Mahón’s 300-Year-Old Tradition

As one of the first gins ever made in the Mediterranean, Mahón has a rich history that dates all the way back to the 18th century. While many people are fascinated by the history behind this iconic spirit and its incredible success that stands the test of time, very few know much behind the tradition the distillery upholds that is nearly 300 years old, is located on the Baleric island of Menorca, and how the gin is graped distillate based. Before you sit back, relax, and enjoy a refreshing Mahón gin and tonic this summer, dive into this tradition with us and learn more about the spirit below.

Authentic and distinctive spirit

Produced in small batches, using centuries’ old wood-fired alembic copper stills and a long-held, secret family recipe, Mahón Gin has become an iconic Mediterranean spirit, and a standard for distinctive world class gin. To this day, Xoriguer is one of the only distilleries in the world to maintain their original craft distilling process, which is a testament to their dedication to keeping their authenticity intact. To make Mahón gin, distillers heat the stills by wood gathered from Menorcan forests. These wood-fired Alembic stills range in age from 70 years to 270 years old with the eldest holding an impressive 700 liters. Additionally, Mahón is the only gin in the world with a DO (designation or Origin) which means that the gin may only be made in Mahon, Menorca.

At Xoriguer, they only bottle an authentic product which is obtained after discarding the gin from the beginning and end of distillation. The remaining product is then extracted with pitchers and the result is a distinctive crisp gin with a hint of the juniper berry’s distinctive essential oils.

Traditional distilling methods that are steeped in history

While Mahón continues to win impressive accolades and gain recognition among the most prestigious spirits publications to date, they have stayed true to their origins and continued to stand out in the industry without modernizing their processes. These methods don’t just refer to the distilling process, but also the traditional bottlings.

The distillers at Xoriguer still use the same distinctive Gin de Mahon bottle from 1750. In the early days, Mahón gin was first sold in stoneware jugs, with a loop later introduced for easier handling. From there, the “caneca” was born, evolving into its present green glass format that is their unmistakable brand symbol.

Miguel Pons named Xoriguer after an old windmill used by his family in their former flour milling business. He chose to put the windmill on the bottle to reflect tradition, quality and dedication shown by all the workers at that old mill and today it is a quick way for gin lovers to easily identify and recognize the brand.

Mahón in the United States 

Mahón Gin is imported to the US by Glass Revolution Imports and is a favorite among spirits enthusiasts across the states. By using all natural ingredients free of additives, wild juniper berries, and a nearly 300-year-old traditional copper still, the flavors in Mahón are unlike any others you’ve come to expect in a traditional gin. To learn more about this amazing gin and find out where you can purchase a bottle near you, click here.