Brand Kit

Brand Overview

Gray Whale Spirits is a California-based craft spirits brand that celebrates the migratory journey of the California gray whale. The company produces small-batch, sustainably crafted gin and vodka inspired by and sourced along the gray whale's Pacific migratory path. Every bottle sold supports ocean conservation efforts.

Gray Whale Gin and Vodka bottles

Brand Fact Sheet

Company

  • Brand Name: Gray Whale Spirits
  • Website: graywhalespirits.com
  • Location: California, USA
  • Category: Craft Spirits (Gin & Vodka)
  • Mission: To celebrate and protect the California gray whale and the Pacific coastline through consciously crafted spirits and ocean conservation partnerships.

Products

Gray Whale Gin

Gray Whale Gin bottle

  • Style: London Dry-inspired, Californian botanical gin
  • ABV: 43% Alc./Vol.
  • Base Spirit: 100% Grain Neutral Spirits (gluten-free corn base, 6x distilled)
  • Distillation: 7-step process — 6x distilled corn base spirit + 1 final botanical distillation
  • Botanicals (6): Juniper, Mint, Lime, Fir Needles, Almonds, Kombu — sustainably sourced or wild harvested along the California coastline
  • Flavor Profile: Bright citrus and cooling mint; crisp, clean, and refreshing with a distinctive cooling finish
  • Best For: Gin & Tonic, Martini, and any white spirit cocktail

Gray Whale Gin six botanicals: Juniper, Mint, Lime, Fir, Almonds, Kombu

Gray Whale Vodka

Gray Whale Vodka bottle

  • Style: Small-batch, no-additive vodka
  • ABV: 43% Alc./Vol.
  • Base: 90% Grain, 10% California-grown Grapes
  • No additives. No added sugar. Gluten free.
  • Flavor Profile: Silky-smooth, clean, and crisp with subtle complexity from California grapes; naturally smooth finish
  • Best For: Neat, over ice, Vodka Tonic, Mule, Lemon Drop, Sparkling Lemonade

Distillation Process

Gray Whale Gin is produced through a 7-step distillation process:

  1. Base Spirit: The process begins with a gluten-free corn base spirit distilled 6 times — creating a clean, neutral canvas for the botanicals.
  2. Botanical Preparation: Six California botanicals are packed into a botanical basket which hangs over the base spirit in the still, allowing the liquid to absorb their aromatic flavors.
  3. Final Botanical Distillation: Alcohol vapors gently heat the botanical mixture. Once cooled and condensed, the fresh Gray Whale Gin rests for 48 hours to establish harmonious balance of taste and aroma.

Sustainability Commitments

  • 1% For The Planet Member: Gray Whale Spirits pledges at least 1% of annual sales to environmental causes through 1% For The Planet (onepercentfortheplanet.org).
  • Surfrider Foundation Partner: Supporting beach cleanups, coastal restoration, and education programs. Targeting removal of 750,000+ pounds of trash from U.S. coastlines over three years.
  • Sustainably Sourced Botanicals: All six gin botanicals are sustainably sourced or wild harvested along the California coastline.
  • Sustainable Apparel: Gray Whale's merchandise line is produced from recycled and organic materials.
  • No Additives: Both spirits are crafted without artificial additives, added sugars, or unnecessary ingredients.

Awards & Recognition

Gray Whale Gin — 2024

  • International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC): 95 Points — Gold
  • Los Angeles International Spirits Competition: 92 Points — Gold
  • San Diego International Wine and Spirits Challenge: 92 Points — Gold
  • San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Gold

Conservation Partnerships

Surfrider Foundation logo

  • Surfrider Foundation — surfrider.org — Coastal cleanup and ocean conservation
  • 1% For The Planet — onepercentfortheplanet.org — Environmental giving pledge

Brand Voice & Positioning

  • Tagline: "Refreshing Coastal Spirits"
  • Positioning: A premium, sustainability-driven craft spirits brand rooted in California coastal culture and ocean conservation
  • Core Values: Craft, Conservation, California Coastline, Community
  • Tone: Adventurous, warm, coastal, purposeful
  • Visual Identity: Pacific coastline palette; inspired by the gray whale migration route

Brand Logo

Gray Whale Spirits logo

Media & Press Contact

For press inquiries, partnership requests, or high-resolution brand assets, please contact Gray Whale Spirits via graywhalespirits.com.

Social: Follow @graywhalegin for the latest news, cocktail recipes, and ocean conservation updates.