The quintessential gin and tonic is the go-to cocktail for many, with this spirit being one of the most famous in the world. Due to its popularity for those who have an affinity for juniper, some people are willing to spend big bucks on a good bottle of gin – and by big bucks, we’re talking thousands of dollars.
This article looks at the world's most expensive gin and some close runners-up.
The History of Gin
Originating as a medicinal liquor in Salerno, Netherlands, and the Flanders, this now popular spirit was formerly made by monks and alchemists. Becoming popular in England shortly after the introduction of jenever during the late 1500s, gin did not become widespread until after the 1688 Glorious Revolution. Gin then became the national spirit of England, partly due to the import restrictions on French brandy that followed the Revolution.
Today, gin is produced using various herbal infusions, with juniper being the most popular ingredient. Gin and tonics are undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular drinks, while many prefer to drink gin neat. The popularity of this flavorful spirit has led to connoisseurs spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on a bottle of premium gin.
The Most Expensive Gin in the World
1. Jam Jar Gin Morus LXIV
The London-based distillery Jam Jar Gin released this $5,167 bottle of gin in 2018, making this the “world’s most valuable gin.” While this luxury gin was available only at Harvey Nichols, it is now nearly impossible to find.
This gin costs more than most of us make in a month for various reasons. Named after the ancient Mulberry tree Morus Nigra, found in the British countryside, the leaves from this tree lend a hand to the sweet yet woody flavor of this gin. They are hand harvested and dried individually before the distillation process begins.
Other botanicals from the area near the tree are then gathered and placed in the still with the Mulberry leaves. The liquid is placed in a cask for two years to age, making this 64% ABV cast-strength gin truly exquisite. Only 25 large format jars were initially available, so if you were looking to score one of these large jam jars, you’re probably out of luck.
2. Cambridge Distillery Watenshi Gin
Previously the world’s most expensive gin, valued at over $2,800 per bottle, Watenshi Gin is made by Grantchester, England’s Cambridge Distillery. This Japanese-style gin is the first to be distilled entirely from Japanese botanicals. This dry gin is named after Watenshi, a Japanese angel, and signifies the rarity and ultra-unique flavor of Watenshi Gin.
Watenshi Gin is medium-bodied and has a crystal-clear appearance. You’ll be refreshed with menthol, catch whiffs of shiso and yuzu citrus, and taste sansho and juniper. Due to the time involved in making this gin, Cambridge Distillery only puts out 36 bottles per year, with no more than six being available per country.
3. Nolet’s Reserve Modern Gin
Holland's Nolet's Reserve Modern Gin is slightly more affordable for an expensive gin, with a bottle starting at $698. Created by 10th generation distillery owner Carolus Nolet Sr., this complex gin is bottled at 52.3% ABV. You can find notes of warm and spicy saffron and a hint of delicate verbena while you sip this premium dry gin, along with several other Reserve-based botanicals.
4. Adler Berlin Dry Gin KPM Edition
This $387 German gin is given its hefty price tag partly due to its limited edition bottle. With only 500 bottles made worldwide, this white porcelain bottle was made by the Royal Porcelain Manufactory in Berlin. Printed with a 24-carat gold coin design, this bottle screams luxury while offering a premium gin inside. The Adler Berlin Dry Gin features strong green cardamom, juniper, and coriander, with hints of candied ginger, lemon, and sage.
5. Kyoto Distillery Ki Noh Bi Cask Aged Gin
This $346 Japanese gin is a cask-aged version of the classic KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin. There have been several editions of the KI NOH BI Cask Aged Gin, with each label being a collaboration with the Kamiasobi Noh Troupe. After this premium gin is carefully monitored to achieve the perfect balance between its botanical flavors and wood influence, it is diluted with Fushimi water before it is bottled.
6. Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut
Germany’s Monkey 47 released this $308 gin in 2020, giving us a fighting chance at buying an expensive gin. While a new installment in their Distiller’s Cut collection is issued each year, 2020 brought this exquisite gin that aged in Japanese Mizunara barrels and features notes of coconut and sandalwood. A bottle of this unique Schwarzwald Dry Gin is 47% ABV.
7. Cambridge Distillery Anty Gin
Cambridge Distillery doesn’t just create gins that cost thousands of dollars, like our second most expensive gin on this list. A bottle of Anty Gin is valued at $235 and is the world’s first insect-based gin. Let us explain. The essence of 62 wood ants is combined with wild botanicals, including nettle, alexander seeds, and wood avens, to produce this unusual gin.
While ants may seem like an odd ingredient to blend with gin, the red wood ant provides an acidic, citrus taste and is a rich source of formic acid, a natural preservative. This unique gin has won multiple awards, including the World’s Most Innovative Beverage in 2015.
8. Forager’s Clogau Reserve Gin
Does the name Clogau sound familiar to you? That might be because this Welsh gin was made in collaboration between Welsh jewelry brand, Clogau and Snowdonia Distillery. While seemingly an odd partnership, this gin was created to celebrate the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May of 2018. This single-cask gin features cameo apple, elderberry, heather, gorse flower, sea buckthorn, and of course, juniper, as well as water filtered through literal seams of gold. This bottle is valued at approximately $170.
