Gray Whale Gin

Gray Whale Gin. Golden State Distillery, Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California — a small-batch contemporary gin distilled from six botanicals sustainably sourced or wild-harvested along the 12,000-mile migratory path of the California gray whale, from the Baja Peninsula to the Arctic.

Gray Whale Gin was created by Golden State Distillery to tell the story of California's coastline through spirits. Each of the six botanicals is tied to a specific point along the gray whale's annual migration route: California juniper from Big Sur, mint from Santa Cruz, hand-zested limes from Temecula and Baja California, fir tree needles from Sonoma County, wild-harvested kombu sea kelp from the Mendocino coast, and almonds from Capay Valley. The gin is distilled from a six-times-distilled, gluten-free corn base spirit, with lime and fir needles vapor-distilled through a basket while the remaining botanicals are macerated directly in the spirit before distillation.

The result is a gin that genuinely tastes of its terroir: juniper and fir carry pine and evergreen notes, kombu adds earthy umami and a subtle mineral salinity, lime gives bright citrus, mint provides coolness, and almonds round out the palate with creamy sweetness. One percent of Gray Whale Gin profits goes directly to ocean conservation efforts focused on protecting the gray whale's migration. Wine Enthusiast rated it 93 points, and it received a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Fresh citrus leads — lemon and lime with hints of mint and coastal fir and pine. A warming, earthy nuttiness from the almonds emerges as it opens.
• Palate: Faint nuttiness with gentle mint on entry. Pine-forward juniper builds at mid-palate alongside fir needles, lime skins, and citrus pith. A slight sweetness from almonds provides texture and richness. The kombu contributes a subtle mineral, faintly saline quality that keeps the gin savory and grounded.
• Finish: Gently warm with a cooling mint sensation and a faint ocean-breeze salinity. Smooth and slightly creamy, with pine and a touch of pepper trailing off quietly.

Specs

• Distillery: Golden State Distillery, Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California
• Style: Contemporary American Gin
• Base Spirit: Six-times-distilled, gluten-free corn
• Botanicals: California juniper (Big Sur), mint (Santa Cruz), lime (Temecula & Baja California), fir tree needles (Sonoma County), wild kombu sea kelp (Mendocino Coast), almonds (Capay Valley)
• Distillation: Lime and fir vapor-infused; remaining botanicals direct maceration
• ABV: 43% (86 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Gray Whale Gin taste like? Bright citrus and pine on the nose with mint and coastal fir. The palate has pine-forward juniper, lime, mint, creamy almond, and a subtle earthy-saline character from kombu sea kelp. The finish is gently warm with cooling mint and a faint ocean-breeze salinity.
• What is kombu sea kelp and what does it add? Kombu is a wild-harvested edible seaweed from California's Mendocino coast. In Gray Whale Gin, it contributes earthy umami flavors and a subtle mineral salinity that evokes the Pacific Ocean — a savory dimension no other botanical provides.
• How are the botanicals sourced? Each botanical is sustainably sourced or wild-harvested from a specific location along the gray whale's 12,000-mile migration route. Juniper from Big Sur, mint from Santa Cruz, limes from Temecula and Baja, fir from Sonoma, kelp from Mendocino, almonds from Capay Valley.
• What cocktails is Gray Whale Gin best in? A G&T with light tonic, garnished with a lime wheel and fresh mint, best showcases the gin's coastal botanical profile. Also excellent on the rocks, in a Bee's Knees, or a Bramble where citrus and botanicals can interact fully.
• Does Gray Whale Gin support conservation? Yes — one percent of all Gray Whale Gin profits goes to ocean conservation efforts focused on protecting the gray whale's epic migration.