Gin Primo, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Distiller Notes

GIN PRIMO
The name ‘Primo’ has many origins. Translated as number one, it symbolizes several things for Federico and his wife, Bianca. Their first production was completed on September 1, 2016, and it is the first salt gin from Italy. In addition, families in Emilia-Romagna traditionally name their first son ‘Primo’. The gin is like their first child. 

The salinia (salt bed) in Cervia has been in use for over 4,000 years and the privilege of harvesting is passed down through generations of local families. It is a pinkish gray color and is said to have a ‘sal dolce’ or sweet and salty flavor.

The only other botanicals besides the salt are juniper from Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, and local lavender, lemon balm and santolina (a slightly bitter Mediterranean shrub in the chamomile family). All local botanicals are hand harvested and dried and infused separately to ensure the right amount of extraction. 

The infusions are then distilled separately, and very gently, with a vacuum still that preserves the delicate aromas and maximum amount of essential oils. The juniper is distilled separately in an alembic and then combined with the others. The salt is first dissolved in water 4-4.5g salt per liter of water and then added to the distillate to bring down the alcohol to 43%.