Is Hendricks Considered Top Shelf? Gin Distillery Tour Insights

Walk into any half-decent bar and ask for a top shelf gin—nine times out of ten, Hendricks will be on the list. But what does 'top shelf' mean, really? Is it just about the price, or is there more to the story when it comes to how Hendricks earns its spot?

Bartenders will tell you: top shelf isn’t just a marketing game. It’s about the taste, how it’s made, and the little things that make a bottle stand out when you line it up next to the rest. Hendricks has a reputation for its smooth taste, cucumber notes, and that odd (but charming) black apothecary-style bottle. But is that enough to call it one of the best?

If you’re planning to hit the Hendricks distillery on a tour, you’ll want to know why gin fans rave about their unique process—and what to look for to decide if it really deserves a spot in your home bar. There’s plenty you can spot with your own nose, tongue, and eyes—even if you’re not a gin expert yet.

• What ‘Top Shelf’ Really Means in Gin
• How Hendricks Stands Out
• Touring the Hendricks Distillery
• Tips for Gin Lovers and Distillery Visitors

What ‘Top Shelf’ Really Means in Gin

Let’s clear something up: when people say a gin is “top shelf,” they aren’t just talking about where the bottle sits behind the bar. In the world of premium spirits, top shelf usually means high standards for ingredients, careful distilling, and a flavorsome punch that regular brands just can’t match.

It goes deeper than price. Sure, higher-end brands like Hendricks gin will cost more, but you’re paying for things like small-batch runs and exotic botanicals. Cheap gins often use basic grain spirits and very traditional botanicals. Top shelf gins experiment—think rose petals and cucumber in Hendricks, or yuzu in other craft brands. Bartenders know the difference after just one sip.

There’s an actual checklist some industry folks use if you want to get geeky about it:

• Uses quality neutral spirits—usually wheat, rye, or barley.
• Infused with fresh, unique botanicals (not just the standard juniper).
• Distilled in smaller batches for better control of flavor.
• Often crafted with locally-sourced water or ingredients.
• Packaging that stands out, not just in looks but in protecting flavors from light and heat.

According to Simon Difford, founder of Difford’s Guide, “The best gins show skillful balance and creativity without losing the essential juniper core.”

“A gin earns its ‘top shelf’ status by the way all its elements—aroma, flavor, mouthfeel—fit together. It’s like assembling a great cocktail: you want each part to lift the whole up.”

To give you an idea of how brands stack up, here’s a quick glance at some price ranges for popular gins in the UK (as of March 2025):

It’s not just about the cost, though. Top shelf means you’re getting a gin that was made with care, has a smooth finish, and is memorable—something you’d want to sip straight, not just hide in tonic.

How Hendricks Stands Out

If you want to know why Hendricks gin is called top shelf, it really comes down to how they do things differently from the crowd. First, Hendricks uses two kinds of stills—one old-school pot still and one column still—which isn’t the norm. This blending technique lets them dial in a gin that’s both smooth and stacked with flavor. Most other brands use just one still, so Hendricks is basically doubling up on control and precision.

The cucumber and rose notes are a huge part of what sets Hendricks apart. Most gins hit you hardest with juniper, but Hendricks puts fresh cucumber and Bulgarian rose at the front—so there’s less of that piney taste and more mellow, crisp, almost weirdly refreshing stuff going on. This combo isn’t common, but it’s a big hit with younger drinkers who want something different from gin and tonic night.

Let’s look at a quick comparison of how Hendricks stacks up against some other popular 'premium' gins when it comes to what goes in the bottle:

Another thing: the bottle. Hendricks’ dark glass bottle with a squat shape stands out immediately on any bar. It’s not just for looks; the darker glass helps protect the gin from sunlight, which keeps the taste fresher longer—pretty smart if you’re slow to finish a bottle.

When gin judges stack up different bottles during blind tastings, Hendricks usually lands in the top tier for its balanced taste. It’s been around since 1999, and while that’s newer than some brands, it’s quickly earned a diehard following. Wherever you travel—London, New York, Tokyo—ask for a gin and tonic, and you’ll probably get offered Hendricks as the premium upgrade option.

Touring the Hendricks Distillery

Hendricks distillery tours aren’t your average walk-through. The place is called the Hendrick’s Gin Palace, tucked away in Girvan, Scotland. It opened in 2018 and looks more like a quirky mad scientist’s playground than an old-school factory. If you’re after a deep dive into how Hendricks gin is crafted, you’ll get it—and then some.

As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by giant copper stills with names like 'Bennet' and 'Carter-Head.' That’s not just for show. Hendricks actually blends gin from both stills—a traditional method that other big brands rarely bother with. They add unusual botanicals like Bulgarian rose petals and, of course, cucumber. No other top shelf gin does that, which makes the tour genuinely different.

Expect your guide to clue you in on little details, like how Hendricks distills in small 500-liter batches to control flavor. They even let you sniff and touch some of the botanicals so you know what ends up in the bottle. Don’t skip the tasting room, either. You’ll get to sample several styles and maybe even stumble into a limited edition that isn’t sold everywhere.

• Plan ahead: Tours usually sell out fast, especially weekends. Booking online is the safest bet.
• ID is a must: Scottish law means they’ll actually check your age if you want to taste.
• Pictures: Snapping endless selfies is totally fine in the visitor center, just not around the stills themselves (safety rules).
• Shop smart: The on-site shop carries exclusive bottles and fun merch you won’t find at airports.

If you geek out over gin, the guides know their stuff. Don’t be shy about asking for cocktail tips or food pairings. The tour usually lasts about 90 minutes, but trust me, it goes by fast when you’re sampling premium spirits and hearing insider stories.

Tips for Gin Lovers and Distillery Visitors

If you’re heading out to the Hendricks distillery for a tour, or just hunting for true top shelf gin to enjoy at home, a few tips can save you time and up your game. Here’s what seasoned visitors and bartenders swear by.

• Book early: Hendricks distillery tours fill up way ahead—sometimes months out, especially in summer. Check their calendar online and snag your spot early if you can.
• Don't skip the tastings: The Hendricks team is big on sharing ‘how-to-taste’ tricks, so you actually learn why cucumber and rose hit your nose first. Make the most of these demos—ask questions, taste slow, and pay attention to the subtle notes.
• Check for limited-edition gins: Hendricks drops one-off bottles now and then, and you can sometimes score them only at the distillery shop. Watch for names like "Lunar" or "Neptunia." These usually don’t stick around long.
• Look beyond the bottle: Snap some photos at the quirky gardens and their Victorian-inspired still house. Everything’s built to match their offbeat vibe, so it beats a boring warehouse tour.

Wondering how Hendricks stacks up in the premium spirits world? Take a look at this quick comparison table for a snapshot of tasting notes and price points from some popular Hendricks gin releases versus another big-name gin:

Travel tip: most distillery tours in Scotland (including Hendricks) won’t let you behind the wheel after a tasting. Plan a rideshare or bring a friend who draws the short straw as your driver. And if you buy bottles at the shop, check travel limits for airport security—shipping home might be smarter.

Bottom line—whether you’re after a bottle for your home bar or the stories behind the stills, paying attention to these details makes your distillery trip better and helps you figure out if top shelf gin is worth the label.