Gin and vodka both begin as a neutral spirit, but one key ingredient sets them apart: juniper. Vodka is distilled to be clean and neutral, while gin is redistilled with botanicals, with juniper providing its distinctive flavour. It’s these botanicals that give every gin its own unique personality.
A Shared Beginning
Most gin and vodka start life in exactly the same way. Grains such as wheat, barley, rye or maize are fermented and distilled to create a highly purified neutral spirit. Some producers use grapes, potatoes or apples, but the aim is always the same to produce a smooth spirit with very little flavour.
At this stage, there is almost no difference between gin and vodka.
Juniper Changes Everything
The journey changes when botanicals are introduced.
To be legally called gin, juniper must be the dominant flavour. Its fresh pine, resinous and gently peppery notes create the unmistakable taste that has defined gin for centuries.
Vodka follows a different path. Rather than adding flavour, it is filtered and diluted to remain as clean and neutral as possible. This makes vodka an excellent base for cocktails where the other ingredients are intended to take centre stage.