History, Biodiversity & Artisans Set Mahón Gin Apart

There is an enormous selection of gins to choose from. So where is a gin-drinker to start? It is very important to choose gin brands that use high quality raw ingredients and established distilling techniques. What might be even more valuable is a gin’s rarity. How special a drink tastes, smells, and feels is what sets it apart from other brands. The texture, the aroma, and the subtle notes of underlying flavor will determine the experience the spirit renders. The quest for rare gin brands is not always easy, but we have definitely found a rare gem in Xoriguer, the Distiller of Mahón Gin. Xoriguer is pronounced - “sho-ri-gair”.

Uniquely Historic

Mahón Gin is distilled in the port town of Mahón on the Spanish Balearic island of Menorca, a one hour flight off the coast of Barcelona. The Distillery is the white building located on the seawall.  The windmill on the label has belonged to the owners, the Pons family, since the 18th century. Menorca’s stunning and pristine coastline is designated a UNESCO Biosphere reserve, an internationally designated protected area that demonstrates a balanced relationship between people and nature.

The legendary port city of Mahon was named after the brother of Hannibal, the ruthless Ancient Carthaginian General who lived from 247-183 BCE. In the early 1700's, the British Navy was stationed in the deep water port found in Mahón. The sailors wanted their native spirit, gin, and so began the long tradition of distilling London Dry style gin on the island of Menorca. 

Mahón Gin is produced at Xoriguer Distillery in wood-fired alembic copper stills. These historic stills have been used for over  70, 125, and one for even 270 years! Very little has changed. The production still operates in the same harbor front distillery rebuilt in 1910 by Miguel Pons on the foundations of the original distillery that was destroyed by fire. 

True Distilling Artisans

Production in small batches in the historic stills defines Mahón Gin as an authentic small batch distiller. The high quality, durable wood-fired copper stills are a testament to the care the original founders put into the distillery. The magic lies mostly within the hands of the distillers, not the machines. The whole process is very personal rather than mechanical, and the patience and precision produced by the touch of a human hand makes all the difference. 

While the British introduced gin to the area, the artisan traditions were influenced by Mediterranean cultures of the Phonenicians, Romans, Moors and Spanish. The people are true artisans of distilling and have passed their knowledge from generation to generation while keeping an open mind to innovation. 

Instilled in every drop of Mahón Gin is a rich, meaningful history. This makes Mahón Gin a truly rare gin brand, prospering for over a hundred years. Today, Mahón Gin's legacy continues as one of the two remaining gin DOs (Designation of Origins) in the world. 

The Island’s Biodiversity Produces Pure Ingredients

Mahón Gin from Xoriguer is the Mediterranean original, integral to the history of the western Mediterranean. The island of Menorca in Baleares, Spain is a breathtaking island full of biodiversity and nature within the Unesco Biosphere Preserve.  

Juniper berries are sourced from the foot-hills of the Pyrenees Mountains that border Spain and France. A main ingredient in gin, the Juniper berries are aged openly in crates for approximately 3 years. The salty sea air breeze wafts through the open distillery windows helping in the unique aging process. This is what gives Mahón Gin its smooth, dry quality.  The juniper berries are hand-sorted so that only the highest quality berries make it into the mix. 

Mahón Gin also uses a unique base spirit made from Xarel-lo and Parellada grape distillate from Penedes, a charming wine growing region famous for its quaint villages, scenic mountain views, and wineries. Since the distillate is made from grapes rather than grain (which is the more common ingredient), the final product is smooth as well as gluten-free. 

The Gin is made following the one-shot method, with local firewood used for fuel. The alcohol and water, juniper berries, and other special ingredients are placed in the copper alembic stills and heated. Unlike most gins, which are distilled in a concentrated form and then diluted with water for bottling, Xoriguer is distilled with such care that it emerges from the still ready to be tasted, at its final strength of 41% alcohol specially produced for the USA. Xoriguer follows a rigorous distillation process that creates a uniquely rounded taste.

Mahón’s Signature Bottling

In true Spanish spirit, Mahón Gin is packaged in a distinct bottle shape unlike any other brand. The bottle has a small handle towards the top to resemble a traditional Spanish “caneca”, or mug. This way of containing the product, along with the distillation process, is another way in which Mahón Gin honors Spanish tradition. 

Not only does the bottle shape honor its roots, but it also serves to immediately distinguish Mahón Gin from other gin brands. Its signature bottling is a clever, iconic, and charming way to contain such a fine, unique spirit.  

A Truly Artisanal Gin Brand

The artisanal recipe for Mahón Gin has changed very little over the years. When something is so pure, there is no need to tamper with it. That is why Xoriguer Distillery  has remained true to the authentic ways of the original distillers. The results produced by this authentic small-batch distiller make Mahón Gin one of the best rare gin brands out there. A gin crafted by artisans with a recipe molded by history is sure to give a special experience to any gin-lover in search for something unique.