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5. Gin Essentials: Gin Regulation

Continuing our Gin Essentials series, let’s next explore how different countries regulate gin.

United Kingdom: Gin Regulations Under the Spirits Drinks Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/3206)

The UK—one of the world’s most influential gin markets—has detailed legal definitions that are broadly aligned with EU standards (and were originally derived from them). UK law defines gin as follows:

UK Gin Must:

  • Be made from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin
  • Contain a predominant juniper flavor
  • Be bottled at a minimum of 37.5% ABV
  • Be flavored with natural botanicals (synthetic flavors are restricted)

Specific UK Gin Categories

The UK legally recognises three core gin styles:

1. “Gin”

  • Alcohol flavored with juniper berries and other natural botanicals
  • Can be compounded (flavor added without redistillation)

2. “Distilled Gin”

  • Made by redistilling ethyl alcohol with juniper berries and natural botanicals
  • Additional natural flavors may be added afterward

3. “London Dry Gin”

  • Must be produced by redistillation of natural botanicals only
  • No sweeteners > 0.1 g per liter
  • No added flavorings after distillation
  • No artificial colorings
  • Juniper must remain the dominant flavor
  • Final product must come off the still at ≥70% ABV before dilution

These UK classifications heavily influence global gin standards and are widely followed by premium gin producers around the world.

European Union: Regulation (EU) 2019/787

EU gin must:

  • Use a neutral alcohol base distilled to ≥96% ABV
  • Be flavored with juniper berries
  • Have a minimum ABV of 37.5%

EU classifications include:

  • Gin
  • Distilled Gin
  • London Dry Gin (strictest, no additives after distillation, juniper-led)
United States (TTB Regulations)

In the U.S., gin must:

  • Be made from neutral alcohol distilled at 95% ABV or higher
  • Be redistilled with botanicals (or compounded)
  • Have a predominant juniper character
  • Be bottled at at least 40% ABV

Most U.S. producers today use neutral spirit at 96% ABV.

Canada: CRA & Food and Drug Regulations

Canadian regulations define gin as:

  • Alcohol of agricultural origin
  • Redistilled with juniper berries or flavored to taste of juniper
  • Minimum bottling strength 40% ABV

Canada permits both distilled and cold-compounded gin, provided juniper remains dominant.

Singapore: SFA & Customs Regulations

Singapore’s gin standards align closely with EU/UK definitions.

Gin in Singapore must:

  • Use ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin
  • Have a predominant juniper flavor
  • Be bottled at ≥37.5% ABV
  • Comply with Singapore Food Regulations on permitted additives, colorants, and labeling

Singapore permits:

  • Distilled gins
  • Compounded gins
  • Flavored gins

References and Sources

United Kingdom
  1. UK Spirits Drinks Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/3206)
    https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/3206/contents
    Primary UK legislation defining gin, distilled gin, and London Dry Gin.
  2. UK Government – Spirit Drinks Guidance
    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-standards-and-labelling-spirits
    Official guidance on spirit categories, flavouring rules, and labelling.
European Union
  1. Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council
    https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/787/oj
    Authoritative EU regulation governing spirit drinks, including gin classifications.
  2. European Commission – Spirit Drinks Explained
    https://food.ec.europa.eu/safety/food-improvement-agents/spirits_en
    Overview of spirit drink categories and technical definitions.
United States
  1. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) – Gin Definition
    https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-5
    Federal definitions of gin, distilled spirits, and bottling strength requirements.
  2. TTB Beverage Alcohol Manual (BAM)
    https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/beverage-alcohol
    Detailed technical and compliance guidance for U.S. spirits producers.
Canada
  1. Canada Revenue Agency – Excise Act, 2001
    https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/E-14.1/
    Legal framework for spirits classification and alcohol strength.
  2. Food and Drug Regulations (Canada)
    https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._870/
    Defines composition, flavouring, and labelling rules for spirits including gin.
Singapore
  1. Singapore Food Regulations (Sale of Food Act)
    https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/SFA1973-S684-2020
    Governs composition, additives, colourings, and labelling of alcoholic beverages.
  2. Singapore Food Agency (SFA) – Alcoholic Beverages
    https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-information/alcoholic-beverages
    Regulatory guidance on permitted standards for spirits.
  3. Singapore Customs – Excise Duties & Licensing
    https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/valuation-duties-taxes-fees/excise-duties
    Covers excise controls and import requirements for distilled spirits.