Top 10 Gins Available at Your Local Albany Gin Store

If you've been on the hunt for a great bottle of gin in Albany, NY, you're in the right place. At Liquor Universe on Central Avenue, we stock a solid range of gins — from the classic London Dry style to some seriously interesting craft expressions that go well beyond your typical G&T.

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Whether you're a seasoned gin drinker or just starting to explore the category, here's a look at ten bottles worth grabbing.

1. Bombay Sapphire: One of the most recognizable bottles on any gin shelf, Bombay Sapphire is made using ten botanicals that are vapor-infused rather than boiled. The result is a smooth, bright gin with light citrus and a gentle juniper backbone. It's endlessly mixable and a great starting point.

Shop Bombay Sapphire: Vapor-Infused & Bright →

2. Hendrick's Gin: Made in small batches in Scotland, Hendrick's is infused with rose petals and cucumber, which gives it a floral, garden-fresh character that sets it apart from your classic London Dry. Serve it with tonic and a cucumber slice and you'll understand why it has such a loyal following.

Shop Hendrick's: Infused with Rose & Cucumber →

3. Tanqueray London Dry: Charles Tanqueray got into distilling back in 1830, and his recipe has barely needed touching since. Only four botanicals — juniper, coriander, angelica root, and licorice — go into this bottle, and the balance they achieve is near-perfect. Bold, crisp, and built for cocktails.

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4. Beefeater London Dry: Beefeater is a workhorse gin that's earned its place on the shelf through consistency and quality. Juniper-forward with a clean citrus edge, it's the go-to for bartenders making classic gin and tonics, Negronis, or martinis. Never flashy, always reliable.

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5. Aviation American Gin: Distilled in Portland, Oregon, Aviation takes a softer approach to juniper and leans into lavender, cardamom, and orange peel instead. It's one of the more approachable American gins out there, and the flavor holds up well in both shaken cocktails and spirit-forward drinks.

Shop Aviation: Smooth with Lavender & Citrus →

6. Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin: Germany's Black Forest is home to this wildly complex gin that uses 47 botanicals — including lingonberries, which give it a subtle tartness no other gin really has. Bottled at 47% ABV, it's one for sipping slowly or in a simple highball where the flavor can actually shine.

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7. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin: Slow-distilled in hand-hammered copper pot stills in rural Ireland, this gin is infused with oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea, which gives it a bold, bright, and slightly spicy character. The combination of fresh citrus and exotic tea creates a layered complexity that stands out in any glass. Serve it with a premium tonic and a thick wedge of fresh red grapefruit to fully unlock its curious and refreshing flavor profile.

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8. Tanqueray No. Ten: Think of Tanqueray No. Ten as the more refined sibling of the original. It's distilled with whole fresh citrus fruits — grapefruit, orange, and lime — alongside chamomile, which gives it a noticeably more aromatic character. It's particularly good in a martini where those nuances come through.

Shop Tanqueray No. Ten: Refined Fresh Citrus →

9. Roku Japanese Gin: Roku is made by Suntory in Japan using six unique Japanese botanicals: sakura flower, sakura leaf, yuzu peel, sencha tea, gyokuro tea, and sansho pepper. Each season's harvest influences the batch, making it one of the more thoughtful gins on the market. Pair it with a Japanese tonic and a grapefruit peel.

Shop Roku: Thoughtful Japanese Botanicals →

10. Citadelle Gin: Produced in Southwestern France using a patented progressive infusion process, Citadelle is distilled in small copper pots with 19 different botanicals. This method creates a perfectly balanced profile of juniper, citrus, and delicate floral notes that feels incredibly fresh on the palate. Serve it in a classic gin and tonic with a twist of lemon to see why this French original is a staple for gin enthusiasts.

Shop Citadelle Gin: Elegant & Fresh French Original →

All ten of these bottles are available at Liquor Universe, your gin store at 1145 Central Avenue, Albany. Not sure which one to start with?

Stop in and ask — we're happy to point you in the right direction. Can't make it out? We offer 1-hour delivery and curbside pickup so you can get your bottle without leaving home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between London Dry Gin and modern craft gin?
London Dry Gin, like Tanqueray or Beefeater, is a traditional style known for being very crisp and juniper-forward, with no sugar added after distillation. Modern craft gins often take a softer approach to juniper, instead highlighting unique botanicals like cucumber and rose (Hendrick's) or Japanese yuzu and sansho pepper (Roku).

Where can I find the best selection of craft gin in Albany, NY?
Liquor Universe, located at 1145 Central Avenue, is your premier Albany gin store. We stock a wide range of gins, from globally recognized brands like Bombay Sapphire to hard-to-find craft expressions like The Botanist and Monkey 47.

Can I get gin delivered to my home in the Albany Capital Region?
Yes! Liquor Universe offers 1-hour local delivery within our designated delivery zone, which includes Albany, Colonie, Latham, Guilderland, and Bethlehem. This is the fastest way to get your favorite gin delivered directly to your door.

Which gin is recommended for making a classic Gin and Tonic?
For a classic Gin and Tonic, you cannot go wrong with a reliable London Dry like Beefeater or Tanqueray. Their bold juniper profile and clean citrus notes stand up well to the quinine in the tonic water.