Stray Dog Wild Gin 750ML is a Greek small-batch gin distilled from wild-foraged Mediterranean botanicals at 43.5% ABV (87 proof). It earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and was named Greece Gin of the Year at the 2020 New York International Spirits Competition — rare accolades for a gin produced in the remote Aridea Mountains of northern Greece.Quick Facts: ABV: 43.5% | Origin: Aridea Mountains, Greece | Style: Contemporary Wild Botanical Gin | Master Distiller: Dimitris MelissanidisProduction & HeritageStray Dog Wild Gin is hand-crafted in small batches using traditional copper pot stills under the direction of Master Distiller Dimitris Melissanidis. The botanical bill draws heavily from plants foraged in the Aridea Mountains — sage, rosemary, fennel seed, bay leaf, fresh orange and lemon — alongside juniper, cardamom, and coriander. One of the most distinctive additions is mastiha resin, a tree sap harvested exclusively from mastic trees on the Greek isle of Chios, which must be brought in specially since it cannot be sourced locally. This combination of terroir-driven foraging and a singular imported ingredient gives the gin a distinctly Mediterranean character that sets it apart from the broader London Dry and New Western categories.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with bright lemon-lime zestiness and sweet pine sap, moving into freshly cracked coriander and sage. Underneath, bay leaf and rosemary create an herbaceous warmth reminiscent of sun-baked Greek hillsides.Taste: On entry, bold citrus notes hit first — sweet and vivid — before giving way to a savory mid-palate where sage becomes the dominant voice. Rosemary and bay leaf layer in behind, while cardamom and anise add a spiced depth. The mastiha resin contributes a subtle piney sweetness that threads through the entire palate without overwhelming the herbal balance.Finish: The finish is notably long, closing with clove warmth and a lingering cardamom tingle. A gentle licorice-like sweetness and residual citrus oil keep the ending aromatic and clean.How to Drink Stray Dog Wild GinAt 43.5% ABV, Stray Dog rewards neat sipping — its complexity and smooth mouthfeel, highlighted by VinePair's 92-point score, make it a genuine sipper rather than just a mixing spirit. A single large ice cube opens the aromatics further without dulling the herbal detail. For cocktails, three standout options: a Gin & Tonic with a Mediterranean tonic and a sprig of fresh rosemary, which amplifies the gin's wild-herb character; a Bee's Knees, where the honey syrup pairs naturally with the sage and citrus notes; and a White Negroni, where the mastiha resin and cardamom add unusual depth against Suze and dry vermouth.Best For Gifting a gin enthusiast who has explored mainstream London Drys and wants something terroir-driven Mediterranean-themed dinner parties where the botanical profile echoes the cuisine Building a world gin collection with a standout Greek representative Introducing adventurous drinkers to the concept of wild-foraged spirits Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Stray Dog Wild Gin taste like? The dominant profile is bright citrus and savory wild herbs — sage, rosemary, and bay leaf — underpinned by cardamom spice and a distinctive piney sweetness from Greek mastiha resin. It finishes long with clove warmth and a lingering anise note.How does Stray Dog Wild Gin compare to St. George Terroir Gin? Both gins are terroir-driven and built around wild-foraged botanicals from their respective landscapes; critics have directly compared them, describing Stray Dog as "the Greek hillside of wild herbs caught in a bottle much as St. George Terroir is the fir-covered alpine forests of mountainous California." Where St. George leans into Douglas fir and California bay laurel, Stray Dog foregrounds Mediterranean sage, mastiha resin, and fresh citrus for a warmer, more herbaceous profile.Is Stray Dog Wild Gin good for sipping neat? Yes — VinePair scored it 92 points and described it as "a well-balanced, smooth sipping option," and its 43.5% ABV provides enough body for neat drinking without excessive heat.Where is Stray Dog Wild Gin made? It is distilled in the Aridea Mountains of northern Greece, a remote region rich in wild-growing herbs. Master Distiller Dimitris Melissanidis oversees small-batch production using traditional copper pot stills.What foods pair well with Stray Dog Wild Gin? Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, as the herbal overlap reinforces both flavors; Greek salad with feta and fresh lemon, echoing the gin's citrus backbone; cured olives and aged kasseri cheese for a savory aperitif board; grilled octopus with bay leaf, which mirrors the gin's Mediterranean aromatics; and honey-drizzled baklava, where the sweetness complements the cardamom and anise finish.What sizes does Stray Dog Wild Gin come in? The standard expression is available in a 750ml bottle.Is Stray Dog Wild Gin worth the price? Stray Dog positions as a premium craft gin, and its Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 92-point VinePair score place it among the highest-rated gins in its price tier. For drinkers seeking a genuinely distinctive botanical profile beyond mainstream options, the quality-to-value ratio is strong.Why Stray Dog Wild Gin?What separates this gin from the increasingly crowded craft category is provenance that you can actually taste. The wild-foraged sage, rosemary, and bay leaf from the Aridea Mountains are not marketing embellishments — they are the backbone of a flavor profile that earned Double Gold at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a 92-point score from VinePair. The inclusion of mastiha resin from the isle of Chios adds a botanical element found in virtually no other gin on the market, giving Stray Dog a signature that cannot be replicated by simply adjusting a generic recipe. For anyone who believes gin should express a sense of place, this is one of the most compelling bottles coming out of Europe.
Related
Related
Related