Gin's European geography
UK heartland (London, Plymouth, Edinburgh, regional England), German craft scene (Hamburg, Berlin, Munich), Spanish-Basque artisan, Scandinavian botanical-forward. Each region has distinct botanicals + style.
London
London Sipsmith (Chiswick — gin pioneer that legalized small-batch UK distilling 2009), Beefeater Distillery (Kennington), Hayman's, City of London Distillery. £18–35 distillery tours include tastings. Clerkenwell-Islington dense.
Plymouth
Plymouth, England — Plymouth Gin Distillery (since 1793, the oldest working gin distillery in England). Day-trip from London (3h train) or weekend stay.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Holyrood Distillery, Pickering's, Edinburgh Gin Distillery. Plus Scottish-bee-pollinated and heather-botanical local gins. Day-trip access to Glenkinchie.
Hamburg
Hamburg Sankt St. Pauli, Gin Sul, Hamburger Sonntag. Hamburg's harbor heritage produces nautical-themed gin distilleries. €15–35 tours.
Berlin
Berlin Adler Berlin Dry Gin, Mampe (historic), Berliner Brandstifter. Berlin gin distilleries small-batch + experimental.
Bilbao + San Sebastián
Basque Country. Gin Mare (the famous Mediterranean gin from Catalonia, but Basque-distilled), small artisan distilleries. Spanish gin scene strong.
Stockholm
Stockholm Hernö Gin (Härnösand based, Stockholm tasting room), Strömsholm. Nordic botanical-forward.
Reykjavik
Reykjavík Brennivín distillery, plus Icelandic gin (using Icelandic moss, juniper, angelica). Combined with Reykjavik visits.
Strategy
Distillery tours often include gin-tonic-pairing class. London Gin Festival (June) and Berlin Gin Days. Bottle-shipping options for international purchases.