🥃 Gin de Mahón

Gin de Mahón is the juniper spirit of the Spanish island of Menorca, and it has its own EU protected geographical indication. It is made by a single distillation of spirit of agricultural origin with juniper berries, in copper stills heated over an open wood fire. Its strength is between 38 and 43% ABV. Despite the word «gin» in the name, it is not classed as gin.

History. According to the technical file, the drink appeared while Menorca was under British rule (1712–1802): British soldiers lacked gin, so merchants in Maó began importing juniper and spirit, and craftsmen began building stills. The first recipe is recorded between 1790 and 1810. At the start of the 20th century Miguel Pons Justo founded the Xoriguer distillery, which still operates and filed the application to protect the name.

Rules. Juniper berries (Juniperus communis) with an essential oil content of 7–9 ‰ must dry at room temperature for at least a year, and then macerate for at least 10 hours. At least 10% of the spirit must be of wine origin. Only the «heart» of the distillation is taken; additives, flavourings and extracts are forbidden. The raw materials may come from anywhere, but distillation must take place on Menorca.

Traditions. On the island gin is drunk in small glasses with ice, and at summer festivals as «pomada» with lemonade. «Pelofa» is gin with soda water, ice and a lemon peel. The traditional container is the ceramic bottle, and the Museum of Menorca keeps old examples. According to Menorca.info, 327,819 litres were produced in 2016, a quarter of which went to other EU countries.

Why it matters to you. The name may only be used for a drink from Menorca in glass or ceramic containers of up to 3 litres, and the words «Gin de Mahón» must be at least 3 mm high. Under EU classification this is a juniper-flavoured spirit drink (category 19), not gin (category 20), although the word «gin» is in the name. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.