The Gin Guide Awards 2026 - Entry Categories

Gin Entry Categories 2026

The Gin Guide Awards celebrates gins and distilleries in the following categories. Please ensure you have read the full descriptions of each category before entering your gin(s) to ensure that they are placed in the most suitable category:

Tasting categories
Geographic categories
Distillery & Product Awards
Cocktail categories
Design & Branding category
The Gin Guide Bursary Award

If you are unsure if your gin is eligible for a category, please contact [email protected] before entering.

Gin Tasting Categories

These categories are defined by the taste, character and quality of the gin:

Traditional Gin: Unmistakably juniper-forward gins with a traditional flavour profile and botanicals (e.g. juniper, angelica root, coriander seeds, citrus) and without prominent contemporary botanicals. Entries may be produced using traditional or contemporary production methods. Minimum 37.5% ABV.
Contemporary Gin: Gins with prominent juniper alongside non-traditional botanicals or flavour profiles (e.g. bold floral or herbal profiles). Entries may be produced using traditional or contemporary production methods. Excludes Flavoured or Infused Gins and Barrel Aged Gins. Minimum 37.5% ABV.
Aged Gin: Gins aged in wooden barrels or aged with wood chips or staves. Minimum 37.5% ABV

Flavoured / Infused Gin: Gins with identifiable juniper and prominent natural flavours of fruit, flowers or other botanicals from which flavour is achieved through distillation, infusion or blending. Excludes gin liqueurs. Minimum 37.5% ABV.

High ABV / Navy Strength Gin: Gins bottled at 54% ABV or above (max. 70% ABV).

Old Tom Gin: Gins in the traditional Old Tom style, sweetened botanically or post-distillation, and labelled as an 'Old Tom Gin'. Excludes Flavoured Gins. Minimum 37.5% ABV.

Spiced Gin (Winter Spice & Festive Spice): Gins with clearly identifiable juniper and a prominent focus on a combination of traditional winter and/or festive spice botanicals. Asian-spiced gins are eligible in the Contemporary Gin category. Minimum 37.5% ABV

International Gin Awards

These categories are defined by the distillation location of the gin. Awards are presented in each country and/or continent that receives the threshold minimum number of entries:

African Gin: Gins distilled and bottled within Africa.
Asian Gin: Gins distilled and bottled within Asia.
Australasian Gin: Gins distilled and bottled within Australia or New Zealand.
British Gin: Gins distilled and bottled within England, Scotland and Wales.
European Gin: Gins distilled and bottled within Europe.
North American Gin: Gins distilled and bottled within the USA or Canada.
South & Central American Gin: Gins distilled and bottled within South America, Central America or the Caribbean.

Country Categories: Additional national and regional Awards are awarded for all countries and geographical regions from which the threshold number of entries are received. For example, see the 2025 International Awards results.

Distillery & Product Awards

These categories are Awarded to distilleries entering multiple products and achieving the highest average scores across their entries:

Gin Distillery of the Year Award: Awarded to the distillery whose gin range (3 or more entries across 2 or more gin categories in the 2026 Awards) has achieved the highest average score. The Winner receives the Glencairn Glass 'Distillery of the Year 2026' Trophy.
Distillery of the Year Award: Awarded to the distillery whose product range (3 or more entries across 2 or more product categories (e.g. gin and vodka) in the 2026 Awards) has achieved the highest average score. The Winner receives the Glencairn Glass 'Distillery of the Year 2026' Trophy.
New Distillery of the Year Award: Awarded to the distillery launched in 2025 whose products (2 or more entries across 2 or more product categories (e.g. gin and vodka) in the 2026 Awards) have achieved the highest average score. The Winner receives the coveted Glencairn Glass 'New Distillery of the Year 2026' Trophy.

Gin of the Year Award: Awarded to the gin which achieves the highest combined score from its blind tasting category together with the Design & Branding category.

Cocktail Categories

Gin Martini Category (additional cost - £80 per gin)
Each gin entered into this category is judged as a Martini made with a 6:1 ratio of gin to Dolin vermouth.

Gin Negroni Category (additional cost - £80 per gin)
Each gin entered into this category is judged as a Negroni made with Campari and Cinzano Rosso.
Vodka Martini Category (additional cost - £80 per vodka)
Each vodka entered into this category is judged as a Martini made with a 6:1 ratio of vodka to Dolin vermouth.

Design & Branding Award

Design & Branding Award (additional cost - £95)
For the brands or individual products with the most outstanding combination of branding, bottling, labelling, presentation, and related brand activity and materials. Judged by spirits industry professionals and specialists in spirits marketing, PR, retail and merchandising.

You will be contacted after entry for additional information to support your entry into these categories. You can view the Information Form in advance here.