There has been a recent explosion of gin production around the world, there are now 68 countries distilling this fine spirit, and Greece has joined in with the gin mania, crafting their own brands of this popular herb-infused liquor. Many of us believe that gin originated in the UK as it’s the British who incorporated it solidly into their lives (now the UK produces over 1700 different brands). It was, however, a dutch drink originally, a juniper-infused medicinal spirit named ‘Genever‘. It was also drank by soldiers before battles, and this is how the phrase ‘Dutch courage‘ was coined.
Greeks have been distilling for centuries, the first spirits were reportedly made by monks on Mount Athos in the 14th century and since then their spirits have developed a unique character and quality. The best known is the milky aniseed infused ouzo, but tsipouro and raki (pure grape distillates), made all over Greece, can be (and are) infused with various herbs and resins like clove or mastic. So it’s quite a natural evolution for some distilleries to start venturing out into the world of gin.
There are loosely four recognised gin types ‘London Dry’, ‘Plymouth’, ‘Old Tom’ and ‘Genever‘. All of the Greek gins fall in the first category, ‘London Dry’ and have managed to distinguish themselves at international competitions. The curators of these ‘new’ gins surpass the narrow limits of traditional recipes and produce unique gins giving them their own independent character using mainly local flora.
Asked about the new wave of Greek gin production Lila Dimopoulou, founder of Grace Gin, said “The better ones (distillers) will focus on the nature of Greece using local botanicals and ingredients. After all Greek nature is the best laboratory for exploring and developing flavours.”
Old Sport / Callicounis Craft Distillery
Old Sport is a London Dry Gin produced by the Callicounis distillery in Kalamata. Silver medal at the International Wines & Spirits Competition (2016) in London. Triple distilled to infuse layers of herbs that lead to a characteristic flavour set. This Handcrafted gin remains mild despite its complexity. Both citrussy and earthy, bouncy yet clean. Old Sport strikes a subtle balance between sweet mastic resin, wild juniper berries, citrus peels, angelica licorice and orris root, cardamom and coriander seeds and cinnamon.
Best Drunk: Neat, Gin and Tonic, Negroni, Martini. You will find Old Sport in selected liquor stores, the best Greek bars and from the distillery’s e-shop (https://callicounisshop.gr) 42% alcohol
Grace Gin / Avantes Distillery
This is a London Dry Gin from the Avantes distillery in Chalkida (the capital of Evia island). Gold Award at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, “Spirits Selection” one of multiple international awards received. Grace Gin infuses herbs found in the wild Greek countryside. It has the dominant aroma of juniper combined with sea fennel and mastic. Pepper, cinnamon and myrtle flowers enhance its complex, rich aromatic palate.
Best Drunk: Negroni, Gin and Tonic, Martini. The gin is available at selected liquor stores, Greek bars in the know and from the company’s website (www.avantesdistillery.gr) 45.7% alcohol
Mataroa, Mataroa Pink & Mataroa Mediterranean Gin Limited Edition / Melissanidi Distillery
Mataroa is a London Dry Gin from the Melissanidi distillery is based in Aridaia, Macedonia. Infused with 12 uniquely Mediterranean ingredients from throughout the region, one can recognize aromas from French lavender, Italian iris root and Morrocan Mandarin. Mataroa was the name of the New Zealand flagged ship that transported children and students, fleeing persecution, to various safe havens around the Mediterranean at the end of the 2nd WW. The name and the bottle design are to honour two such trips. 41.5% alcohol
The makeup of Mataroa Pink gin is based on the company’s primary recipe, but it is also infused with Greek pomegranate and Egyptian hibiscus. Even though it is slightly lighter, Mataroa Pink retains a rich and dynamic flavour. 38% alcohol
Mataroa Mediterranean is a limited edition gin that contains fruits and herbs taking you on a courageous journey from sweet to sour, balsamic to citrus, as it’s infused with chamomile from Cyprus and mastic from Greece combined with the freshwater that springs from Kaimaktsalan mountain.
Best Drunk: Neat, Bramble, Gin and Tonic. You can get the spirits from selected liquor stores, the best Greek bars and the company’s website (https://melissanidi.gr) 41.5% alcohol
Dry River / Hariskos Spirits
The Dry London Gin, Dry River is a limited edition spirit produced in Drama by Hariskos Spirits. The main ingredient of the distillate is the native wild juniper of the Xiropotamos valley (dry valley) of Drama, combined with local herbs and is distilled numerous times in copper stills giving it a lovely light bitter herbal aroma. You can find it at a few select cocktail bars or at the company’s website (www.greek-spirits.com) 43% alcohol
GIN.GR / Hariskos Spirits
Plus one gin from Hariskos Spirits, that is also made infusing local herbs from Drama’s nature, giving a complex character with . The piney wild juniper stands out complemented by notes of fresh lemon.
Best Drunk: An assortment of cocktails. You can find it at a few select cocktail bars or at the company’s website (www.greek-spirits.com) 37.6% alcohol
Stray Dog / Stray Dog Wild Gin
The London Dry Stray Dog Gin is produced and bottled in Aridea, Northern Greece. Best Contemporary Greek Gin at the World Gin Awards (2020). The distillery was set up by second-generation Greek-American Jonny Liavanos, who wanted to capture the essence of Greek flavours in a bottle. The recipe contains 10 Greek herbs, including wild forest juniper berries, sage, laurel, fennel, mastic, etc. The name of this drink has a deeper meaning as Livanos is an animal activist and donates part of the profits to shelters for stray animals in Greece.
Best Drunk: Neat, Dirty Martini, Gin and Tonic. Can be found in a few select bars and at the company’s website (https://straydoggin.com) 43.5% alcohol
Gin From The Ground Up: Votanikon Gin / Votanikon
Votanikon is a London Dry Gin infused with 20 of the most famous herbs from all over Greece, such as juniper berries from Macedonia, mountain tea from Mt. Olympus, basil and dictamom from Crete, sage from the Cyclades and saffron from Kozani. These combine to give an explosive and rich aroma that manages to stay soft on the palate.
Best Drunk: Neat, Negroni, Martini. Can be found in a select few bars and at the company’s website (https://www.votanikon.com) 40% alcohol
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