The Magnolias of Polish Distilling Heritage

Discovering the Story Behind a Polish Craft Gin Tradition

In the world of craft spirits, few products capture the essence of place, family, and creativity as beautifully as Heritage Magnolia Gin. Born from the combined passions of two Polish entrepreneurs — a microbiologist and an archaeologist — this gin embodies not just botanical excellence, but a narrative that bridges history, home, and innovation. What began as a shared dream has grown into one of the most respected Polish craft gins on the global stage.

Heritage Magnolia Gin is not a typical entry in the crowded gin market. Its roots run deep through the landscapes of Poland’s past and present, blending rare botanicals with a deeply personal story of heritage, tradition, and reinvention.

A Family’s Journey: From Stories to Spirits

Heritage Magnolia Gin was conceived by Aleksandra and Marcin Czajkiewicz, a husband-and-wife team from Szczecin, a city in northwest Poland with a rich multicultural history. Their brand’s identity draws inspiration from their family’s legacy, tracing back to ancestors from Poland’s Eastern Borderlands — regions now part of Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine. After World War II, their families resettled in Szczecin, greeted by magnolia trees blooming in the city’s streets. This imagery would later become the heart of their gin’s story.

For the creators, “heritage” is more than an abstract concept; it’s the family narratives, traditions, and memories that shaped their upbringing. These stories influenced not only the gin’s name but also its composition — blending botanicals that recall the landscapes and flavors of the Eastern Borderlands alongside the vibrant energy of Szczecin itself. Blackcurrants, blueberries, pine, cranberry, mint and juniper all play a part in weaving these connections into the spirit.

The Path to Craft Gin

Although both founders had successful careers — Aleksandra in microbiology and digital marketing, and Marcin in archaeology and later marketing within the spirits industry — they longed for something that allowed them to marry passion with purpose. Their travels around the world sparked a fascination with gin’s diversity, leading them to explore how local cultures interpret this classic spirit. In 2020, during a trip to Poland’s scenic Low Beskids, they asked themselves a pivotal question: “What do we want to do with our lives?” The answer was simple but profound — create their own gin.

This leap from aspiration to action began in earnest. Drawing on Aleksandra’s science background and Marcin’s industry experience, they spent months researching botanicals, experimenting with maceration techniques, and crafting a recipe that would reflect both their heritage and their shared love of flavour exploration. Today, Heritage Magnolia Gin stands as a testament to that journey.

Crafting a Unique Botanical Symphony

What truly sets Heritage Magnolia Gin apart is its botanical profile. At its core is dried magnolia, a rare and complex ingredient rarely seen in gin production. Magnolia brings a spectrum of flavors — from sweet and floral to earthy or slightly sour — depending on how it’s balanced within the botanical mix. Around this centerpiece, the Czajkiewiczs built a complex blend of 19 botanicals, including:

• Italian juniper — the backbone of gin
• Florentine iris and sweet woodruff
• Blackcurrant, cranberry, and apple
• Pine shoots, mint, and sage
• Ginger, cubeb pepper, and citrus peels

This meticulous combination results in a gin that is floral, fruity, herbaceous, and spicy — all while maintaining balance. The process itself reflects the couple’s dedication to quality: each ingredient is hand-prepared, juniper berries are gently crushed for hours to unlock their aroma, and the botanicals undergo a 24-hour maceration in high-quality neutral Polish grain spirit before distillation.

Heritage Magnolia Gin is distilled in a copper alembic using both traditional pot-still methods and steam infusion. It is deliberately not chill-filtered, a choice that preserves flavour complexity and natural character. When ice, water, or tonic is added, a soft haze can appear — a mark of its artisanal craft.

Global Recognition and Awards

Even though Heritage Magnolia Gin is produced in limited batches — each hand-numbered and individually filled — its impact has been disproportionate to its size. Since its debut in October 2021, the gin has become one of the most awarded Polish craft gins in the world. It has garnered a string of prestigious honors, including:

• “Best Contemporary Gin” at the World Gin Awards 2023 in the UK
• Gold and double gold medals in international spirit competitions
• Recognition at major European tastings for its elegance and depth

These accolades reflect both technical excellence and the emotional resonance of a spirit rooted in story and place. Heritage Magnolia Gin doesn’t just compete — it stands out.

More Than One Expression: Expanding the Heritage Range

While Magnolia remains the flagship expression, the brand continues to extend its palette. A notable example is Heritage Baltic Gin, inspired by the Baltic Sea coast and distinguished by sea buckthorn (known locally as “Baltic olive”). This variant uses a different set of botanicals — around 14 in total — and features a maceration method lasting up to 30 days for the sea buckthorn to fully infuse its character into the spirit. Like its sibling, Baltic Gin is distilled in small batches and celebrates Poland’s natural diversity and cultural heritage.

Enjoying Heritage Magnolia Gin: From Neat to Cocktails

Heritage Magnolia Gin is versatile both in tasting and mixing. Connoisseurs praise it neat or with just a splash of water to appreciate its aromatic layers. For classic cocktails, bartenders often recommend:

• Gin & Tonic — with a Mediterranean tonic, garnished with apple and lemon for balance
• Negroni — where gin’s botanical depth holds its own against bitter and sweet elements
• Bramble — combining fruity complexity with gin’s aromatic structure

These serve as excellent introductions to the spirit’s nuanced profile, but adventurous drinkers might also explore new recipes that highlight the floral and herbal notes.

A Legacy of Passion, Not Just Production

What makes Heritage Magnolia Gin truly compelling is not just what’s in the bottle — it’s the story behind it. The blend of family history, regional botanicals, meticulous craftsmanship, and genuine passion gives it a soul that transcends typical craft spirits. From the magnolia blossoms of Szczecin to international award stages, Heritage Magnolia Gin embodies a narrative of place, resilience, and creativity.

In an industry where many gins lean on trends or branding alone, Heritage Magnolia Gin reminds us that spirits can be both deeply personal and universally admired — a bridge between nostalgia and discovery, crafted one hand‑numbered bottle at a time.