The night we discovered KROKU (and we didn't expect it)

We were having a night out with friends at a bar on Lake Garda when Nicola, a professional bartender, pulled out this bottle. "Guys, you have to try this." Just from the color, you can tell it's not your typical artisanal gin : it has this unique, almost golden hue that piques your curiosity.

"It's Pozzolengo saffron, " he explains, sounding like he's about to reveal a secret. And we, a little skeptical at first (come on, saffron in gin?), smell it. And then something unexpected happens.

That scent that takes you back to the moraine hills

We're not kidding: that scent literally took us back to walks through the moraine hills of Lake Garda . You know when you're walking through nature and you stop just to breathe deeply? That's the feeling. A mix of flowers, aromatic herbs, and that earthy aroma.

By then, we were already hooked, but Nicola doesn't stop. He grabs some Indian tonic, ice, and prepares this long drink for us, which—we swear—is one of the most thirst-quenching and delicate things we've ever had. Notes of angelica gently greet you, then the Pozzolengo saffron arrives: bold, present, but not overpowering. A balance you rarely find in a saffron gin .

The story behind the bottle (the real one)

Naturally, at this point we bombard Nicola with questions. "But how the hell do you make a craft gin like this?" And here the story gets even better.

He tells us that KROKU was born from his desire to pass on to his children the fruit of years of expertise in spirits and a deep knowledge of the Lake Garda area. It's not marketing, it's literally a project of love. A father who wants to leave something tangible, authentic, that speaks of roots and excellence.

As we continue drinking it—yes, we've had another round, we couldn't stop—we understand exactly what he means. Every sip speaks of the terroir, the care, the passion. It's not just a spirit, it's a piece of the history of the moraine hills in a bottle.

Why we recommend it (after having tested it seriously)

Look, we at Lake Garda artisanal gins have tried quite a few. It's part of our job, but also our personal pleasure (someone has to do it, right?). And KROKU stands out for several reasons:

• Pozzolengo saffron is not a whim: it is the soul of the product, you can feel it, you can experience it
• The artisanal production is evident – ​​it is not one of those industrial gins that tastes all about alcohol and nothing about the territory.
• It's versatile: fantastic neat if you want to appreciate its complexity, perfect in a gin and tonic if you want something easier
• It has a true story, not invented by the marketing department
• That scent really takes you to the hills – and that's not rhetoric, it's what we've all smelled.

Who do we recommend it to?

If you're the type who wants to hear a story, not just the alcohol, when drinking a craft gin . If you love Lake Garda and want to take home (or give as a gift) an authentic piece of this region. If you enjoy surprising guests with something they've never tried before. Or if you're simply curious to discover what happens when Pozzolengo saffron meets a spirit crafted with skill and passion.

Oh, and if you want more info or have any questions—like "what should I pair it with?" or "can I use it to make a Negroni?"— just drop us a line! That's what we're here for, too.

Bring home the scents of the moraine hills. Discover KROKU, the gin that tells the story of Lake Garda.