Gin Distilleries: How Many Exist and Where to Find Them

Ever wondered just how many gin distilleries are bubbling away around the world right now? You’re not alone—it’s a question that doesn’t have a simple answer. There’s no single register, and the number keeps changing as new places pop up and others close the doors. But here’s what I do know: in 2025, there are well over 7,000 gin distilleries worldwide. The UK alone has passed 800, and the US has gone past 1,000. Even countries you wouldn’t expect, like Japan and South Africa, are jumping on the gin train.

This wild growth means gin lovers have way more choices than ever—classic London dry, fruity infusions, even bottles made with local seaweed or desert botanicals. It also means there’s a huge range in size and style. One distillery might fill ancient copper stills in a city warehouse, while another is run by a three-person family team in a village barn. If you ever thought gin was just a London thing, think again—Australia, Spain, Germany, and even Brazil are making serious waves with their own twists on this classic.

If you ever find yourself booking a trip, don’t just aim for the biggest names. The small, weird, and experimental spots are where you’ll get the best stories (and tastings). Honestly, some of my favorite bottles come from distilleries that don’t even have a shop, just a bell on the door for curious visitors.

• Gin Distilleries: The Numbers Worldwide
• Why So Many? The Gin Boom Explained
• Where to Find the Most Unique Gin Tours
• Tips for Making the Most of Your Distillery Visit

Gin Distilleries: The Numbers Worldwide

If you try to count every gin distillery on the planet, you’ll definitely lose count. The gin scene has exploded in the last decade, breaking all previous records. As of 2025, estimates put the worldwide total at more than 7,000 distilleries making gin. That’s everything from big commercial plants to tiny backroom outfits bottling a few hundred liters a year.

The UK still wears the crown—there are now over 800 licensed gin distilleries in Britain. Ten years ago, you’d have been lucky to find half that number. London and Scotland lead, but places like Cornwall and even Wales are popping up on gin maps all the time. The US isn’t trailing far behind anymore, with over 1,000 gin distilleries by the end of last year, and new names still hitting the market every month. There’s real variety in American gin, too. You’ll find traditional dry gins plus wild stuff using cactus, spruce tips, or smoked botanicals.

Here’s a quick look at where the biggest clusters of gin distillery action happen:

• United Kingdom: 800+ distilleries (Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland combined)
• United States: 1,000+ distilleries stretching from California to Maine
• Australia: Over 350 distilleries, especially in Victoria and Tasmania
• Germany: About 150+ producers, many of which use wild forest botanicals
• Spain: Around 80 distilleries—Minorca is a bit of a gin secret
• Japan: Nearly 50 distilleries, most blending traditional local ingredients

Some countries aren’t even on the radar yet but are growing fast. South Africa, Brazil, India, and even Iceland are picking up steam with creative local gins.

If you love numbers, check this stat: According to the UK’s Wine and Spirit Trade Association, gin sales in the UK alone topped £2.5 billion in 2024. That’s not just a few hipsters—the whole world’s getting in on the gin game.

The cool part? No matter where you live, there’s likely a distillery, tasting room, or gin school not far from you. And with hundreds of new businesses filing each year, that number’s only going up.

Why So Many? The Gin Boom Explained

The gin world’s gone a bit wild, and there’s no real mystery about why. The last decade saw an explosion of gin distilleries, and it isn’t slowing down. Britain kicked things off in a big way around 2010, when gin sales started beating every old record. The secret sauce? Relaxed distilling laws plus drinkers looking for new flavors and craft experiences. Suddenly, making your own gin wasn't just for giant companies—small teams and even couples started opening their own spots.

The numbers are kind of staggering. According to the UK Spirits Alliance, the UK moved from barely 150 gin distilleries in 2013 to over 800 by 2025. That’s more than a 400% jump. The US followed, going from a handful of craft distillers in the early 2000s to more than 1,000 today. Even places like Spain, Germany, and Australia saw huge leaps as gin fever caught on.

What’s really driven the boom isn’t just creative flavors (think: rhubarb, lemongrass, even truffles in your gin), but a genuine thirst for local stories behind every bottle. Folks love knowing the person who made their craft gin or the story behind a certain botanical that only grows in one part of the country. For tourists, distillery tours offer something fun and hands-on—taste tests, cocktail workshops, even blending your own mini batch to take home.

And thanks to social media, gin went from "old person’s drink" to Instagram star. Distilleries started tossing in eye-catching bottles, pop-up bars, and wild limited releases. Check out how the worldwide scene grew over the last 10 years:

It all adds up to one simple fact: the gin production business is booming because people want more options, more stories, and better experiences than just grabbing a bottle off the supermarket shelf.

Where to Find the Most Unique Gin Tours

If you think gin distilleries are all the same, you’re in for a surprise. Some tours go way beyond a peek at a copper still—they've turned tastings into hands-on, wild experiences. Here’s what I’d recommend if you want something to brag about back home.

London: Let’s start with the home of London dry gin. Places like Sipsmith in Chiswick offer a full distillery walkthrough plus the chance to try their seasonal gins. But for real street cred, check out The Ginstitute in Notting Hill—they let you blend your very own bottle using dozens of botanicals.

Scotland: Scotland’s known for whisky, but they’re also nailing gin. Edinburgh Gin, for example, lets you play with ingredients and make your own blend. Caorunn Distillery up in the Highlands gives tours right in the heart of their working plant, surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Australia: If you’re ever down under, Four Pillars in Victoria is famous for their cool, interactive tours with guided tastings and a peek at how they infuse local flavors. There are smaller stops too, like Applewood Distillery in South Australia, which doubles as a lesson in weird native botanicals.

Spain and Germany: These two might surprise you—Spain’s obsession with gin-tonic is legendary, and spots like Destilerias MG (makers of Gin Mare near Barcelona) run coastal tours with tapas pairings. In Germany, Monkey 47 in the Black Forest leads tours through their old cellars, finishing up with their famously floral gins in a tiny tasting room.

Ready to book? A few tips: always check if tours need a reservation—some small distilleries are pretty exclusive and have limited spots. Look for places offering hands-on blending or mixing. That way you get to personalize the experience instead of just watching.

• Search for "craft gin distillery tour" or the city + "gin experience" for hidden gems.
• Visit during local festivals, when distilleries often host special tours or guest makers.
• If you’re traveling in a group, call ahead—private tastings are usually better value and more fun.

Don’t assume the famous places give the best tours. Sometimes the quirky local spot run by someone’s granny will serve the most memorable dram—and maybe a wild story or two.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Distillery Visit

So you’re planning a gin adventure? Smart move. Touring gin distilleries is way more fun when you head in with a game plan. These places are packed with interesting gear, stories, and of course, tastings. The best part? Anyone can have a great experience, whether you’re a seasoned gin nerd or just tagging along for the day out.

• Book ahead whenever possible. Smaller distilleries and craft spots often run tours by appointment or only on certain days. A lot of tours fill up fast, especially on weekends or festival days. Check the distillery’s website or social feed for the latest info—some places release extra spots last-minute.
• Go hungry (but not too hungry). Most tours include samples, and you’ll want a clear head—and palate—for tasting. A light lunch is perfect. If the distillery has a bar or restaurant, try their signature cocktails too. Some Australian distilleries, for example, serve up absolutely wild G&Ts using native botanicals alongside tasty snacks.
• Ask questions. People who run and work in gin distilleries love getting into the details. Don’t be shy about asking how their gin differs, what botanicals they use, or which bottle they’re most proud of. I once got a recipe for a cucumber garnish from a Scottish distiller and it’s now a hit at every gathering.
• Respect safety and the space. Distilleries are working spaces with hot stills, glass bottles, and sometimes slippery floors. Follow your guide, don’t wander, and leave the climbing to the staff. Expect a quick safety chat at the start—it’s not just rules, it’s common sense.
• Support the little guys. Buying a bottle or some merch is the best way to say thanks, especially at independent or family-run spots. Some craft gin distilleries even let you fill your own bottle or engrave a label while you’re there.

If you’re trying to decide where to go, check out how many tours a distillery actually does each year. The Distilled Spirits Council reported that in 2023, over 2 million people visited distilleries in the UK alone—so the experience you get at a tiny countryside spot versus a big-city name-brand operation can be totally different. Choose what fits your vibe.

Above all, remember to drink responsibly. Some distilleries offer rideshare partnerships or shuttle buses to help you get home safely after all those pours. If you’re going with friends, pick a designated driver or stay nearby—no tour is worth risking your safety.