SloveniaCrafted in the heart of Slovenia’s Bela Krajina region, Blackmill Živa Gin is more than just a spirit. Inspired by local mythology, traditional craftsmanship and the natural richness of the Slovenian landscape, this distinctive craft gin reflects the character of its origin and the creativity of Blackmill Distillery.
Named after Živa, the Slavic goddess of life, fertility and love, this gin celebrates the harmony between nature, culture and craftsmanship. The result is a spirit that combines botanical complexity with a smooth and elegant character.
The inspiration behind Živa Gin lies deep within Slavic mythology. Živa is known as the goddess of life, water, fertility and the sun, a symbol of vitality and renewal. This mythology perfectly reflects the philosophy behind the gin: creating a spirit that embodies nature, balance and life itself.
Every detail of the bottle design reflects this heritage. The label features patterns inspired by traditional Bela Krajina embroidery, reinterpreted in elegant gold tones. Hidden within the design are symbolic elements such as the peacock from paradise and the king’s sceptre, both representing beauty, strength and vitality.
The visual identity of the bottle is therefore not just decorative, it tells a story of local culture, mythology and Slovenian heritage.
Živa Gin is crafted using a carefully balanced selection of botanicals inspired by the surrounding landscape and local traditions. The recipe combines classic gin ingredients with more unusual elements that give the spirit its distinctive personality.
Key botanicals include:
– Aromatic juniper berries-
– Rich beeswax essence
– Sweet liquorice root
– Delicate birch bark
– Fruity notes of mulberries
– Juicy apricots
Together these ingredients create a layered and aromatic profile with subtle sweetness, delicate herbal notes and a velvety mouthfeel.
The result is a gin that surprises the palate while remaining balanced and elegant.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Živa Gin is its distillation process. At Blackmill Distillery, the spirit is distilled in a unique wooden pot still, believed to be one of the only stills of its kind in the world.
This rare equipment adds a distinctive character to the distillation process and reflects the distillery’s commitment to combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques. The careful process allows the botanicals to develop their full aromatic potential, resulting in a gin with remarkable depth and complexity.
Živa Gin offers a unique sensory experience that blends herbal freshness with gentle sweetness and fruit complexity.
Nose
– Aromatic juniper
– Soft beeswax notes
– Subtle herbal tones
Palate
– Smooth and slightly sweet
– Fruity hints of mulberry and apricot
– Delicate spice from liquorice root
Finish
– Velvety texture
– Long and elegant botanical finish
– The overall profile is balanced, aromatic and refined, a gin that invites slow appreciation.
Produced in the town of Črnomelj near the Lahinja River, Živa Gin represents the growing craft distilling movement in Slovenia. Rooted in local culture yet crafted with modern distilling expertise, the gin reflects the natural beauty and traditions of the Bela Krajina region.
As part of the portfolio of Blackmill Distillery, the gin stands alongside the distillery’s future ambitions to produce rum and whisky, further expanding Slovenia’s reputation in the world of craft spirits.
Živa Gin is therefore not only a distinctive spirit, it is also a symbol of Slovenian craftsmanship, mythology and innovation.
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