In the age of craft spirits, ordering a gin-based cocktail isn’t as generic as it once was decades ago. Small-batch, freestyle American gins are vying with London dry gin for your attention including New York Distilling Company’s Dorothy Parker gin and the 86 Co.’s Fords Gin. Over at Esquire, Dave Wondrich offers tips for distinguishing between “the ones that will help your cocktail from the ones that will hurt it.” He divides gin into three categories, clarifying their best applications, so you never end up with a potpourri-flavored Martini again. [Esquire] [Photo: Flickr/Noemau]