FIRST JOURNEYS - EUROPEAN EXPEDITION- PIN 04 OF 40
GIN SEA - A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
A ROAD TRIP WHERE EVERY STOP HAS A STORY
Today I’ve crossed the border into northwestern Spain and arrived in Galicia, where Spain meets the Atlantic.
This rugged corner of the Iberian Peninsula is a land of wild coastlines, deep river estuaries and ancient forests.
At its western edge lies Cape Finisterre—Finis Terrae, or "the end of the Earth"—where the Romans believed the world ended and the sun disappeared into the Atlantic each evening. Even today, many pilgrims continue beyond Santiago de Compostela to watch the sunset over the ocean, marking the symbolic end of their journey.
Galicia has a strong identity all of its own. Its language, Galician (Galego), is closely related to Portuguese, while its Celtic heritage still lives on in local music, folklore and festivals.
The unmistakable sound of bagpipes is as much a part of Galician celebrations as it is in parts of Scotland, a reminder of the region's ancient Celtic roots.
The Atlantic has shaped not only the landscape but also the food and drink.
Galicia is renowned for its seafood, fertile farmland and excellent wines, particularly the crisp Albariños of the Rías Baixas.
Another local speciality is orujo, a fiery pomace brandy distilled from the leftover grape skins after winemaking. Traditionally used in the dramatic Queimada ceremony, the spirit is set alight while an ancient incantation is recited to ward off evil spirits—part folklore, part theatre and entirely Galician.
Of course, there is gin too.
In 2012, local sommelier Manuel Barrientos set out to create a gin that captured the character of Galicia. Working alongside more than 100 restaurant professionals, he refined the recipe for Gin Sea before production was entrusted to Destilerías Acha, one of Spain's oldest family distilleries.
Founded in 1831 in the Basque Country, the distillery still operates a beautifully preserved Hervé & Moulin copper pot still dating from 1890, combining generations of craftsmanship with a thoroughly modern gin.
Gin Sea is wonderfully expressive, with layers of herbs, warming spice and a refreshing hint of mint that seem to echo the cool Atlantic air. It has plenty of personality without overpowering the palate and is a gin that rewards slow sipping.
Where ancient Celtic traditions meet the Atlantic, Galicia tells its story through rugged coastlines, pilgrimage routes and a gin inspired by the sea.
Being in Spain, there was only ever going to be one serve—a classic Gin Tónica.
Served over plenty of ice with premium tonic and a simple garnish, it's a reminder that sometimes the best cocktails are the simplest. I couldn't resist embracing Spanish tradition and serving mine with a side of olives.
"Show me a bottle and I’ll tell you a story."