As you know I’ve been covering the gin beat for quite a few years now and to say I’m fond of gin may be an understatement.  I love all types of craft spirits and have presented masterclasses on everything from Amaro to Cognac and Single Malts and more.

But the diversity, creativity of expression that the gin category offers is, I think, unique.

So this year I thought I’d do something of a summary of where gin is at globally, because I also think there is something of a tapering off on momentum overall as the market gets, excuse the pun, saturated with brands.  I estimate there must be close to 7000 gin brands around the world. There are nearly 650 alone in Australia!

 

The Australian Gin Market: A Blossoming Affair

Australia’s gin market in terms of sales continues to grow. In 2024, the combined revenue from at-home and out-of-home consumption is expected to reach A$248.9 million. Specifically, at-home sales, which encompass purchases from retail and online, accounts for A$196.4 million. This is anticipated to grow annually by 2.76% from 2024 to 2029.

 

However, it’s interesting to note that while the revenue is on an upward trajectory, the volume growth tells a slightly different story. The at-home consumption volume is projected to be 2.0 million litres in 2024, but with a slight dip expected in 2025.

That said, I’m told by an industry insider that the overall gin market in Australia is about 15% local product, the rest imported, and of that 15% the majority is made up of a few big brands, Four Pillars, Archie Rose and a couple of others, not leaving much for the other 640 or so makers.

The U.S. Gin Market: A Powerhouse of Potential

Across the Pacific, the U.S. gin market is a behemoth by comparison. With a staggering combined revenue of A$24.4 billion expected in 2024, it’s clear that gin has a solid foothold in American culture. At-home consumption alone is projected to generate A$15.9 billion, growing annually by 2.13% over the next five years.

In terms of volume, Americans are expected to consume around 0.8 billion litres of gin in 2024, with 0.7 billion litres of that being enjoyed at home. This robust market presence underscores the versatility and enduring appeal of gin in the United States.  And, from my recent experience there, it’s cheap compared to Australia due to taxes here, but US craft producers do face challenges with distribution, local laws, restrictions on online sales and other barriers across a myriad of State and local legal jurisdictions in bringing product to market.

A Global Comparison

When we look at the global stage, the United Kingdom remains the undisputed leader in at-home gin revenue, projected to generate A$30 Billion in sales 2024. This isn’t surprising given the UK’s rich history with gin, which continues to be a significant part of its cultural and social fabric.Moreover, gin is distilled in over 68 countries around the world, with the UK boasting the highest number of gin brands at 1,722 as of 2021.

Top Gin Brands in terms of sales

Among the top brands by retail sales as of April 2024, showing some of the usual suspects…

• Beefeater #1
• Tanqueray
• Bombay Sapphire
• Hendricks
• Roku
• Fords
• The Botanist
• Monkey 47
• Citadelle
• Boatyard

A Personal Touch: My Favorite Gins

As the Martini Whisperer, I have the pleasure of tasting and sharing some of the finest gins from around the world. Here are a few of my personal favorites, particularly in a Martini, I get asked this all the time as you can expect, so here you go:

• Aviation: Smooth and flavourful, capturing the pioneering spirit of American gin with a bold sarsaparilla and citrus profile.
• Brooklyn: A contemporary gin with a bold, innovative flavours, one of the original New Western style.
• Ki No Bi: A Japanese gin that harmoniously blends tradition and innovation. See our review here.
• Herno: A Swedish gem known for its purity and complexity, beautifully balanced botanicals, and apparently they have a hotel you can stay in now!
• London No3: A quintessential London dry gin, very piney and actually made in the Netherlands.
• Little Juniper: A delightful small-batch gin with unique botanical notes, a modern Australian classic.
• Martin Millers (Westbourne): one of the first of the “super-premium” gins to appear and has stood the test of time.
• Melbourne Gin Company:  One of the first of the new wave of Aussie gins made by a wine maker. See an early review here.
• Occitan: A gin that that shows that Italy has been crafting fine gins since the 1860s with the recipe unchanged, exquisite use of juniper. See my review here.
• Plymouth: A classic gin with a rich history and a balanced flavour profile, my comfort zone Martini.
• Silva Carta: An exquisite gin with a touch of elegance from the coast of Sardinia, one of their range uses just fresh juniper for a gin.

Cheers to World Gin Day

On this World Gin Day, let’s raise our glasses to the vibrant and dynamic world of gin. Whether you’re enjoying a classic gin and tonic, a sophisticated martini, or exploring new and exciting gin cocktails, remember to savour the craft and passion that goes into every bottle.

Here’s to many more delightful sips to come, cheers!

Past World Gin Day Articles

• World Gin Day: Gin Reviews
• Event: World Gin Day Canberra Dinner
• It’s a Wrap: World Gin Dinner Day 2016
• World Gin Day Dinner 2017 & Recipes
• World Gin Day 2020 with Antipodes Gin

Sources

• https://vinepair.com/articles/top-10-gin-brands-2024 
• https://ginspiration.de/ginspiration-world-gin-map-english/
• https://finance.yahoo.com/news/data-australian-gin-market-shows-105201212.html
• https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/alcoholic-drinks/spirits/gin/australia
• https://www.distilledspirits.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2023-Gin-in-the-U.S.-Fact-Sheet.pdf
• https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5806984/gin-global-market-report