Pink grapefruit and rosemary gin cocktail
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Over the last decade, Argentina has become a hub for craft distillation, giving rise to several hundred new gin expressions. Gin cocktails have always been popular in Argentina, but only recently has local distillation become a significant factor. At the 7th Annual (2025) International Bartender Spirits Awards, Native Bosque Gin took top honors, winning both Best Gin and the Best Spirit Award. Below is a brief description and tasting note on what some of America’s top bartenders have chosen as the world’s best gin.
Bosque Nativo Gin is a premium artisanal spirit crafted in the heart of Argentina’s Patagonia region. According to the company, the distillery was founded in 2018 by “Juan Augusto Chereminiano, Facundo Imas Anania, Bruno Anania and Juan Nielsen, four friends and entrepreneurs in love with Patagonia who in 2018 imagined the power of making a gin with local raw materials on par with the best spirits in the world.” Their goal “is to capture the essence of Patagonia’s wild landscapes and to use a portion of the proceeds to preserve Argentina’s native forests.”
The name “Bosque” means “forest” in Spanish. It signifies the distillery’s dedication to honoring and preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of Patagonia’s Andean foothills.
According to its founders, Bosque Nativo Gin, the distillery’s flagship product, “embodies this ethos by incorporating locally sourced botanicals, particularly wild juniper berries hand-harvested by small producers in the communities of El Bolsón and Lago Puelo in Chubut province.”
Bosque Nativo Gin is meticulously crafted through a four-stage distillation process. The botanicals undergo a 48-hour cold maceration process, allowing for a subtle extraction of flavors. The base spirit is a triple-distilled corn alcohol, which undergoes a fourth distillation to produce the final gin product.
The botanicals used include locally sourced wild juniper berries from Patagonia, coriander seeds, cardamom, cloves, lemon verbena, orange blossom, grapefruit peel, and lemon peel.
A typical Patagonian landscape. Perito Moreno National Park, Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia, Argentina, South America
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Nativo Bosque Gin, 42% ABV, 500 ml.
The gin presents a complex blend of citrus and spice on the nose, featuring prominent notes of grapefruit peel and orange blossom, complemented by subtle hints of cardamom and cloves.
It’s smooth and spicy on the palate. The initial citrus brightness of lemon verbena and grapefruit gives way to the earthy and resinous notes of wild juniper, as well as the warmth and spiciness of coriander seeds.
The finish is long and fresh, with lingering notes of lemon verbena and subtle clove spice.
The gin has been a perennial medalist in international spirit competitions and is widely recognized as one of Argentina’s best craft gins.
The International Bartender Spirits Awards is a prestigious global competition that celebrates the world’s finest spirits. The awards recognize excellence across various spirit categories, including whiskies, gins, rums, and tequilas, with a focus on quality, innovation, value, and craftsmanship.
Judged by an expert panel of bartenders and industry professionals, the competition is highly regarded in the spirits industry and serves as a benchmark for quality.
Bosque Nativo Gin offers an authentic taste of Patagonia, encapsulating the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Its commitment to sustainability, local sourcing, and traditional craftsmanship makes it a standout choice for gin enthusiasts seeking a unique and high-quality spirit. Whether enjoyed neat, in a classic cocktail, or as part of a creative mix, Bosque Nativo Gin delivers a memorable and refined drinking experience.
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