The History of Mahon Dates Back to the 18th Century
Mahon gin is a distinctive gin well known as one of the first gins ever made in the Mediterranean. Not only is this award-winning gin delicious in a refreshing cocktail, but it also has a unique and fascinating history with traditional distilling methods and recipes that date back to the 18th century. Keep reading to learn more about the origins of the family-owned distillery that produces Mahon gin.
How Mahon gin got its start
During the Napoleonic wars, the British established their naval base on the island of Menorca. The capital port city of Mahon or Mao, became overturned by sailors, looking for beverages to drink. The Menorcan artists taking inspiration from Dutch Genever began to distill their own version. Slowly but surely the sailors fell in love with the gin, and it became increasingly popular in this port city. But the popularity didn’t stop in the 18th century with these sailors and the Menorcan artists. In fact, by the 20th century, there were several gin distilleries in the area.
A tragic accident became a wonderful opportunity
One day, there was a major fire at one of the distilleries which destroyed the grounds and killed its owner, Fornero. A man by the name of Miguel Pons, who was nick named “Xoriguer” decided to set up his own distillery in that same spot, even though he didn’t have the exact recipe for the gin which was a secret among the Fornero family. Since he had worked in the distillery prior to the fire, he took his knowledge about the products and the ingredients, and he experimented until he got the right mix for the recipe.
In 1945, Miguel took his first barrels of gin to the fiesta of Saint Joan in Ciutadella, and his spirit was so popular that he decided to continue making gin. He set up a distillery on the harbor on Moll de Ponent and the Mahon distillery is still there to this day.
The striking green bottle
One of the most distinctive features about Mahon is its distinctive green bottle. Towards the top of the bottle, you will find a hole in the handle, which makes it look like the earthenware bottles that were used a long time ago to put liquor in. These bottles traditionally held gin or rum 300 years ago in the 18th century and since the recipe for Mahon gin is very similar to the gin recipe from that time, distillers decided to have the bottle crafted as a tribute to this unique history.
Another distinct mark on every bottle of Mahon is the beautiful windmill. This is a nod to Miguel’s family who worked for many years in a mill called Xoriguer. To Miguel, the windmill on the label reflected the tradition, quality, and dedication shown by all the workers at the mill.
Mahon in the United States
Mahón Gin is imported to the United States by Glass Revolution Imports and is a favorite among spirits enthusiasts across the states. By using all natural ingredients free of additives, wild juniper berries, and a nearly 300-year-old traditional copper still, the flavors in Mahón are unlike any others you’ve come to expect in a traditional gin. To learn more about this amazing gin and find out where you can purchase a bottle near you, click here.