Smidgin started with two gin lovers, Ivan and Graeme, who weren’t just looking for a good gin, they were after the one Their search took them from mountain trails to alembic stills, and finally to Skopje, where they set up our small MCM distillery.
Smidgin is more than a drink. It’s a celebration of North Macedonia’s wild nature, especially the fresh juniper berries and mountain tea that grow high on our hills. That’s why we distill everything here, close to the source, in small batches, using only what we need and nothing we don’t.
Ivan Skenderoski and Graeme Lowther are two friends, founders, and gin enthusiasts. Both were inspired by the craft gin movement in Scotland. After years of experimenting with alembic stills, they stumbled upon something extraordinary: the vibrant flavor of freshly foraged juniper berries from the Macedonian mountains. They knew then, the best gin deserved to be made where the berries grow.
That’s where Milica comes in.
Milica Pletvarska, our master distiller and experienced enologist, joined the journey with her deep knowledge of wine and brandy. On a tour of distilleries in London and Edinburgh, the trio shaped their gin-making philosophy. Milica aimed to create a distinctive mouthfeel without using additives like glycerin.
Her secret?
Wild Macedonian mountain tea, an herb known not just for its flavor, but for its health benefits too. Fascinated by botanicals, Milica carefully balanced complexity, aroma, and smoothness crafting a gin that’s as refined as it is rooted in nature.
Milica Pletvarska, our master distiller and experienced enologist, joined the journey with her deep knowledge of wine and brandy. On a tour of distilleries in London and Edinburgh, the trio shaped their gin-making philosophy. Milica aimed to create a distinctive mouthfeel without using additives like glycerin.
Her secret?
Wild Macedonian mountain tea, an herb known not just for its flavor, but for its health benefits too. Fascinated by botanicals, Milica carefully balanced complexity, aroma, and smoothness crafting a gin that’s as refined as it is rooted in nature.
Smidgin is more than a gin, it's a place, a progress, and a passion. Every bottle is distilled and bottled in the iconic MCM building in Debar Maalo, one of Skopje's most recognizable landmarks. Originally the house of the Ruben family, this place now holds our small copper alembic still where precision, tradition, and flavor come together.
Inside, everything is done the old-fashioned way by hand, with heart. Each bottle is carefully filled, sealed with our signature red wax, and labeled one at a time by our own distillers. No conveyor belts. No shortcuts. Just a small team, steady hands, and a commitment to doing things properly, because every detail matters when you're making something this good.
SMIDGIN BOTTLE
SMIDGIN BOTTLESustainability isn't just a trend for us, it's part of how we distill, bottle, and serve.
• We use locally sourced ingredients to support our community and reduce our footprint.
• We reuse, our bottle return program helps us keep waste low and vibes high.
• We pack your gin in eco-friendly boxes because the planet deserves good packaging too.
Skenderoski and Lowther DOO Skopje
Boulevard Ilinden 80, Skopje, Macedonia
+389 76 405 175
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Skenderoski and Lowther DOO Skopje
Boulevard Ilinden 80, Skopje, Macedonia
+389 76 405 175
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