Grifu Old Gin

Sardinia’s Wilderness, Refined in the Barrel.
Old Grifu Gin is not just a spirit—it is Sardinia in liquid form. Crafted by Silvio Carta, one of the island’s most visionary distillers, this gin begins with wild-foraged botanicals that grow freely on the windswept hills and coastal paths of Sardinia. Myrtle, fennel, sage, lentisk, thyme, artemisia, and the peel of sun-ripened oranges and mandarins are gathered by hand, carrying with them the aromas of the island’s rugged landscapes. These botanicals are distilled with precision, in a slightly quicker run than the original Grifu Gin, preserving their brightness while adding complexity.

What sets Old Grifu apart is its unique ageing process. After distillation, the gin is left to rest for at least six months in chestnut barrels that once held Sardinia’s traditional Vernaccia wine. This rare choice of wood softens the spirit, adding warm, spicy notes, a subtle smokiness, and a rounded, amber hue. Proximity to the sea plays its part too, with the maritime air breathing gently into the casks, lending a saline whisper that makes this gin unmistakably Sardinian.

The result is a spirit that feels both wild and elegant—fresh citrus and Mediterranean herbs meet silky chestnut warmth. Every sip is a layered journey through Sardinia: the brightness of its coastlines, the spice of its maquis shrubland, and the time-honoured craft of its winemaking traditions, reborn in a bottle of gin. Old Grifu is more than a drink—it is a pioneering approach to gin-making that bridges heritage, terroir, and innovation. For Irish gin lovers, it’s a rare discovery that offers not just flavour, but a sense of place.