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.