Last month, a budget bottle of gin from Aldi was ranked among the best in the world. The supermarket’s Haysmith’s Rhubarb and Ginger gin won a top award at a prestigious competition - and it costs less than £15 a bottle.
The own-brand gin won a Gold Outstanding title - the highest possible award - at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, beating rivals like Edinburgh Gin’s Rhubarb & Ginger option, which retails at around double the price of Aldi’s bottle.
One of the best in the world is really quite the title, so we decided to put it to the test to see if it really lives up to its bold claims - and, after pouring a glass, I had to double check the label.
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The Rhubarb and Ginger gin comes in a vibrant purple glass bottle, complete with an orange and gold foil label illustrated with pictures of rhubarb and ginger. It certainly looks the part - and for such an affordable price, the design work is really smart.
It’s got a cork-style lid rather than a screw top, with the latter traditionally being considered cheap, which gives Aldi’s bottle a subtly elevated feel.
Upon pouring the gin, it has a light white wine kind of colour to it, but it was the consistency that had me flipping the bottle over to check the label.
The spirit has quite a thick, syrupy consistency that you would typically see in a gin liqueur, which are generally half the strength of your average London Dry - and it’s not uncommon for fruity gins to be liqueurs rather than full-strength spirits.
But to my surprise, the Aldi tipple was in fact 40 per cent ABV - it also happens to be vegan, too, which is good news for those looking for a suitable spirit to celebrate the three upcoming bank holiday weekends.
During the competition judging, the Aldi gin was described as: “Magnificently well balanced with full, rich flavours of mouth-watering rhubarb, fiery ginger and chaste juniper”, scoring a total of 98 points.
Usually, I avoid rhubarb and ginger gins because I find the ginger overpowering, instead opting for juicy rhubarb gins like Warner’s and Whitley Neill. However, I was really surprised at how well rounded the Aldi tipple was, with a tartness from the fruit and subtle spice from the root ginger, one that leaves a tingly aftertaste in the mouth without being bitter or earthy.
It’s warming yet bright and summery, and most importantly, still tastes like a gin, with the juniper notes cutting through the bold flavour profile, which can often become diluted in a fruit spirit.
It goes down really smooth, but for me, is a bit thick and syrupy for a traditional gin - but some people will much prefer that.
I can’t be certain it’s one of the best rhubarb and ginger gins in the world, but it’s definitely one of the best that I’ve had personally - and trust me, I’ve had my fair share.
At the awards, the supermarket scooped up 17 awards in a variety of categories - more than double the number of achieved by competitor Waitrose, who only scooped up seven medals.
Aldi also received a Gold medal for its Glen Marnoch Limited Edition Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (£17.49, 75cl), being praised for its “lovely soft texture and solid length”.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK says: “We are extremely proud to have received the highest possible accolade for our own brand spirits. Now more than ever, we want to show that low prices don’t mean compromising on quality or taste.”
Aldi’s Haysmith’s Rhubarb and Ginger gin costs £14.99 a bottle and is available to click and collect online - or you can purchase a bottle at Aldi stores nationwide.
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