Solar Branco Gin Library
A 19th-century mansion houses the largest collection of gin in the European Union.
Solar Branco is a mansion that was built in the hills of Sao Miguel, the largest island in the Portuguese Azores, in 1885. Today, the estate has been converted into a hotel with an unusual feature: its very own Gin Library.
Assembled over the course of the owner’s travels—and, more recently, from contributions by traveling Atlas Obscura readers—the collection now includes more than 580 gins in all flavors, shapes, and sizes. The massive array of glistening bottles boasts origin stories that span the world over, ranging from the United Kingdom to Japan, France to South Africa, and Australia to Israel.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own bottles of gin, and there’s added incentive to procure a rare variety. If you come bearing a bottle that’s not already in the collection, you earn a free tasting of the wares. Otherwise, guests are welcome to sample the diverse array of booze for a fee. If cocktails are more your cup of gin, the library also serves plenty of expertly crafted G&Ts.
Know Before You Go
While the hotel doesn't open until 2023, the Gin Library is open for tastings by appointment.
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