Hernö Gin hails from Sweden, better known for its vodka and brännvin (literally burnt wine). However, as you need a good spirit base, i.e. vodka to make gin, it’s not surprising that the Swedes have turned their hand to the juniper spirit!
Founder and master distiller, Jon Hillgren, discovered a passion for gin while working as a bartender in London in the late 1990s. He spent the next 12 years travelling the globe tasting gin, studying to become a distiller and visiting other distilleries, before opening his own in 2011.
Between his two copper stills, Kerstin and Marit, Jon produces four different gin styles: this one (a dry gin), Navy Strength, Old Tom and Juniper Cask (barrel-aged).
The Botanicals
Hernö Gin is made with juniper, coriander, lemon peel, lingonberries, meadowsweet, black pepper, cassia bark and vanilla. All of the botanicals used are certified organic.
I like the fact that Hernö have used Lingonberries (a red berry native to Sweden, Canada and Alaska) among the more traditional gin botanicals. Lingonberries are related to blueberries but closer to cranberries in flavour, although less tart.
Aroma and Flavour
On the nose Hernö Gin is green and fresh with a slightly floral aroma. It has a light, fresh flavour with a delicate floral sweetness. This slight sweetness is balanced out by spicier notes from the coriander and black pepper. It’s a testament to the skill of the distiller that none of the botanicals overpower one another.
Hernö Gin is perfect for those who prefer their gin with a lighter juniper flavour. The number of awards it has won tells you that this is a quality gin and I’ll certainly be seeking out the other styles to try.
Country of Origin: Sweden
ABV: 40.5%
Price: High
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