A cult gin from Mahon in Menorca, Xoriguer (pronounced sho-ri-gair) is one of the only gins in the world alongside Plymouth to have a geographical indication, Gin de Menorca. It was first made for the British Sailors who were stationed on the Island between 1708 and 1802, who were hankering for some gin.
Xoriguer is still made in the same way, according to the 18th century recipe, commanding a devoted following of happy travellers. Gin Xoriguer is the result of a distillation in traditional copper stills, using high quality wine alcohol (eau-de-vie) and carefully selected juniper berries, which come from the neighbouring Mediterranean mountains, together with aromatic herbs. These herbs are the guarded secret of Xoriguer gin’s original bouquet. Only the Pons family know the identity and proportion of this valuable ingredient, which is added behind closed doors and without witnesses, at the start of each distilling. The respect for tradition is such that the fuel still used today in the distillation is wood.
Style
Dry Gin
Key Botanicals
Undeclared botanicals but at a guess; Juniper, coriander seed, cumin seed, aniseed, bay leaf, lavender.
Tasting Notes
Lots of juniper on the nose, with some camphorous and herbaceous notes suggesting pine resin and rich, oily juniper berries as well. The nose is largely one note by my assessment, though it does an excellent job at capturing a really rich portrait of that one note. Heady and juniper-forward.
The palate is thick and luscious, with copious amounts of pine and juniper again. Spruce, an some faint intimations of lemon zest behind the scenes, with sage, juniper needle and pine. The finish is long with juniper. It’s dry with conifer in the rain sort of notes, with a pleasant ensuring warmth.
Perfect Serve
Fantastic served with lemonade! Premium tonic garnished with fresh lemon.
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