In the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, after rigorous blind tastings and close comparison, Lighthouse Gin rose to the top as Best Gin. Its aromatic complexity, balanced palate, and enduring finish outshone two formidable finalists: Devil’s Grin and Tanqueray No. TEN. Below you’ll find a breakdown of each finalist’s profile, deeper context on the brands, and what makes Lighthouse Gin deserving of the title.

Devil’s Grin Gin impressed the judges with its bold complexity and depth. Handcrafted in small batches using fourteen botanicals sourced both locally in Texas and globally, Devil’s Grin showcases a distiller’s artistry in layering flavor over several days of timed botanical infusion. Distilled from a corn base and cut with reclaimed rainwater, this gin carries both sustainability and craftsmanship in its DNA.

With its layered personality, Devil’s Grin works equally well in a gin and tonic, where citrus and pine shine through, or in more contemplative cocktails that bring out its darker spice and tea-like qualities. It is a bold Texas original that proudly earned its place among the finalists.

Few names in the gin world carry as much global recognition as Tanqueray, and its flagship premium expression, Tanqueray No. TEN, once again proved why it is revered by bartenders and gin enthusiasts alike. Known for its use of whole citrus fruits—grapefruit, orange, and lime—alongside classic botanicals like juniper and coriander, No. TEN offers a brightness and clarity that has set it apart since its release.

Consistently praised for its versatility, Tanqueray No. TEN shines in a martini, where its clean citrus and floral layers come forward, but also holds its ground in complex cocktails like the Negroni. Its recognition as a finalist underscores both the enduring quality of a global giant and the competition’s commitment to celebrating excellence regardless of size.

When it came time to crown the Best Gin, Lighthouse Gin captured the judges’ attention with its expressive aromatics and a palate that managed to be both bold and beautifully balanced. Produced on the wild coast of Cape Palliser, Lighthouse Gin is distilled in small batches using pure spring water from the Remutaka Range and nine carefully selected botanicals, including hand-zested Yen Ben lemons that give the spirit its signature citrus brightness. 

This layered profile reflects the meticulous approach that Lighthouse has taken since its founding in 2005, balancing a strong juniper core with global botanicals that evoke both freshness and depth. The result is a gin that can be enjoyed neat, as a crisp martini, or as the foundation for inventive cocktails that highlight its citrus and spice structure.

The 2025 New York World Spirits Competition showcased the remarkable diversity within the gin category. From Devil’s Grin’s bold Texan character to the timeless refinement of Tanqueray No. TEN, and ultimately the coastal clarity and elegance of Lighthouse Gin, the finalists reflected the global artistry of distillers working at the top of their craft.

Congratulations to Lighthouse Gin—the Best Gin of the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition.