Hernö’s Jon Hillgren Inducted into Gin Magazine’s Hall of Fame

Hernö’s Jon Hillgren has joined an incredibly small group of gin geniuses after becoming the youngest inductee into Gin Magazine’s Hall of Fame.

To be rewarded with a place in the prestigious Hall of Fame, inductees are all measured by their impact on the world of Gin.

Announced at Gin Magazine’s annual awards, Sam Coyne, Editor and part of the Hall of Fame panel said:

“When considering this year’s Gin Magazine Hall of Fame inductees, Jon’s name was one that received unanimous approval. While relatively new to the industry compared to our other inductees, the impact he has made on the industry has meant that quality gins, made well and with passion, can come from anywhere in the globe. Individually, it is clear that he has poured everything into the brand and today they are a household name for gin-lovers, thanks to him.”

Jon Hillgren commented:

“It is a great honour to enter The Gin Magazine Hall of Fame, joining legends such as Christopher Hayman and Charles Maxwell. I’m tremendously fortunate and grateful for this prestigious award of course, but also to have the privilege do what I love day in and day out together with my fantastic team.”

Jon’s Journey to The Hall of Fame

It all started back in 1999 when Jon Hillgren headed to London together with a few friends to start working as bartenders. He quickly discovered gin and instantly fell in love with it.

During the years that followed, his passion for the drink evolved into gin crafting, and after numerous gin tastings, academic studies and technical visits to distilleries around the world, Jon finally founded the Hernö Gin Distillery in 2011. At the time, it was Sweden’s first dedicated gin distillery and the world’s northernmost gin distillery.

The distillery is located in the village of Dala just outside the City of Härnösand in Ångermanland, Sweden. All part of the UNESCO world heritage area called The High Coast of Sweden, it is an area of real natural beauty.

Jon takes inspiration from this beauty to create a truly organic, artisan gin with the finest botanicals. To stay true to its Swedish heritage, the distillery is built in a traditional Swedish manor in wood painted in red and white.

Hernö is now available in 25 countries around the world and between 2012-17, Hernö was the most awarded gin in Europe. British Airways’s in-flight magazine ‘Highlife’ describes it as the best distillery in the world to taste gin.

While the Hall of Fame place is a huge honour for Jon, we’re sure his journey in the world of Gin has only just started!