Gray Whale Gin is a small-batch California gin made with six botanicals sustainably sourced or wild harvested along the gray whale's 12,000-mile migration route, bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV) in a 1-liter bottle.
Founders Jan and Marsh Mokhtari dreamed it up on a camping trip to Big Sur, when they looked past McWay Falls and saw a gray whale and her calf on their own road trip north, a journey gray whales have made for more than 30 million years. Each botanical marks a point on that route: juniper from Big Sur, mint from Santa Cruz, hand-zested limes from Temecula and Baja California, fir needles from Sonoma, almonds from the Capay Valley and kombu sea kelp from the Mendocino coast. Made at Golden State Distillery in Sebastopol, it starts from a six-times-distilled, gluten-free corn spirit; the lime and fir are vapor infused while the rest are macerated in the spirit.
Bright citrus and pine lead the nose with mint and coastal fir; lime zest and herbaceous pine segue into a minty, slightly mineral, sea-salt lift from the kelp, finishing gently warm.
The ocean-blue whale-tail bottle makes it a striking gift.
Botanicals give each gin its unique character.
Vapor infusion gives a lighter, brighter botanical lift.
Serve it with premium tonic, plenty of ice and a lime wheel.
A sprig of mint or rosemary makes a fragrant garnish.
It makes a crisp, coastal Martini.
Try it in a Gimlet with fresh lime.
It also shines in a Tom Collins.
The 1L bottle is ideal for parties and home bars.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Bright citrus, pine, mint.
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Palate: Lime zest, fir, minerality.
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Finish: Sea-salt lift, gently warm.
Specifications
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Distillery: Golden State Distillery, Sebastopol, California
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Style: California gin, small batch
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Botanicals: Juniper, mint, lime, fir, almond, kombu kelp
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Base: Gluten-free corn spirit
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Proof / ABV: 86 proof (43% ABV)
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Region: California, USA
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Size: 1L
How to Enjoy It
Mix a G&T with lime, a Gimlet or a gin Martini with a twist. It pairs with oysters, fish tacos or citrus salads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six botanicals?
Juniper, mint, lime, fir needles, almonds and kombu sea kelp.
What inspired it?
The gray whale's 12,000-mile migration along the Pacific coast.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, it is distilled from a gluten-free corn spirit.
Explore more in our Gin collection.
