On my last trip home to California I acquired a bottle of Gray Whale Gin. This is a relatively new ‘craft’ Gin and had been well received by the gin cognoscenti. The following is a typical review: “First, the aroma of citrus carries you north, followed by juniper and a subtle hint of cool coastal fir trees. As you move further up the path, fresh mint and the umami flavors of kombu sea kelp are rounded out by a beautiful lasting creamy almond finish. Its young, bold and wise beyond its years.”
So, of course, I was eager to give this a try, having been led by such reviews to expect and angels with harps riding great grey whales …… but no.
First some of the basics. This Gin is made in Sebastopol, California by Golden State Distillery. For those of you unfamiliar with Californian geography that is north of San Francisco, near Santa Rosa. There are only six ingredients, all from California. They are Big Sur Juniper, Temecula Limes, Sonoma Fir Tree (needles), Mendocino Coast Sea Kelp, Santa Cruz Mint, and Central Valley Almonds.