Gray Whale Distilled Gin

Gray Whale Gin began on a camping trip to Big Sur, where the founders watched a grey whale and her calf move through the turquoise water off the California coast. Their Golden State Distillery, founded in 2016, distils the spirit seven times from corn for purity, then works with sun-dried botanicals drawn from sustainable farms and wild collections. Fresh citrus and pine needles are tied into a bag suspended over the copper stills to capture their volatile freshness in a final vapour-distillation step. Every bottle supports Oceana's work protecting the seas.

The nose is intense and spicy with citrus nuances. The palate is fresh and clean, juniper and pine meeting bright lime and orange. The finish is long. Pour it into a crisp G&T with a wedge of lime and a sprig of something green to echo its coastal, evergreen character.