Launched in October 2013, the SHARISH GIN project is a new Portuguese gin produced in the Alentejo region by António Cuco, taking its name from the village of Monsaraz. Used during the Muslim occupation, the Arabic term "sharish" means xara or jara, the very Alentejo rockrose (Cistus ladanifer). Thus, Mont Sharish would mean a mountain erected in an impenetrable thicket of rockrose, later giving rise to Monsaraz. This gin is based on a recipe full of Portuguese ingredients, from Bravo de Esmolfe DOP apples to Alentejo oranges and lemons, passing through fresh lemon verbena, and also the traditional juniper and coriander seeds, completed with cinnamon, cloves and a subtle touch of vanilla. All these ingredients are distilled separately in a traditional Portuguese still, and then subjected to a final blend.
