) and fresh cocktail recipes, and an ever growing appetite for luxury spirits represent some of the key factors driving the market.
As we mentioned in our article – 20 Most Popular Gin Brands in 2023 – gin’s total volume increased by 7.7% to 105.2 million nine-liter cases in 2022, and global sales of premium gin bottles are growing at around 20% annually – 2.5 times the rate of overall spirit sales.
Unsurprisingly, the United Kingdom is the largest exporter of gin in the world. According to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) data, gin exports from the U.K. hit $879 million in 2022, up from $651 million the previous year. Last year’s exports also surpassed the pre-pandemic exports of 2019 by 9%. The United States remains the U.K.’s largest export market for gin, with 2022 exports totaling more than $279 million, an increase of 6% from 2019.
Sustainability in the Gin Industry:
The modern consumer has become increasingly aware of the climate emergency we unfortunately find ourselves in, and actively seeks out sustainable brands, even if it means paying extra. So, as gin makers find themselves in an increasingly competitive market, committing psychologically and economically to reducing their impact on the planet may also be the only means to make their businesses sustainable in the long run.
Botanical sourcing is an important part of gin production, as different botanicals can give gins their unique flavors. This means sourcing botanicals from suppliers who adhere to fair trade principles, use sustainable agricultural methods, and promote circular economies.
One popular gin that has made significant strides in this regard is Bombay Sapphire. Owned by Bacardi Limited, the world-renowned brand is on a mission to become the most sustainable gin in the world. Other than even making its iconic blue bottle completely recyclable, Bombay Sapphire is the first global gin brand to use 100% sustainably sourced ingredients, as certified by Ecocert. Each of the 10 botanical ingredients for the gin is sourced from suppliers who act responsibly and ensure a sustainable future for farmers, their communities, and the environment. Moreover, the brand’s Laverstoke Mill distillery in England reveals a structural marvel and architectural sensation that is not only beautiful to look at, but is also a zero-waste facility that runs on 100% renewable energy.
Hence, while it is true that Bombay Sapphire is best known for its uncompromisingly delicious gin, it seems that its future as a key player in spirits sustainability is as bright as its unique flavor.
Recent Entrant in the Gin Business:
Now that gin is fashionable again, a giant from another alcohol market has also entered the industry, looking for a piece of the sweet juniper pie. The beer behemoth Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) entered the liquor business when it acquired the California-based Cutwater Spirits in 2019. The company, which also makes the award-winning Cutwater Gin, was previously called Ballast Point Spirits (part of Ballast Point Brewing), but was spun off when it was acquired by Constellation Brands in 2015 in a deal worth a whopping $1 billion.
Cutwater Spirits is part of the ‘beyond beer’ portfolio of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) and is the best-selling, full-flavored canned cocktails brand in the U.S. The brand is of such importance to the Budweiser owner that it even had its own advert during the 2022 Super Bowl.
With that said, here are the Highest Quality Gins Under $50.
15 Best Gins Under $50
Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we referred to a number of sources, such as Liquor, VinePair, Men’s Journal, Reddit etc., looking for the Best Gins Under $50. We picked gins that appeared at least thrice in these sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. When two gins had the same score, we ranked them by the price of their 750 ml bottles on Reserve Bar.
Note: Prices have been sourced from Reservebar.com and we don't guarantee that they're a 100% accurate.
Gunpowder is a bold, bright green tea that has been slowly dried and then carefully rolled into shiny pellets. This tea is combined with Asian and local Irish botanicals and distilled by hand in a copper pot still to create this distinctive spirit.
The company behind this gin, PJ Rigney Distillery and International Brands, increased its accumulated profits to about $9.7 million in 2021, with sales growing by about 30% to more than $13.3 million.
14. St. George Terroir Gin
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Price: $40
When Jörg Rupf founded St. George Spirits in 1982, there was no such thing as ‘craft distilling’ in America. In 1982, there were fewer than 20 distilleries in the United States. Today, there are more than 2000.
Terroir began with a hike and a fir tree. Master distiller Lance Winters created St. George Terroir Gin to evoke the magic of the forest. With its pronounced notes of a pine forest, this West Coast gin tastes unlike any other gin in the market.
St. George Terroir sits among the Best Gins Under $50 According to Reddit.
13. Gray Whale Gin
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Price: $45
Distilled and bottled by Golden State Distillery LLC in Sebastopol, CA, this small batch gin is a celebration of the incredible 12,000 mile migration of the gray whale from the warm lagoons of the Baja Peninsula to the cool waters of the Arctic. The gin’s six Californian botanicals – juniper, mint, limes, fir tree, almonds, and kombu are sustainably sourced or wildly-foraged along the Pacific Coast.
Intending to protect gray whales and pay it forward, the brand supports ocean conservation through ongoing partnerships with Oceana and 1% for the Planet, donating a percentage from every sale.
With its soft juniper-and-pine aroma, Gray Whale is a great gin for ladies.
12. Bombay Dry Gin
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Price: $27
Based upon one of the world’s oldest gin recipes, Bombay Dry Gin was the world’s first London Dry Gin distilled using a unique vapor-infusion process instead of boiling.
In 1998, Bacardi Limited agreed to buy the Dewar's Scotch whisky and Bombay gin brands from Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in a $1.94 billion cash deal that significantly expanded and diversified Bacardi's liquor portfolio in the U.S.
Bombay Dry is one of the Best Gins Under $30.
11. Citadelle Original Gin
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Price: $32 (1,000 ml bottle)
Citadelle is a gin produced in the south-west of France since 1996 for Maison Ferrand, precisely at Château de Bonbonnet. With its experience in the world of distillation, Maison Ferrand is also committed to bottling French and local terroir.
Citadelle Gin is infused with 19 aromatics for up to 4 days, and then distilled in small copper stills over open flames in order to develop its suppleness and voluptuous character.
10. Bombay Sapphire Gin
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Price: $34
With 5.7 million case sales in 2022, Bombay Sapphire was the 2nd best-selling gin in the world, and for good reason. The brand revolutionized the gin category in the 1980’s, thanks to its nifty vapor-infusion process and use of a staggering 10 botanicals, including juniper, citrus, coriander, and pepper.
Bombay Sapphire’s growth was boosted by the release of Citron Pressé, a lemon-flavored gin inspired by the Tom Collins cocktail. According to Bacardi, the new product was a response to the growing demand for citrus flavors.
9. Aviation Gin
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Price: $35
This American gin became super popular after Ryan Reynolds acquired a stake in the brand in 2018. Even though it is now owned by Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO), Reynolds still maintains an ‘ongoing ownership interest’ in Aviation and his hilarious adverts have turned the brand into one of the top 10 most popular affordable gins in our list.
8. Tanqueray Nº 10 Gin
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Price: $44
Named after the stills of its origin, the Tanqueray Nº 10 Gin is the first ever small batch gin crafted using fresh citrus fruits. Best enjoyed with plenty of ice, tonic water, and garnished with a wedge of pink grapefruit, Tanqueray Nº Ten is the only gin that has been awarded a place in the Hall of Fame at the San Francisco Spirits Awards.
Sipsmith is another modern creation that’s been around for only 14 years. Sipsmith was the first gin brand to open a new distillery in London since 1820, and has since then turned its attention to the U.S. market and invested in bringing education, engagement, and cocktail inspiration to its American consumers.
The brand experienced double-digit growth nationally in the U.S. and triple-digit growth in key cities like Miami and San Francisco. All this, despite significant supply chain constraints.
Sipsmith was named the highest rated gin of 2023 by Liquor.com.
6. Plymouth Original Strength Gin
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Price: $49
Distilled since 1793, Plymouth is heavier on the juniper and citrus side, but has an earthy quality on the front palate. Its flavor differs from the more common style of gin – the London Dry – because of a higher proportion of root ingredients and other botanicals in its recipe.
In 2008, Plymouth Gin was sold to the spirits giant Pernod Ricard, which still has the brand under its umbrella to this day.
At $49 a bottle, Plymouth ranks among the Best Gins Under $100.
