Nordés arrives from an unexpected corner of the gin world: Galicia, the lush, rain-soaked region in Spain's northwest corner, better known for its Albariño wines, its octopus, and its Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage than for its spirits. But it's precisely this sense of place — this deep connection to a specific landscape and culinary tradition — that makes Nordés one of the most distinctive gins I've tasted.
The base spirit is distilled from Albariño grapes, the iconic white grape variety of Galicia's Rías Baixas wine region. This is significant: most gins use a neutral grain spirit as their base, which contributes little flavour. The Albariño spirit, while redistilled to a high purity, retains a subtle fruity, floral quality that shapes the gin's overall character.
The Botanicals
Eleven botanicals, many of them indigenous to Galicia: eucalyptus, laurel, lemon verbena, sage, and the rock samphire that grows on Galicia's Atlantic coastline. These sit alongside more conventional gin botanicals — juniper, cardamom, ginger, and hibiscus — creating a botanical bill that's half-Mediterranean herb garden, half-classic gin.
On the Nose
Immediately distinctive. The first impression is herbal — not the medicinal herbal of some gins, but the fresh, aromatic herbal of a Galician hillside: eucalyptus, sage, and lemon verbena creating a bright, almost mentholated opening. Behind this herbal wall, juniper is present but gentle, and there's a subtle floral-fruity quality — possibly the Albariño base spirit making itself known — that adds elegance.
On the Palate
Nordés is unlike any other gin I can easily compare it to. The entry is soft and herbal, with eucalyptus and sage dominating the early palate. But it's not aggressive or medicinal — these herbs are presented with a light touch, more reminiscent of cooking than pharmacy. Lemon verbena adds a citrusy brightness that's different from the lemon-peel citrus of conventional gins — more tea-like, more delicate.
Mid-palate, the gin's warmer elements emerge: cardamom and ginger adding gentle spice, and the hibiscus contributing a subtle, almost grape-like tartness. The mouthfeel is distinctive too — lighter than most gins, with a silky, almost wine-like texture that the Albariño base spirit surely contributes.
The Finish
Medium length, herbal and clean, with eucalyptus and lemon verbena lingering pleasantly. The finish has a freshness — a mentholated, cleansing quality — that makes Nordés feel particularly suited to warm-weather drinking.
Serving
In Spain, Nordés is typically served in a large copa glass with plenty of ice, Mediterranean tonic, and a grape garnish — which sounds unusual but works perfectly, the grape echoing the gin's Albariño origins. A sprig of fresh rosemary is an excellent alternative garnish. In cocktails, try it in a White Negroni (Nordés, Suze, Lillet Blanc) for something truly special.
The Assessment
Nordés is a gin that could only come from Galicia, and that specificity is its greatest strength. It's not trying to be a London Dry, not trying to be a Japanese gin, not trying to be anything other than an expression of its Atlantic Galician home. The result is a spirit of genuine originality and considerable charm.
If your gin shelf is feeling monotonous, Nordés is the cure. Highly recommended.
