Gin Mare

Gin Mare. Destil·leries de Catalunya, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain — the definitive Mediterranean gin, distilled in a converted 18th-century chapel with Arbequina olives, rosemary, thyme, and basil sourced from four different Mediterranean countries.

Gin Mare was created in 2007 by Marc and Manuel Giró — grandsons of the founder of GinMG, a celebrated Spanish gin brand established in 1940 — at a converted 18th-century chapel in the small fishing village of Vilanova i la Geltrú on the Costa Daurada. The production is meticulous: nine botanicals are macerated and distilled entirely separately in a custom-built Florentine flask still with 250-liter batches. The citrus botanicals — Spanish orange peels (two varieties: sweet Valencia and bitter Seville), locally grown lemon peel, and bergamot — macerate for 40 days before distillation. The remaining botanicals macerate for just 12 hours. All batches are then blended to create the final gin, which earns the notation "Colección de Autor" on each bottle.

The four principal botanicals that define Gin Mare's character are each sourced from a specific Mediterranean country: Arbequina olives from Catalonia, Spain; rosemary from Greece; thyme from Turkey; and basil from Italy. The Arbequina olive is the only variety in the world with Protected Denomination of Origin status, and its acidity changes seasonally — meaning no two years of Gin Mare are identical. The result is the most savory, food-friendly gin in the world, exceptional in a Martini or alongside seafood and Mediterranean cuisine.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Deep and herbaceous — rosemary opens prominently with black olive, subtle tangy marine notes, lemon peel, and a background of juniper and anise. Fragrant and aromatic without being sharp.
• Palate: Rich and full-flavored. Juniper and coriander lead before giving way to rosemary, basil, and thyme. Olive is present throughout, adding a saline, savory dimension unique to this gin. Spicy, peppery note builds toward the end.
• Finish: Long and lingering — olive and thyme persist with soft anise and a touch of lemon peel. Savoury and refreshing.

Specs

• Distillery: Destil·leries de Catalunya, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Catalonia, Spain
• Style: Mediterranean Dry Gin
• Botanicals: Juniper, Arbequina olives (Catalonia), rosemary (Greece), thyme (Turkey), basil (Italy), coriander, cardamom, orange peel (two varieties), lemon peel
• ABV: 42.7% (85.4 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Gin Mare taste like? Deeply herbaceous and savory — rosemary, black olive, and lemon peel on the nose. The palate is full-flavored with juniper, coriander, rosemary, basil, thyme, and a distinctive olive-driven salinity throughout. The finish is long with lingering thyme and anise.
• What makes Gin Mare unique? Gin Mare is the only major gin to use Arbequina olives as a primary botanical — the only olive variety with Protected Denomination of Origin status. Each of the four principal botanical herbs is sourced from a different Mediterranean country, and the citrus macerates for 40 days before distillation.
• What botanicals are in Gin Mare? Nine botanicals: juniper, Arbequina olives (Spain), rosemary (Greece), thyme (Turkey), basil (Italy), coriander, cardamom, orange peel (two varieties), and lemon peel. Each is macerated and distilled separately before blending.
• What cocktails is Gin Mare best in? Outstanding in a dry Martini, where its savory complexity shines without vermouth to compete. Also exceptional in a G&T garnished with a sprig of rosemary and a green olive. Pairs superbly with seafood, charcuterie, and Mediterranean cuisine.
• Where is Gin Mare distilled? In a converted 18th-century chapel in Vilanova i la Geltrú, a small fishing village on the Costa Daurada in Catalonia, Spain.