🥃 Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia
Galician herb spirit based on Orujo de Galicia pomace brandy, flavoured with at least three herbs: EU protected name, 37.5–50 % vol., sugar under 100 g/l.
Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia (in Galician, Augardente de herbas de Galicia) is an EU protected geographical indication for a spirit from Galicia. It is based on Orujo de Galicia pomace brandy, flavoured with at least three kinds of herbs. Strength ranges from 37.5 to 50 % vol., sugar stays under 100 g/l, and the colour runs from straw to greenish yellow.
Protected name. The Galician government recognised the name by an order of 8 September 2004, and it appears in the EU register from 2008. Today it falls under Regulation (EU) 2019/787 in the group of 'other spirit drinks', because the herbs take the spirit out of the category of pomace brandies. The name is managed by the joint regulatory council of Galician traditional spirits and liqueurs, and inspection is carried out by the Ingacal institute.
Raw material and production. Grapes, pomace and lees; distillation and preparation take place only in Galicia. Pomace is distilled in a pot still together with the herbs, or herbs are steeped in finished orujo. Traditional plants include mint, chamomile, lemon verbena, rosemary, oregano, thyme, coriander, orange blossom, fennel, liquorice, nutmeg and cinnamon. Flavourings, extracts, essences and added alcohol are forbidden.
History. The technical file traces the tradition back to 16th- and 17th-century pharmacies, including the Royal Hospital in Santiago de Compostela, where herbal infusions were made as medicines. In the 19th century the drink, known as a 'stomach' or 'aromatic' spirit, was mentioned by Rosalía de Castro and Emilia Pardo Bazán, and in 1878 herbal distillates were shown at an exhibition in Lugo.
Why it matters to you. The herbs give aroma, not health benefits: in the EU, health claims on drinks above 1.2 % vol. are banned, although the spirit was once sold as a 'stomach' remedy. On a genuine bottle, look for the GI name and the council's control label with its logo. This is a strong spirit of up to 50 % vol. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | other spirit drink (no separate category); EU geographical indication since 2008 |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/787; Galician government order of 8 September 2004; council regulatory rules of 3 January 2012 |
| Raw material | Galician pomace and lees (base Orujo de Galicia), at least three kinds of herbs |
| Distillation method | pomace distilled with the herbs in a pot still below 86 % vol., or herbs steeped in orujo |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 37.5 to 50 % vol.; sugar under 100 g/l |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia → kind of → 🍇 Pomace spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Made from
- 🥃 Orujo de Galicia, 🥃 Pomace, 🍇 Albariño, 🍇 Mencía
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 📍 Ribeira Sacra
- Part of
- 🍇 Pomace spirits
- Related to
- 📍 Galicia
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Pomace brandy, 🥃 Bayerischer Kräuterlikör, 🍸 Liqueurs, 🥃 Herbero de la Sierra de Mariola, 🥃 Hierbas Ibicencas, 🥃 Hierbas de Mallorca
Frequently asked questions
Is Galician herb spirit good for the stomach?
No. It was historically called a 'stomach' spirit, but in the EU health claims on drinks above 1.2 % vol. are banned. It is a strong spirit of 37.5–50 % vol.
How does Aguardiente de hierbas differ from Orujo de Galicia?
Orujo de Galicia is pure pomace brandy without flavouring; herb spirit is the same distillate, infused or distilled with at least three herbs.
How does herb spirit differ from Galician herbal liqueur?
Herb spirit has less than 100 g/l sugar and 37.5–50 % vol.; Licor de hierbas de Galicia is a separate GI in the liqueur category and is sweeter.
Which herbs go into Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia?
At least three kinds; traditional ones are mint, chamomile, lemon verbena, rosemary, oregano, thyme, coriander, orange blossom, fennel, liquorice, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Can flavourings be added to Galician herb spirit?
No. The technical file forbids flavourings, extracts, essences and any added alcohol; only natural herbs, sweeteners and food colourings are allowed.
What to read next
- 🍇 Albariño — A white grape of the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula: according to VIVC it comes from Portugal, where it is called Alvarinho; the main variety of Rías Baixas in Galicia.
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🥃 Bayerischer Kräuterlikör — Protected EU geographical indication for herbal liqueurs of Bavaria: spirit infusions of herbs, roots, flowers and spices, sweetened with sugar or honey; at least 15 % vol.
- 📍 Ribeira Sacra — Dizzying terraces above the Miño and Sil rivers.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Aguardente Bagaceira da Região dos Vinhos Verdes · 🥃 Aguardente Bagaceira Alentejana · 🥃 Orujo de Galicia · 🥃 Marc d'Alsace Gewurztraminer · 🥃 Aguardente Bagaceira Alentejo · 🥃 Marc d'Auvergne
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- eAmbrosia — EU geographical indications register: Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia (EUGI00000015359), spirit drink, Spain; GI, category 'other spirit drinks', EU protection 13.02.2008; producer group: CR de las IIGG de los Aguardientes y Licores Tradicionales de Galicia
- eAmbrosia: technical file 'Aguardiente de Hierbas de Galicia', February 2017, Ref. Ares(2017)806940 (base Orujo de Galicia; maceration and/or distillation with herbs; 37.5–50 % vol.; sugar < 100 g/l; min. three plant species; flavourings, extracts, essences and added alcohol forbidden; regional GI by Order of 8 September 2004)
- Xunta de Galicia, Agacal: Ficha técnica IIXX das Augardentes e Licores Tradicionais de Galicia (2025) — Augardente de Herbas de Galicia: min. 3 plant species, sugar < 100 g/l, 37.5–50 % vol.; Order of 3 January 2012 (common regulatory council)
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Spain — Aguardiente de sidra de Asturias (10. Cider spirit and perry spirit), Licor de hierbas de Galicia (32. Liqueur), Aguardiente de hierbas de Galicia (Other spirit drinks)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: cat. 6 grape marc spirit (not flavoured), cat. 10 cider spirit and perry spirit (distilled < 86 %, min. 37.5 %, not flavoured, caramel only for colour), cat. 33 liqueur (sugar from 100 g/l)
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims, Art. 4(3): no health claims on beverages over 1.2 % vol.
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)