I have tried several different kinds of gin in the past and liked none of them. Some of them were highly regarded and popular but I just did not like them. However my family got us a tour at a local craft distillery that does gin. I was not expecting to like it at all, but it was actually good. So I went in with negative expectations and enjoyed it. It was good stuff. So I know a very small amount about what a local craft distillery does, but I know nothing about the big brands. What does a craft distillery or small scale or local or something do different than the big popular name brands that I can look for in a gin?
A lot of gins can be categorized based on their flavor profile. Some common ones are juniper-forward, herbal, or citrus. A lot of the bigger names are more juniper-forward gins, and a lot of craft gins are citrus or herbal. The best way to figure out what gins you will like is to go to a good bar with a gin selection, and ask the bartender for recommendations that are similar to the one you liked. Also, learn to identify different flavors that you like or dislike. Often, you can find descriptions of different gins (and other spirits) either on labels or online.
Finally, don’t be afraid to revisit something you didn’t like in a few years. Your palate and preferences can and will change, and you might really like something you didn’t enjoy before.
I wonder if I can find a place that does a flight or something. Hmm.
If you’re at a nicer bar with a liquor selection, they might do flights or smaller pours. It’s worth asking