A California gin inspired by Big Sur and its Pacific views is not hard to notice.

Gray Whale Gin is cool and contemporary, with its distinctive sky blue bottle that expresses clearly the distillery’s commitment to sourcing ingredients—and to environmental concerns. One percent of the sale of each bottle is donated to the nonprofit Oceana.

While Golden State Distillery is located in Sebastopol, it was Big Sur that provided both the inspiration for the label and the ingredient that defines the spirit. While on a camping trip to the storied coastline, owners Marsh and Jan Mokhtari spotted a gray whale mother and her calf heading north on their annual migration. Naturally they thought of gin—not just any gin, but one with botanicals drawn from the whale’s route: Big Sur, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Mendocino and so on. The distillery works with farms and orchards that use sustainable practices for many of these ingredients, but the juniper is foraged wild in Big Sur.

So it comes with a backstory that has influencer appeal. But the spirit itself is contemporary—a style that evens the botanical playing field. Aromas of citrus and mint are a friendly gesture, even in the presence of a resinous depth. The sensation of pine needles is fresher on the palate, brightened by citrus and a distant notion of mint. The earthier pale associated with juniper soon strides to the fore, but there are softer impressions—a mellow and slightly sweet nuttiness, a hint of seaworn stone—that make this a gin to be enjoyed neat. Plus the bottle is an inviting addition to the shelf.