Creating the world’s best gin, inspired by nature Hernö Gin Distillery has a clear ambition: to create the world’s best gin. It’s an ambition that’s coming to fruition, too, as the distillery has by now received numerous awards as the world’s best, and its founder has even been inducted to the Gin Magazine Hall of Fame. By Malin Norman | Photos: Hernö Gin
Hernö Gin Distillery is the first dedicated gin distillery in Sweden. What started as a passion for gin and continued through explorations across the world for ‘ginspiration’ has evolved into pure craftsmanship. Amazingly, this is the most prized gin distillery in Europe. Hernö Gin has been named International Gin Producer of the Year, World’s Best Gin, World’s Best London Dry Gin and World’s Best Gin & Tonic, amongst many other awards. But as the talented Hillgren explains: “Even though we have succeeded with our products and won some of the most prominent awards, we will continue to focus on what is at the heart of the business: producing high-quality organic gin.” 42 | Issue 133 | February 2020
Hillgren himself was inducted into the Gin Magazine Hall of Fame in 2019 for his contributions to the world’s gin industry, alongside gin icons such as Christopher Hayman and Charles Maxwell. “It was completely unexpected as we are still new in the industry, but of course a great honour!” he says.
The award-winning range includes Hernö Dry Gin, Hernö Navy Strength Gin, Hernö Old Tom Gin and Hernö Juniper Cask Gin, plus limited editions a couple of times per year: for instance, Hernö High Coast Terroir Gin and Hernö Blackcurrant. As of April 2019, Hernö Dry Gin and Hernö Old Tom Gin are available at Sweden’s two largest airports, Arlanda in Stockholm and Landvetter in Gothenburg.
Juniper berries, floral and citrus Far from a one-hit wonder, Hernö Gin boasts aromas and flavours that are outstanding – but what is the secret? Hillgren explains: “With our hand-hammered copper stills, we are crafting the organic gin from natural ingredients, giving it plenty of flavour from juniper berries but also floral tones of meadowsweet and freshness from lemon zest.
Jon Hillgren, founder and master distiller.