Lidl gin beats more expensive rivals in blind taste test

Which dry gin came out on top?

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Gin is undoubtedly the spirit of the moment, with many Brits turning to it for a tipple that’s full of flavour.

However, with such a plethora of brands to choose from, how can you possibly know which one to go for when making a tasty G&T?

Good Housekeeping Institute recently conducted a blind taste test to assess the best London dry gin brands on offer, and Lidl’s own version ranked surprisingly high.

Hortus London Dry Gin, £15.99, lidl.co.uk (Lidl)

Hortus Artisan London Dry Gin, which retails at £15.99 from Lidl, scored an impressive 77 points out of a possible 100, placing seventh on the overall list.

The gin was noted for its “smooth texture” and “herby aromas”, beating other famous brands including Gordon’s London Dry Gin and entries from Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Asda.

Thomas Dakin Gin, which costs nearly double the price at £29, placed fifteenth on the list.

Bombay Sapphire Gin, which is sold from Sainsbury’s for £21 and known for the bottle’s recognisable blue hue, scored one point higher than the Hortus London Dry Gin, with the judges pointing out its subtle, refreshing flavours.

However, the overall winner of the blind taste test managed to wangle a score of 84.

Opihr Oriental Spiced London Dry Gin, which is sold for £23 from Asda, was described by the judges as having “fabulous ginger, orange zest and aromatic, sweet spice notes” and a “delicate warm finish".

“Our Good Housekeeping blind taste tests always unearth the best value and flavours for consumers across the UK,” said Alexandra Hale, cookery school and venue manager wine and spirits specialist at Good Housekeeping Institute.

Opihr Oriental Spiced London Dry Gin, £23, groceries.asda.com (Asda)

“It’s no surprise to see Opihr at the top of the gin list, but also great to see affordable options from retailers such as Sainsbury’s, The Wine Society and Lidl featuring on the top half of the list.

“With so much choice on the market nowadays, the Good Housekeeping Institute taste tests are a great and truly fair indicator of where consumers can get the most bang for their buck.”

It’s recently been reported that gin sales hit a record high in the UK around the Christmas period, with more than 16 million bottles of gin sold in the three months leading up to the end of the year.