A Mediterranean London Dry with a Distinctive Balsamic Character
Malabusca Gin is a premium London Dry Gin bottled at 42% ABV, with a dry, intense and distinctly balsamic profile. Its combination of juniper, citrus, spices and Mediterranean herbs creates an expression with a character of its own, designed to work equally well in a simple gin and tonic or in cocktails.
Its character is built around 12 botanicals. Alongside the essential juniper are orange, lemon and bergamot, together with spearmint, sage, lemon thyme and lemon verbena. Cardamom, liquorice, cassia bark and angelica root complete the recipe. The result retains the classic profile expected of a London Dry while introducing a distinctive herbal and Mediterranean dimension.
Twelve Botanicals with the Mediterranean at the Heart
In Malabusca Gin, juniper retains its central role, providing the resinous character typical of the category. Around it, the citrus fruits bring freshness and different aromatic nuances. Orange contributes a softer character, lemon adds vibrancy and bergamot introduces a particularly fragrant citrus note.
Its defining character comes from the herbs. The sage is sourced from the Sierra de Aitana, while lemon thyme, lemon verbena and spearmint reinforce its balsamic profile. These botanicals are closely associated with the aromatic landscape of the Mediterranean and account for much of the personality of this Spanish gin.
The spicy and structural elements are completed by cardamom, liquorice, cassia and angelica root. This combination maintains a balance between freshness, dryness, herbal notes and spice without making the gin excessively perfumed.
An Internationally Award-Winning Gin
This expression has received several accolades at international competitions. It won a Silver Medal at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Silver at the 2021 and 2025 London Spirits Competition, and was named Spanish Gin of the Year at the 2021 Asian International Spirits Competition in Hong Kong.
These awards reflect Malabusca's positioning among premium Spanish gins: a London Dry that retains its dryness and prominent juniper character while developing its identity around citrus, spices and Mediterranean herbs.
42% ABV and a Profile Made for Gin & Tonic
At 42% ABV, it has enough structure to preserve the character of its botanicals when mixed with tonic water. This is particularly important in a gin and tonic, where a lighter gin can quickly be overwhelmed by the mixer and ice.
To serve Malabusca Gin, the producer recommends a deliberately simple preparation: 40 ml of gin, 200 ml of fine-bubble tonic water, plenty of quality ice, a twist of lemon and a mint leaf. The glass should ideally be chilled with ice before adding the ingredients.
This is an excellent way to respect the aromatic complexity already present in the gin. There is no need to overload the glass with fruit, spices or elaborate garnishes. A relatively neutral tonic allows the juniper, citrus and balsamic notes to remain clearly identifiable.
Also Ideal for Classic Cocktails
As a London Dry, it works particularly well in recipes where the gin needs to retain a leading role. It is especially suited to dry, citrus-driven or herbal cocktails, from a Dry Martini to a Negroni or Gin Fizz. Its Mediterranean notes add a distinctive dimension without losing the classic structure of the category.
At Licorea, we particularly recommend this gin to anyone looking to move beyond more conventional London Dry styles without sacrificing juniper character or dryness. Malabusca Gin retains those classic foundations while adding a clear Mediterranean identity that remains evident even in the simplest serves.
