Croatian Gin & Distilleries in Croatia
On This Page: Croatian Gin and Distillery directory, reviews and tasting notes, distillery tours in Croatia, interviews with Croatian distillers, and industry insights with Hrvoje Busic of Old Pilots Gin and Vedran Sisak of The Artisan Gin.
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Despite Croatian juniper being highly desired by distillers and used by distilleries around the world, gin itself doesn't have a long history in Croatia. However, with distilling in Croatia having been primarily focused on brandies or rakija, gin production is beginning to becoming more common with an increasing number of distilleries producing gin and often presenting the wonderful flavours of Croatian botanicals and the Mediterranean.
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Croatian Gin Reviews - A to Z
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For more Croatian gins, try Aronia Pink Robin Gin, Flying Cat Gin, Rhapsody Dry Gin, Nostromo Wine Gin, Dubrovnik Republic Gin, and MB72 Dry Hop Gin.
CROATIAN GIN FACT!
- In 2015 there were just 5 gin producers in Croatia, but by 2020 there were more than 30 gin producers.
Distilleries & Tours in Croatia
Just a small number of distilleries that produce gin are open to visitors for tours and tastings in Croatia. However, the below distilleries are well worth visiting to discover both their gin and other products, such as brandies, liqueurs and wines:
- Aura Distillery - Buzet
- Mashtel Distillery - Zadar
- Rossi Vineyard & Distillery - Vižinada
Meet the Makers
Get to know some of Croatia's finest gin creators and distillers in our 'Meet the Maker' interviews. Find out what inspired them and how they created and launched their gin, how it's made, what botanicals are used, how best to serve their gins and what they have planned for the future:
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The Inside Scoop
We caught up with Hrvoje Busic - Co-Founder of Old Pilots Gin in Zagreb, and Vedran Sisak of The Artisan Gin, to find out what makes Croatian Gin special and how the industry has grown in recent years:
What is Croatia's history with spirits and distilling?
Hrvoje: "Croatia has long distilling history. Distilling was based on classical Turkish still (simple alembic copper pot still, open flame) used even today all over the Balkans. Croatia’s traditional products are fruit brandies (local name “rakija”) (Slivovitz, Williams), Lozovaca (wine distillate, grappa), Komovica (made from wine production leftover, spent grapes) and liqueurs based on fruits and honey. 5 years ago with World wide distilling renaissance some new, not so traditional spirits emerged, mainly gin. It is funny how gin is not traditional Croatian spirit although Croatia has world famous juniper (used in Monkey 47 and Bluecoat gin to name a few). Regarding whiskey production we have only one distillery that produces whiskey and two that started production (one being ourselves)."
Vedran: "Croatia hasn't had a long history of premium spirits production, such as gin, and it has mostly been Croatian wines that we are proud of up until now."
How has the Croatian Gin industry developed in recent years?
Hrvoje: "5 years ago there were 5 gin producers on the market and 3 of those were wine producers who’s gin was bi-product (based on spent grain distillate). Now we have more than 30 producers mainly local craft producers. Quality varies a lot as people think gin is another “rakija” (local name for brandy) but some producers were awarded with respectable medals on international competitions."
What makes Croatian Gin different / special?
Hrvoje: "Local ingredients especially juniper berries. Croatian Juniper berries grow on the border between Mediterranean and continental climate (mountains that stretch from northern to southern part of Croatia) and have ideal combination between sunny and cold weather. Many Croatian gins are based on wine distillate."
What's next for the gin industry in Croatia?
Hrvoje: "Developing new gin versions (flavoured gins, barrel aged, navy strength,..) and increasing overall quality of the products excepting new technologies and production methods."
What is Croatia's history with spirits and distilling?
Hrvoje: "Croatia has long distilling history. Distilling was based on classical Turkish still (simple alembic copper pot still, open flame) used even today all over the Balkans. Croatia’s traditional products are fruit brandies (local name “rakija”) (Slivovitz, Williams), Lozovaca (wine distillate, grappa), Komovica (made from wine production leftover, spent grapes) and liqueurs based on fruits and honey. 5 years ago with World wide distilling renaissance some new, not so traditional spirits emerged, mainly gin. It is funny how gin is not traditional Croatian spirit although Croatia has world famous juniper (used in Monkey 47 and Bluecoat gin to name a few). Regarding whiskey production we have only one distillery that produces whiskey and two that started production (one being ourselves)."
Vedran: "Croatia hasn't had a long history of premium spirits production, such as gin, and it has mostly been Croatian wines that we are proud of up until now."
How has the Croatian Gin industry developed in recent years?
Hrvoje: "5 years ago there were 5 gin producers on the market and 3 of those were wine producers who’s gin was bi-product (based on spent grain distillate). Now we have more than 30 producers mainly local craft producers. Quality varies a lot as people think gin is another “rakija” (local name for brandy) but some producers were awarded with respectable medals on international competitions."
What makes Croatian Gin different / special?
Hrvoje: "Local ingredients especially juniper berries. Croatian Juniper berries grow on the border between Mediterranean and continental climate (mountains that stretch from northern to southern part of Croatia) and have ideal combination between sunny and cold weather. Many Croatian gins are based on wine distillate."
What's next for the gin industry in Croatia?
Hrvoje: "Developing new gin versions (flavoured gins, barrel aged, navy strength,..) and increasing overall quality of the products excepting new technologies and production methods."
Find out more about the gins and distilleries in more countries!
Visit our 'Gins by Country' guide.
Visit our 'Gins by Country' guide.
