Brand
Junipero
Junipero is an American craft gin, juniper-forward, launched in 1996 and traditionally distilled in small copper stills in San Francisco. It is bottled unfiltered at high proof (98.6 proof / 49.3% ABV).
- San Francisco · California · USA
- Since 1996
- 1 product
The story
Junipero was introduced in 1996 by Anchor Distilling Company (the company that later became Hotaling & Co.). Launched as one of the early American craft gins of the modern era, it helped define the craft gin movement in the United States. Hotaling & Co. now holds the brand in its portfolio; in February 2026 the company announced the closure of distillation operations at the Pier 50 site in San Francisco and stated it will seek contract producers for future production while retaining stocks of bottled product and bulk for distribution.
Production philosophy
Strong focus on juniper and citrus character, small-batch production, attention to ingredient quality and water purity; brand communication emphasizes handcrafting, a juniper-forward profile and the tradition of copper still distillation.
Territory
San Francisco, California (United States)
Production method
Base of neutral grain spirit; San Francisco source water (Hetch Hetchy) used for dilution; botanicals (declared as 12 in total) are added and the blend is redistilled in small batches in a copper still. The product is left unfiltered and bottled at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).
Distillation
Small-batch copper stills; botanicals ground/added directly to the distillate and redistilled; not chill-filtered; bottled unfiltered at 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).
Characteristics
- Type
- Brand
- City
- San Francisco
- Categories
- gin
- craft gin
- juniper-forward gin
- London dry gin
- high-proof gin
- Raw materials
- neutral grain spirit
- water (Hetch Hetchy, San Francisco)
- Representative products
- Junipero Gin 70 cl (98.6 proof / 49.3% ABV)
- Junipero Gin Smoked Rosemary (flavored edition mentioned in the official shop)
What makes it distinctive
- Launched in 1996 and regarded among the pioneers of modern American craft gin.
- High-proof bottling: 98.6 proof (49.3% ABV).
- Distilled in small batches in a copper still and bottled unfiltered.
- Dilution water sourced from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in San Francisco.
- Brand part of Hotaling & Co.'s portfolio (formerly Anchor Distilling); local production in San Francisco continued until 2026, after which the company announced it would seek contract production partners.