BOTANICALS
All the botanicals used in this unique recipe are characteristic of the Mediterranean scrub of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and grow spontaneously on the Island of Elba.
Even the water we use flows from the heart of the island and more precisely in Poggio, on the slopes of the highest peak on Elba: Mount Capanne, with its more than 1000 meters of height.
Fonte Napoleone offers us one of the 5 best Italian waters and is excellent for distilling thanks to its low fixed residue.
Move the cursor over the botanicals to discover the secrets of our ingredients.
All the botanicals used in this unique recipe are characteristic of the Mediterranean scrub of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and grow spontaneously on the Island of Elba.
Even the water we use flows from the heart of the island and more precisely in Poggio, on the slopes of the highest peak on Elba: Mount Capanne, with its more than 1000 meters of height.
Fonte Napoleone offers us one of the 5 best Italian waters and is excellent for distilling thanks to its low fixed residue.
Myrtle
In Elba is also called “Mortella”, it is a typical Mediterranean plant that grows abundantly on the island, in the pine forests, from the hills to the sea. It is a very fragrant plant with medicinal properties, appreciated since ancient times when it was sacred to Venus.
Wild Mint
It is a perennial plant that grows spontaneously in the grassy areas of Elba and is widely used in the kitchen thanks to its intense and unmistakable aroma. In the past it was linked to very imaginative healing properties: it was thought to be a prodigious invigorator for animals and could cure elephantiasis.
Liquorice
It is a rustic perennial herbaceous plant, i.e. resistant to frost, which grows in calcareous and clayey soils. Sweeter than sucrose, it is used in herbal medicine, cooking, pastry making and in Chinese medicine. Its active ingredient gives it an anti-inflammatory and antiviral action.
Juniper
It is a plant with few water needs, which is why it is easy to find it where other plants are unable to grow due to summer droughts. It is characterized by a pleasant smell of resinous essence and its oil was once used to treat rheumatic, digestive, respiratory and urinary disorders.
Dried Chestnuts
Typical of the elevated areas of the island, the large chestnut woods are found on the slopes of Monte Capanne around Poggio and Marciana.
Coriander
Coriander is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the same family as fennel and parsley. Carnival confetti take their name from its sugar-coated seeds, which later became chalk pellets and today colored paper disks.
Sea lettuce
It is a very common green algae in the Mediterranean seas. It is harvested in spring and autumn when its bright green color reflects the richness of nutrients such as mineral salts and trace elements. Used in the cuisine of many Nordic countries, Japanese and in some traditional Neapolitan recipes.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, hints of Mediterranean scrub prevail: myrtle and just a hint of wild mint blend with a light salty note given by the algae. In the mouth the flavor is fresh and aromatic, with juniper that is never invasive but present to impart balsamic notes. The finish is soft thanks to the dried chestnuts and the natural sweetness of the juniper berries. Helba, due to its aromas and delicacy, goes perfectly with “Indian” tonics which enhance its taste without adding anything.
VISIT THE SHOP
Helba Gin 70 cl
45€
Hand silk-screened Helba gin box
7€
NIO Cocktails Porto Azzurro – pack of three
17€
Tasting box
40€
Couple of Helba Balloon glass
15€
Print “From the Heart of an Island”
30€
Born on the Island of Elba, distilled in Umbria
Anonima Distillazioni was born in 2018 in Gubbio in Umbria from the idea of creating a distillery as they were only created in the past, a place where you can create a line of products with ancient flavors and traditions.
Land of monasteries and ancient crafts, Gubbio was the perfect setting to open a new distillery: where alchemy has always been the subject of study for monks, pharmacists and hucksters.
Every process of Anonima Distillazioni is carried out in the name of craftsmanship:
Small batch production
With a 200 liter still, every single production is taken care of down to the smallest detail.
Customized alembic
Made specifically for Anonima by Frilli, the discontinuous carter head still is perfect for the production of London Dry Gin.
Handmade
the entire production process, from distillation to packaging, is entirely done by hand.
