It was in 2019 when I had a drink with the famous Slovenian rock singer Zoran Predin, the leader of rock band Lachni Franc. This story is not about great music, but for a drink we had that night.
Zoran, this is……. Gin, right!!! – I asked after the first sip.
No, this is not Gin, this is Brin – Zoran quickly answered.
But it reminds of Gin! – me again.
Well, this is a local spirit we produce in Slovenia, Brin or Brinjevec and the main ingredient is juniper berries, the same as in Gin – Zoran ended the conversation.
I realised later that evening, that the place of my origin, Galichnik in Macedonia and Bistra mountain is known as the ‘Home of Juniper’ and that the juniper is one of the herbs my people were using in our traditional medicine.
The inspiration was there and the story began.
I decided to create the White Ridge, crafted with meticulous care made from hand-picked botanicals which we collect in the hidden corners of Bistra mountain. Making a perfect blend, we made a gin that possesses a bewitching flavour that could tempt even the most discerning palate.
Like every alchemy process, we have several other secrets as well. Since they are secrets just for good use of the word ‘secrets’ in a story, we will reveal them.
One of the secrets to White Ridge’s excellence is not only in the hand-picked botanicals, but also in the clear spring water that flows from the mountain’s heart. This water is so pure and pristine that it seems to have magical powers of its own, enhancing the flavours of the gin.
Another secret legend says that every night, as the villagers slumbered, the ghostly figure of an ancient alchemist named Spyridon appeared in the distillery. Spyridon is probably the one who created the recipe for medicine in the old days. The basic recipe of our White Ridge. He is still carefully monitoring the distillation process, making sure that every batch was infused with the perfect balance of herbs and spices.
The Spyridon stories could capture your attention and that is why in this genesis story we will not go in depth with his achievements. You could only imagine all the tales of the White Ridge, from the locals.
The White Ridge with its hand-picked botanicals, the pure spring water, and the mischievous spirit of Galichnik, is a gin unlike any other—a testament to the magical allure of the Bistra mountain.