When is a gin not a gin??

It's all to do with the distillation. Gin has a lot more than juniper in it.

I don’t know Katek I stick to Gordons but the blue sapphire is supposed to be good as well.
I was going to answer your OP with ‘ when it’s too swamped with tonic’ ??

Our niece works in the distillery business. Apparently most "gin" makers buy in the ethanol rather than distil it and simply add the flavouring, put it in a swish bottle and charge an arm and a leg for it.

My daughter and her fiance are gin aficionados. .
They have a gin collection of over 30 different types and are always on the lookout for new flavours.
They have even made their own gins on a gin course.
They still taste like gin, not sweet alcoholic drinks, the flavours are quite subtle. It's to do with the botanicals which are added.
I was always a Bombaby Sapphire girl, but some of the new gins are lovely and the type of tonic you use also affects the taste.