About Santamania Madrid Dry Gin (700 ml)

Country of origin:   Spain                                    Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 41%                                  Bottle size: 700 ml

Distilled in small batches of less than 800 bottles, Santamana's Madrid Dry is a juniper-driven London Dry style, with a distinctive Spanish accent. The round, silky Tempranillo spirit lays down a fleshy yet vibrant base and while the style is nice and classic thanks to the juniper dominant flavours, there's more than a nod to the gin's Iberian roots in the pungent rosemary and fresh citrus aromas.

Tasting notes: The flavour profile is both zesty and sappy with delicate floral notes and, of course, the fruity grape base. The mouth feel is luscious and creamy, with peppery spice and waxy lime hints appearing on the mouth-watering finish. It's a very sophisticated yet bright and lively style that's crying out for a Spanish-sized nip and a splash of StrangeLove No. 8 tonic. 

Santamanía Distillery: The folks behind Santamanía are Javier Domínguez, Ramón Morillo and distiller Víctor Fraile. This is one of only five licensed craft distilleries in Spain and it is an absolute trail blazer that had to work through Spain’s bureaucracy for years to get their distillation license in place.  This gave the Santamania team plenty of time to work on the crafting of their spirits. Today the three core spirits offered here are made in one-shot, single batches – distilled using the two on site, custom CARL copper stills called Vera and Lola.

Santamanía have gone to atypical lengths to control every step of the production process and to try to capture as much Spanish character as possible.  e trio source their own grape spirit – very unusual for gin producers – a base spirit distilled from Tempranillo; a homage to Spain’s tradition with the vine. Santamania’s 96° proof Tempranillo base creates funky magic when run through Vera’s copper still and rectification column, while also delivering a juicier texture than most grain based gins. Víctor Fraile’s choice of botanicals – all hand sourced and mostly from organic Spanish suppliers – further underlines the two gins’ Iberian roots. And then there’s the water – shipped from the highest geographical point in Spain, the lava caves of Mount Teide, Tenerife. It’s the purest water to be found in Spain and it combines seamlessly with the spirit.

Awards:

•          2015: Gold @ Catavinum

•          2015: Double Gold @ San Francisco World Sprits Awards

•          2015 Gold @ The Chicago Beverage Tasting Institute