Junipero Gin
Junipero Gin is a 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV), 750mL London Dry gin from San Francisco, California — first released in 1996 and widely recognized as the first post-Prohibition craft gin distilled in the United States. It is redistilled once in a small copper pot still from grain neutral spirit and filtered San Francisco water, bottled unfiltered and never chill-filtered, with twelve botanicals. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 49.3% (98.6 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Style: London Dry, not chill-filtered
- Botanicals: 12 — juniper, coriander, angelica, orris, lemon peel, sweet/Seville orange peels, cubeb, cassia, cardamom, anise, grains of paradise
- Origin: San Francisco, California — Hotaling & Co. (est. as Anchor Distilling Co., 1996)
- Distinction: first post-Prohibition US craft gin
America's Craft Gin Pioneer
Long before craft gin was a category, Anchor Distilling — the spirits offshoot of San Francisco's Anchor Brewing — released Junipero in 1996 and effectively started it. The recipe has not chased trends since: juniper at the forefront, twelve botanicals revealed by the house in 2016, and a small copper pot still that keeps the structure big. The distillery's own tasting note calls it bold and bright — lemon peel, cardamom, and lemongrass unfolding from a strong juniper core, crisp and clean with herbal complexity. Browse more gin and the Junipero collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Strong juniper core with bright citrus and herbal complexity (brand).
Palate: Big structure — juniper at the forefront opening to lemon peel, cardamom, and lemongrass.
Finish: Bold, crisp, and clean with lingering botanical warmth.
How to Enjoy
Built for a proper martini — the 98.6 proof stands up to vermouth and a long stir. It also makes a juniper-forward gin and tonic with plenty of lime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is Junipero Gin?
98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).
Who makes Junipero?
Hotaling & Co. of San Francisco — founded as Anchor Distilling Co., the spirits arm of Anchor Brewing.
Why is Junipero historically significant?
Released in 1996, it is recognized as the first craft gin distilled in the US after Prohibition.
Is Junipero chill-filtered?
No — it is bottled unfiltered and never chill-filtered, keeping its full botanical texture.
The gin that started American craft gin — order Junipero Gin online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.