Blended gin is created by combining multiple separately distilled gin components after distillation rather than producing the final gin in a single distillation run.

What are the advantages of blending gin distillates?

Blending allows greater consistency between batches, enables seasonal adjustment of botanicals, supports more complex flavour layering, and reduces waste by allowing individual components to be adjusted.

Is blended gin considered lower quality?

Blended gin is not a compromise; it is a creative and technical choice increasingly recognised as a mark of precision rather than dilution.

What defines a Blended Gin?

Q: Why do distillers use blending in gin production?

Blending allows distillers greater control over balance, consistency, and complexity, enabling precise flavour tuning that would be difficult to achieve in one-shot distillation.

Q: How does blended gin differ from compound gin?

Blended gin differs from compound gin, where botanicals are infused into neutral alcohol without redistillation.

Q: How does blended gin differ from single-shot gin?

Blended gin differs from single-shot or one-shot gin, where all botanicals are distilled together at once.

Wayne Munday
Jan 21, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Blended gin is one of the most misunderstood production styles in modern gin making, often incorrectly associated with lower quality or shortcuts. In reality, blending is a deliberate and highly skilled technique long used in whisky, Cognac, and rum, and increasingly embraced by premium gin distillers. Rather than producing a final gin in a single distillation run, blended gin is created by combining multiple separately distilled gin components, each designed to express specific botanical or textural characteristics. This approach allows distillers greater control over balance, consistency, and complexity, enabling precise flavour tuning that would be difficult to achieve in one-shot distillation. Understanding what defines blended gin helps consumers better appreciate craftsmanship, innovation, and the evolving diversity of modern gin styles.

A blended gin is defined by how it is made, not by its flavour profile or quality tier. At its core, blended gin is produced by combining two or more gin distillates after distillation, rather than creating the final spirit in a single run.

Each distillate is typically designed with a specific purpose. One may focus on juniper structure, another on citrus brightness, spice depth, or floral aromatics. These components are distilled separately, allowing precise control over extraction, temperature, and botanical expression. Once complete, the distiller blends them together to achieve a balanced and consistent final gin.

This method differs from compound gin, where botanicals are infused into neutral alcohol without redistillation, and from single-shot or one-shot gin, where all botanicals are distilled together at once. Blended gin still meets legal definitions of gin or distilled gin, provided juniper remains the dominant flavour.

Blending offers several advantages. It allows greater consistency between batches, enables seasonal adjustment of botanicals, and supports more complex flavour layering. It also reduces waste, as individual components can be adjusted without redistilling entire batches.

Importantly, blended gin is not a compromise—it is a creative and technical choice. Many premium and craft producers use blending to refine house style, enhance mouthfeel, and maintain quality at scale. As consumer understanding grows, blended gin is increasingly recognised as a mark of precision, not dilution.