The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits
Hernö Gin

Hernö Gin

Hernö · Hernö Gin Distillery

80.6 proofNASHärnösand, Sweden
Jon Hillgren's Hernö is one of Sweden's most awarded gins, and the flagship London Dry demonstrates why. Organic botanicals distilled in a small copper pot still produce a gin that is traditional in structure but unmistakably Nordic in character. It is a gin that demands a proper Martini — stirred, cold, with as little interference as possible.

Kit Aromas

Tasting Notes

Nose

Bright juniper — green and resinous — opens the nose, followed by coriander seed, a whisper of meadowsweet, and delicate floral notes. Lemon zest rounds it out.

Palate

Clean and precise. The juniper is front and center but polished, complemented by cassia bark warmth and a gentle peppery kick. Lingonberry undertones add a distinctive Nordic edge.

Finish

Medium length, with juniper slowly fading into a dry, slightly floral close. Refreshingly clean.

Specifications
Style
London Dry
Botanicals
Juniper, coriander, cassia bark, meadowsweet, lingonberries, lemon peel, black pepper, vanilla
Base Spirit
Organic wheat spirit
Distillation
Pot distilled in a 250-liter copper still
Serve & Pair

Cocktail Suggestion

Nordic Martini — 2.5 oz Hernö Gin · 0.5 oz dry vermouth · Stir with ice for 30 seconds, strain into a frozen coupe, garnish with a lemon twist.

Food Pairing

The gin's juniper and herbal brightness cuts through the rich, cured salmon, while the mustard-dill sauce echoes the gin's botanical complexity. Serve on dark rye bread.

The Story

Founded in 2011 by Jon Hillgren on the high coast of northern Sweden, Hernö became the country's first dedicated gin distillery, earning over 100 international medals and proving that world-class gin could come from above the 62nd parallel.

Train These Aromas
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