Llubí is located in the Pla, the flat heart of Mallorca, far away from the coasts and the tour buses. Anyone passing through here will see almond trees, dry stone walls, and a village of a few thousand inhabitants. It is right there that one of the island's most independent selections of spirits is being created.
A distillery, not a winery
Destilleria Pareis does not make wine; instead, it distills and macerates: gin, herbal liqueur, and rum. This is a difference in craftsmanship. While a winery works with what the vintage provides, in a distillery, it is the recipe that decides what ends up in the glass.
The name Pareis also has a second meaning on Mallorca: the Torrent de Pareis is the spectacular gorge on the northwest coast. So, anyone reading the name on a bottle immediately gets an image of the island in their head.
What makes Pareis different
All bottlings are distilled exclusively using natural ingredients, without artificial colors and without added flavorings. That sounds like a matter of course, but it is not the case on the spirits shelf.
It is also striking that the three gins are not variations of the same base recipe. They head in three clearly different directions, which is rare for small distilleries.
The three gins compared
Mascori Gin is the most accessible of the three. It is made from freshly picked lemons, plus classic gin spices. Clear, fresh, with a fine bitter note on the finish. If you like gin and tonic in the summer, start here.
Mercant Gin heads in a spicy direction. Cinnamon, licorice, juniper, and Mallorcan oranges create a warm, round profile with a slight sweetness. This is the gin for cooler evenings and for anyone who finds pure citrus gins too thin.
Sorient Gin is the most unusual. It combines Mallorcan apples and lemons with botanicals from India and Nepal. Spicy, elegant, with several layers between herbs, fruit, and citrus. The gin that should also be tried neat.
The right tonic
A neutral Indian tonic with a slice of lemon goes well with the Mascori; it doesn't need anything more. The Mercant can handle a dry tonic and an orange zest; it brings the sweetness itself. With the Sorient, a restrained tonic is worthwhile so that the oriental spices are not covered up.
You can find more about this in our guide to Mallorcan gin and the right tonic.
Herbes Pareis: the island classic
The Herbes Pareis is an artisan herbal liqueur made according to Mallorcan tradition, with carefully selected Mediterranean herbs.
On the island, the bottle is kept in the freezer and brought to the table after a meal. We explain the background of the drink in detail under Hierbas de Mallorca.
Bahia Rum: the surprise
Rum from Mallorca sounds unlikely at first, but it works. Bahia Rum ages for months and manages without artificial colors, which you can see: it is lighter than most industrial rums, which are darkened with caramel color.
In the glass, sugarcane and oak combine into a balanced profile. It shows its best when drunk neat at room temperature.
Where to start
If you cannot decide, the Gin Set Pareis is the best entry point: three 10-centiliter bottles, all three varieties, enough for two to three gin and tonics each. Afterward, you will know which full-size bottle you want.
The set works particularly well as a gift because it offers a selection instead of betting on someone else's taste. You can find more ideas in our gift boxes from Mallorca.
The entire selection from the distillery can be found with us under Gin from Mallorca and Hierbas and Liqueurs.
0 comments