When you pour a glass of Gray Whale Gin, you’re doing more than sipping a handcrafted spirit. You’re tasting the soul of California and supporting a powerful mission to protect our oceans. This award-winning gin captures the essence of the Golden State’s natural beauty, from its rugged coastlines to its towering forests, with a deep respect for the environment and the majestic gray whale that inspired it all.
Born on the California Coast
The story of Gray Whale Gin began on a camping trip to Big Sur, where founders Marsh and Jan Mokhtari found themselves mesmerized by the turquoise Pacific, ancient redwoods, and in the distance, a gray whale and its calf making their way north. That moment sparked an idea: create a gin that celebrates the gray whale’s epic 12,000-mile migration and gives back to the oceans that support it.
From that inspiration, Golden State Distillery was born. Their mission? To craft spirits that represent California’s natural bounty while actively supporting wildlife and nature conservation.
Foraged from the Whale’s Migration Path
Gray Whale Gin is more than just delicious! It’s a true California road trip in a bottle. Each of the six botanicals in the recipe is sourced along the gray whale’s migratory path:
- Juniper from Big Sur
- Limes from Temecula
- Fir tree needles from Sonoma
- Mint from Santa Cruz
- Almonds from Capay Valley
- Kombu (sea kelp) from the Mendocino Coast
These sustainably sourced ingredients are carefully distilled using a combination of traditional pot still methods and vapor infusion, allowing the vibrant, fresh flavors to shine. The result? A smooth, balanced gin with crisp citrus, coastal forest notes, and a hint of sea breeze.
Handcrafted with Purpose
Gray Whale Gin is crafted using an ultra-clean, six-times distilled, gluten-free corn base spirit, and then undergoes a seventh distillation with the botanicals. Every detail, from the biodegradable cork to the ocean-blue bottle painted with organic inks, is consciously designed to minimize environmental impact.
And the commitment doesn’t stop at sustainable production. Gray Whale Gin proudly supports Oceana, the largest organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation, and is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating at least one percent of annual sales to environmental causes.
“Gin for Good." A Spirit with Soul
At the heart of Gray Whale Gin is a belief in “Gin for Good," bringing people together for good times and doing good for the planet at the same time. Whether you’re crafting cocktails by the beach, enjoying a quiet evening at home, or gifting a bottle to a friend, each pour is a tribute to California’s coastal beauty and a small step toward a healthier planet.
Try Gray Whale Gin Today
Support the coast, savor the flavor. Shop Gray Whale Gin now here at Great American Craft Spirits and taste the journey for yourself! A gin that not only tastes good, but does good.
The Product
"Looking out past McWay Falls at the turquoise sea we saw a Gray Whale and its calf on their own road trip up North. A trip Gray Whales have been making for more than 30 million years, long before we stood up on two legs. Now, we celebrate their 12,000 mile journey, with a beautiful gin made of botanicals foraged along the migratory path of that majestic creature, from Baja California limes to sea kelp in Mendocino; as well as a few stops in between. Every bottle of Gray Whale Gin supports Oceana, protecting and restoring the world's oceans."
86 Proof (43% ABV)
Cocktail Recipes
BIG SUR SUNSET
2 parts Gray Whale Gin + 1 part lemon juice + ¾ part raspberry syrup* + ½ part orgeat + 1 egg white (optional)
Garnish: fresh raspberry
If making with egg white, add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously without ice, then add ice and shake again. If making with no egg white, add all ingredients into cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Fine strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with raspberries.
*Raspberry Syrup can be store-bought or homemade. If making the syrup, combine 4 oz berries, ½ cup sugar, and ½ cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until simmering, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the berries have disintegrated into seeds. Muddle if needed. Fine strain syrup to remove seeds and berries. Let cool completely before using. Store in an airtight container in a refrigerator. Keeps for 2 weeks.
PIER PASSION
1 ½ parts Gray Whale Gin + 3-4 cucumber slices + ½ part fresh grapefruit juice + ¼ part fresh lemon juice + ¾ part passionfruit syrup
Garnish: cucumber ribbon
Muddle cucumbers in a cocktail shaker, then add all other ingredients and shake with ice. Fine strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a cucumber ribbon.
ARMY & NAVY
2 parts Gray Whale Gin + ¾ part Monin almond syrup or orgeat + ½ part lemon juice + ¼ part lime juice + 1 dash angostura bitters
Garnish: lemon twist
Shake all ingredients with ice for 15 seconds. Strain into a double rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.