What did you do before launching Damascus Gin? Damascus Gin has never been just a personal project. It’s something the three of us built together—Joseph, Joelle, and myself, Andrés. Two Lebanese and one Spanish. Each of us brings something different, and that mix is what makes the whole journey so special. Before this, I spent nearly 30 years working in the humanitarian world, across 12 countries. While I was in Iraq, I even started a Gin Club, it was a way to share a passion that had followed me for years. Gin has always been something I loved, and when the opportunity came up to actually make one, it felt like the right time to turn that passion into something real. What made you decide to create Damascus Gin, and what's the inspiration behind it? It all started by accident. I was living in Syria and realised there wasn’t a single local gin brand there. Then one evening in Lebanon, while having drinks with friends—including Joelle and Joseph, who owns a winery, I mentioned how much I loved gin. Joseph looked at me and said, “Well, I’ve got the distillation equipment, and I know how to use it. Do you want to make gin?” I said 'Yes!' without even thinking. Joelle came on board and brought the creative spark, shaping the voice, the visuals, and the identity of the brand. That’s how it all began - a mix of friendship, passion, and a shared dream to create something special that reflects the beauty and spirit of Syria and Lebanon.
What is the meaning and story behind the Damascus Gin name? The name "Damascus Gin" is a tribute to one of the world’s oldest cities. Damascus has this incredible cultural and historical weight, and we wanted to honour that. It’s not just about the place, it’s also about the rose. The Damascus Rose is central to our gin and is even recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The name carries that connection, to the rose, the city, and the feeling of nostalgia and pride. For us, it's a way of celebrating something beautiful from a region that's often only associated with conflict and war. Can you tell us more about your distillery and your still? Our gin is distilled at Château Bybline, Joseph’s family-owned winery in the mountains of Wata El Joz, Lebanon. Joseph has a lot of experience in distillation and works with a stainless-steel alembic paired with a copper cooling system - classic, efficient, and perfect for the kind of precision we need. The winery itself is powered by solar energy, and we’re proud to keep the whole process as natural and sustainable as possible. What can visitors experience if they visit the distillery the distillery and winery? Visitors to Château Bybline can get a full experience, tours of the winery, cheese and wine, gin tastings, and a chance to see the whole process up close. It’s a beautiful place, tucked in the mountains, and the setting really adds to the experience. You don’t just taste the gin, you understand it.
Can you tell us more about your distillation process and botanicals? What makes our process special is that each botanical is infused and distilled individually. It takes longer, but it gives us total control over the flavour profile. Once each botanical has been distilled on its own, we do the final blending, carefully combining the separate distillates to get the perfect balance. It’s a bit like composing music: each note has to shine on its own before it all comes together in harmony to create a beautiful melody. We use Damascus Rose for its fragrance, Aleppo pistachio for a touch of warmth and depth, Syrian juniper (Juniperus drupacea) which is hand-harvested in Lebanon, plus citrus and pure mountain spring water. Everything is natural, nothing is rushed, it’s all about respecting the ingredients and the process. What is your ambition for Damascus Gin in the years to come? We’d love for Damascus Gin to be recognised as a true super-premium craft gin, something that not only stands out for its quality, but also for the story it carries. One of our biggest dreams is to bring the taste of the Middle East to the rest of the world. Honestly, if you’ve ever lived in the region, one sip of Damascus Gin will take you straight back. There’s something familiar in the rose, the citrus, the pistachio, it’s got the soul of the place in it. We also want to keep pushing forward. We’re working on new editions and we’re already working to expand internationally, Europe, Canada, Japan, Dubai… And beyond just gin, we’re focused on storytelling. For us, it’s about celebrating beauty and craftsmanship from a part of the world that’s too often only seen through the lens of conflict. If we can shift that narrative even a little, through something delicious and meaningful, we’ll be proud.
What are your favourite ways to drink Damascus Gin?
I’m a bit of a purist. A good Gin & Tonic, with just the right garnish to complement the botanicals, is my go-to. Damascus Gin pairs really well with a dried rose or a slice of citrus. But honestly, it’s also lovely to taste it alone, it is very smooth. Desert Island Gins: Which 3 gins would you take with you and why? MG Gin would definitely come with me, it was the first gin I ever tried, and I still love its pure, juniper-forward flavour. Then there’s Gin Mare, it’s got that Mediterranean magic with a touch of olive that really makes it stand out. And Copperhead Gin, it’s super smooth, has this beautiful mix of cardamom and citrus, and is just so easy to drink. Each one brings something different. What's next for you and Damascus Gin – any exciting plans? We’re just getting started. A Jasmine Edition is in the works, we’re expanding to new markets, and we’re planning to show up more in international competitions. But more than anything, we want to keep telling stories, about the people, the land, and the spirit behind Damascus Gin. There’s so much richness in this region, and we’re excited to keep sharing it, with patience and step by step. You Might Also Like...
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