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Xoriguer Gin Factory

Top ways to experience Xoriguer Gin Factory and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Xoriguer Gin Factory - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.18 km) Can Alberti 1740 Boutique Hotel
• (0.23 km) Sindic Hotel
• (0.16 km) Agroturismo Can Pere Sord
• (0.18 km) CASA IRIA CASCO HISTORICO MAO
• (0.22 km) Catalonia Mirador des Port
• (0.23 km) Can Xavi
• (0.21 km) Akelarre Jazz & Dance Club
• (0.16 km) Sa Colársega
• (0.30 km) Arjau
• (0.08 km) Antesala-Lobby Bar

This Menorca Gin Distillery Will Change Your Mind About Spain

May 23, 2023

A trip to a Menorca gin distillery in Mahon reveals a surprising story behind the popular drink. Here’s what you need to know.

Table of Contents

Why You Should Visit This Menorca Gin Distillery

The Xoriguer gin distillery overlooks the edge of the harbour that brought the drink to its shores. It showcases bronze pipes that reach up and around and down in the distillery process and offers juniper berries you can hold in your hand (it’s those berries that give the drink both its name and flavour.)

Xoriguer gin uses a grape based spirit infused with juniper berries and a secret, aromatic blend of herbs and “floral botanicals.”

And at the end, after tasting the infamous Mahon Xoriguer gin, you can find new flavours – ranging from chocolate to peppermint to turpentine.

And if you close your eyes (under the influence of said gin) I’ll swear you can taste the flavour of history.

What history is that? Well, let me explain.

Fun facts about the Xoriguer Menorca Gin Distillery

Xoriguer takes its name from a windmill built in 1784 (you can still see the picture on the label.) Senor Miguel Pons Justo started the brand in the 1900s, naming it after the mill that used to grind wheat for his family.

Why Gin is Important in Menorca

Menorca threw several surprises my way when I visited. Wild flowers, with fields of poppies, violets and periwinkles all dancing like hippies in the sun. Bronze age settlements and olive oil-soaked cheese, made from milk gathered fresh that morning.

With Spain, I’d expected tortilla and wine, sunshine and fiestas. And for that, the island did not disappoint.

But most of all, Menorca surprised me with gin.

It wasn’t just that I’d expected more cerveza, rioja and fino sherry, for example.

Nor was it discovering the word “ginlet,” a thimbleful of the neat gin that kickstarts the day for Menorcan men the old fashioned way.

No, it was a combination of the island’s pride and the trip down the rabbit hole of history that truly took me by surprise.

For one, who knew that gin was invented by the Dutch? (And since I had no idea who had invented it, why should any answer surprise me?)

The History of Gin in Britain

Gin spread to Britain through William and Mary of Orange and apparently British soldiers sipped it on the eve of battle at Antwerp, leading to the phrase  “dutch courage.”

In tropical regions, colonial Brits found that the “tonic” for malaria (bitter quinine with carbonated water) tasted far better with a hefty splash of gin.

Meanwhile, back in Blighty, gin became the drink of the poor, due to strange tax laws leading to “gin joints” and “mother’s ruin” as the phrases we know today. Heck, there were even riots when the government attempted to reign in the gin.

But what does all of this have to do with visiting a gin distillery in Menorca?

As the proud owner of the largest natural harbour in Europe, Menorca made a great base. And the British Naval Fleet moved in…bringing with them the habit of gin.

The History of Gin in Menorca

Lord Nelson’s long since gone but, as is often the case with these curious tales of forced cultural exchange, the culture remains.

Menorca, unlike much of the rest of Spain, prides itself on gin.

But, of course, it’s gin with a Menorcan twist. 

Pomada: the Menorcan way to drink gin

Try a pomada, an island drink made from Menorcan gin and cloudy lemonade.

How to visit the Xoriguer Gin Distillery

It’s an easy walk from Mahon’s port to the gin distillery, where you can taste and buy Menorcan gin in more flavours than you can imagine. It’s a modest affair, not the razzamatazz of, say, the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.You’ll need only one to two hours. And a fully lined stomach…

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4 thoughts on “This Menorca Gin Distillery Will Change Your Mind About Spain”

Never knew that Menorca was known for its Gin. The cloudy lemonade looks like it can be refreshing on a hot day.

Glad to surprise someone else then ;-)

You had me at Gin. Now Menorca is on my hit list. Thanks Abi, I love your writing :)

Mwaha! And thank you ;-) Menorca was a beautiful surprise – highly recommended.

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Xoriguer Gin Factory

Top ways to experience Xoriguer Gin Factory and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Xoriguer Gin Factory - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• (0.18 km) Can Alberti 1740 Boutique Hotel
• (0.23 km) Sindic Hotel
• (0.16 km) Agroturismo Can Pere Sord
• (0.18 km) CASA IRIA CASCO HISTORICO MAO
• (0.22 km) Catalonia Mirador des Port
• (0.23 km) Can Xavi
• (0.21 km) Akelarre Jazz & Dance Club
• (0.16 km) Sa Colársega
• (0.30 km) Arjau
• (0.08 km) Antesala-Lobby Bar

Auténtica tradición embotellada

Menorca, británicos, oficiales, marineros, artesanos, agua de pozo, bayas de enebro, alcohol, ‘pomada’ o gin amb llimonada, cóctel, mundo…

Como si de botánicos se tratase, éstos serían los ingredientes en la destilación de la historia del gin de Mahón, probablemente el primer gin que se elaboró en el Mediterráneo.

Dirección Andén de Poniente, 91 – 07701 Mahón

Horarios De mayo a octubre, de lunes a viernes, de 9:30 a 18:30 horas y sábados de 10 a 14:00 horas. De noviembre a abril, cerrado

Tel. 971 362 197 Fax 971 354 559 xoriguer @ xoriguer .es

Exportación: export@ xoriguer .es

Dirección Plaza del Carmen, 17 – 07702 Mahón

Horarios Verano: de lunes a sábado, de 10 a 20:30 horas, y sábados de 10 a 14 horas y de 18 a 20 horas. Invierno: de lunes a viernes, de 10 a 13:30 y de 17 a 20 horas, y sábados de 10 a 14 horas.

Tel. 971 362 611 Fax 971 354 559

Tienda online: botigaxoriguer.com

Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional Miguel Pons Justo, S.A. en el Marco del Programa ICEX Next ha contado con el apoyo del ICEX y con la cofinanciación del fondo europeo FEDER. La finalidad de este apoyo es contribuir al desarrollo Internacional de la empresa y de su entorno. Una manera de hacer Europa

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WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF MAHÓN GIN FROM XORIGUER.

USING THE SAME CENTURIES OLD RECIPE, OUR GIN SINGS OF OUR BREATHTAKING ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIED WAY OF LIFE.

A STANDARD FOR WORLD-CLASS CRAFT GIN, WE ARE PROUD TO ACCOMPANY OUR ICONIC SPIRIT IN ITS NEW JOURNEY…

Xoriguer Mahón Gin

Flavor Profile

As of 2016, Xoriguer Mahón Gin still qualifies for protection as a gin with a geographical indication under European Union Regulation No 110/2008 . Famously, you might remember Plymouth Gin formerly qualified for this as well; however, under the terms of the 2008 regulation, trademark owners had to produce and publicly distribute a technical file which would disclose “what makes this spirit unique.” Plymouth, and Plymouth trademark owners Pernod Ricard, saw the value in the process rather than the GI, and decided to rather than disclose the details of what makes Plymouth so unique, they opted to forgo the Geographical Indication. On the other hand, the GI was so important to La Isla De Menroce, that they did indeed file a technical summary which describes the process in keen detail. Under the terms of the 2008 law, the E.U. approved the technical file and Gin de Mahón is still protected.

So what is Gin de Mahón?

There are three prescribed ingredients: ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin,  juniperis communis berries with essential oil by weight content ranging between 7 and 9%, and distilled drinking water. No additional aromas or extracts may be added.

The process might be where the unique process angle arises. Gin de Mahón is distilled in copper pot stills set over a wood fire with the juniper berries in the pot still. The final product of the distillations are then filtered.

The story behind the GI is that the Island of Menorca, was a port of call for British soldiers, who would often stay and frequent the local drinking establishments. Rather than import the booze that might appeal to their guests, the people of the island made their own, creating an economic benefit for the locals owing to their out of town guests. The gin apparently was a hit and worked its way into even local cultural events.

Perhaps what I found so striking about the technical file is that it did not mention that the base spirit  must be distilled from grapes. As for the genesis story, the style arose from the grapes which were grown locally. In fact, Xoriguer Mahón Gin is distilled from grapes; however, this curiosity, which would have clearly set apart this gin as being quite unique over the past few centuries in which it has been made (and the grape base is often cited as part of what defines the style), is not actually part of the GI. Just plain old agricultural alcohol, which suggests that grape, potato, sugar beet, wheat, etc. You name it. That’s not what’s special as much as the the direct wood fired heat on the copper still.

A note in GI vs. Style

Although clearly a historically and geographically protected designation, I don’t think that is rises up to to the level of being called it’s own  style.  While Gin de Mahón may fairly refer to an important cultural and quality protection designation, objectively, I find it hard to say “this tastes like its own thing.” [I also levy this same critique of people who suggested that Plymouth was a style rather than a quality/cultural designation]

While the name Gin de Mahón should connotate warm images of wood fired copper stills on a beautiful Balearic island, it doesn’t necessarily connote a spirit which tastes a certain way. The dearth of ingredient, base spirit, and wholly unique process elements means that geography aside, there are other distilleries doing something quite similar around the world. So we won’t treat it as if its a style unto itself. We’ll evaluate the gin as a gin, that just happens to have a long and illustrious history.

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 of Xoriguer Mahón Gin 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.

One of the intriguing ways to drink this Mahón Gin, which as I’ve read may be a the closest to how it is best enjoyed in Menorca, which is mixed in a 2:1 ratio with Lemonade . The spirit is nicely moderated and brightened with the sweetness and citrus. I definitely recommend this drink, which I think even suggests that you could pack this gin in a cooler for the beach. It’s also good, but heavy on the pine resin in a  Gin and Tonic . I think it had some interesting character that it brought in some mixed drinks like the  Aviation  and  Last Word , but I enjoyed it perhaps most of all in the  Gin and Juice style.

Overall, Mahón Gin is a lovely juniper forward gin that will delight those who have been looking for some more juniper in their life. Fans of more contemporary style gins, may want to look elsewhere.

Leave a Comment

7 thoughts on “xoriguer mahón gin”.

Nice and very fair, observant review of Mahon. You nailed it.

This is at least a Four Star gin. A unique, spicy classic gin. Highly recommended if you can find it.

Had I been a Brit in Menorca, I’d have continued to import my Plymouth….

It has strong celery note, and nice herbs. I like it!

Enjoy with bitter lemon lemonade ratio 2 – 1 with plenty of ice and a good squeeze of fresh lime juice

My favourite for a Gin Sour – somehow there’s enough overlap with the lemon notes to build a nice aroma bridge, and it adds a clear juniper profile. Very much recommended.

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Factory tour - Xoriguer Gin Factory

• Europe    
• Spain    
• Balearic Islands    
• Menorca    
• Mahon    
• Mahon - Things to Do    
• Xoriguer Gin Factory

Factory tour

This is an excellent factory tour sorry I couldn't spell distillery, which is a view through windows, the Gin and sampling that is allowed makes this an excellent shop to buy the Gin but who cares the Gin far out ways any disappointments you may have with the tour.

Went on an organised excursion to Mahon which included a visit to the Xorigure gin distillery. Understood to be a guided tour with commentary & tasting, then ability to purchase in the gift shop. Disappointed as no tour, no commentary, a crushed 'free for all' as people shoving to grab glasses to taste the gins, then very poor stock levels so unable to buy the ones we liked. More groups coming in as we tried to get out. Tour guide embarrassed with good reason.

Small shot glasses are supplied so you can sample all the different flavours, we bought our favourites and the price was reasonable. We had a great visit.

Being a regular visitor to menorca , and being a huge fan xorigeur gin , this was a visit we Kept promising we would do this visit , and we were glad we did . It’s free to visit and you can try many of the different gins and licquers free of charge . All are available to purchase as are other items such as gin glasses and stand date available. You can watch the workers tend the stills , but it would be even better if you could se the whole process. 30 minutes or so is all you need so we combine it with a harbour trip on the yellow catamaran

Great little gin store with samples galore. Would be good to have a little tour of the factory or at least a tour about the gins but worth going nonetheless,

As a bit of a gin lover we visited Mahon in sept this year and found this little place to visit. These guys actually manufacture gin and have a shop full of the stuff. There is plenty of choice of flavours and you can pretty much try as many samples as you like. Also from the shop windows you can get a glimpse into the factory to the process they go through to make a great gin.

Xoriguer Mahón Gin Review

A gem of a gin

This gin hails from the Spanish island of Menorca, where it's made to very specific, archaic practices. The wood-fired alembic stills for distillation range in age from 70 to 270 years old. Meanwhile, the juniper that gives the gin its signature profile is aged for 1 to 4 years in open crates at the distillery, ensuring lengthy contact with salty air. These details combine to provide a gin with a standout, distinctive character. It pops with citrus, prickles with pepper, and serves a subtle salty spray on the palate. Serve in an equal parts Martini with sherry. Garnish with both a twist and olive.

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Xoriguer Gin Factory

Top ways to experience Xoriguer Gin Factory and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Xoriguer Gin Factory - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.18 km) Can Alberti 1740 Boutique Hotel
• (0.23 km) Sindic Hotel
• (0.16 km) Agroturismo Can Pere Sord
• (0.18 km) CASA IRIA CASCO HISTORICO MAO
• (0.22 km) Catalonia Mirador des Port
• (0.23 km) Can Xavi
• (0.21 km) Akelarre Jazz & Dance Club
• (0.16 km) Sa Colársega
• (0.30 km) Arjau
• (0.08 km) Antesala-Lobby Bar

Xoriguer Gin Factory

Top ways to experience Xoriguer Gin Factory and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

XORIGUER GIN FACTORY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (0.18 km) Can Alberti 1740 Boutique Hotel
• (0.23 km) Sindic Hotel
• (0.16 km) Agroturismo Can Pere Sord
• (0.18 km) CASA IRIA CASCO HISTORICO MAO
• (0.22 km) Catalonia Mirador des Port
• (0.23 km) Can Xavi
• (0.21 km) Akelarre Jazz & Dance Club
• (0.16 km) Sa Colársega
• (0.30 km) Arjau
• (0.08 km) Antesala-Lobby Bar

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This Unique Gin Is EU Protected and Made From Grapes, and You Need to Try It

By Susan H. Gordon

The city of Mahón, capital of the Spanish Island of Menorca—and, according to many, the birthplace of mayonnaise (think: salsa Mahonesa)—is the only place Mahón gin , a particularly unusual, EU-protected-status spirit, can be crafted. Along with England’s Plymouth and Lithuania’s Vilnius, this gin is one of only three with an official geographical indication—and boasts the additional distinction of being made from fermented grapes, unlike the rest of its grains-based ilk. With roots that stretch back to the 18th-century gin-loving British occupation of the island, these days Menorca’s cypress-y Juniperus communis–flavored distillation is produced solely by Xoriguer, which creates the spirit in wood-fired copper stills and infuses it with Mediterranean juniper berries along with other secret botanicals.

Pamela Witznitzer —creative director of the new Upper East Side cocktail destination Seamstress named in homage to the occupation of owner **Josh Mazza'**s grandmother and to uptown's early days as the silk stocking district—says of Xoriguer's effort: “It has really bright citrus notes that let the juniper shine. With the grape base, I wanted to construct a drink that would let the strongest components [grape, lemon, floral] of the gin really come through.” And so she did. Here is Wiznitzer’s lively celebration of the Spanish gin, in a recipe she composed exclusively for Vogue.com.

1 1/2 oz. Xoriguer gin 3/4 oz. dry vermouth 1/2 oz. Suze liqueur 3/4 oz. lemon juice 1/2 oz. simple syrup 3 dashes orange bitters 6 green grapes

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the grapes and then add the rest of the ingredients. Shake vigorously and then fine-strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with more green grapes on a skewer.

Vogue Daily

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