ISLAND GIN by ginsociety

THE ISLAND GIN EDITION

GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Photo by William Sinclair on Unsplash

FOUNDER’S

WELCOME

Welcome to another cracking edition of the Gin Journal. The team has been working day and night to source one of the best gins from our friends across the ditch – and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. This edition sees us travel to Great Barrier Island in New Zealand’s outer Hauraki Gulf. 100 kilometres from Auckland, it’s a veritable oasis of sand, surf and solitude. So what better place to craft gin? Andi Ross – aka Madame Distiller – is the onewoman show behind this phenomenal spirit, and her Original Island Gin just won Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. There really is no higher accolade in this industry!

We sit down with Andi to discuss all things gin, glass bottles and her home on Great Barrier Island. We hope you enjoy being transported to her island home just as much as we did. And if you ever find yourself in Andi’s neck of the woods, you can stay in her beautiful little ‘bach’ – a simple two-person cottage that overlooks the wetlands on Medlands Beach and is just a 15-minute drive from the Island Gin distillery. We also sat down with Jagdev Singh to hear about his love affair with gin in our latest Ginsider, and Andi mixes up a handful of island cocktails that you can replicate in your home bar. As always, you can drop us a line at hello@ ginsociety.com. Pour yourself a glass, recline into your comfiest chair and soak up the island vibes in this special issue. Cheers!

KINA SHELLS ARE THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE UNIQUE DESIGN OF THE ISLAND GIN BOTTLE

Andrew Burge Founder, Gin Society

VISIT US AT WWW.GINSOCIETY.COM

4 MEET THE MAKER

Andi Ross: the magician behind Island Gin

14 COCKTAIL HOUR with Island Gin

Con 18 SEXY SUSTAINABILITY Crafting the bottle

The Gin Society team

Founder: Andrew Burge Director: Jagdev Singh Creative Director: Annah Lansdown Head of IT: Chris Richardson Membership Relations: Emily Prunty Designer: Tori Gibson Editor: Simon Jones

24 EXPLORING THE GREAT BARRIER

28 THE GINSIDER with Gin Society’s director Jagdev Singh

31 THE NZ GIN LIST Here’s our pick of 10 top-notch NZ gins you must try

ISLAND GIN EDITION

ntents

38 THE GIN LIBRARY Read all things gin

Get in touch | Gin Journal is the bi-monthly members’ magazine of the Gin Society. Members Got a question or query about your membership? We’re here to help. Drop us a line – hello@ginsociety.com

Events Hosting an event? Looking for unique gins or an organised tasting? Let’s talk – events@ ginsociety.com

Advertising We welcome enquiries about advertising and brand collaborations. Please contact sales – sales@ginsociety.com

Partnerships Launching a new gin? Opening a new venue or distillery? Let us know – partnerships@ginsociety.com

Andi Ross

Island G Meet the magician behind

Gin

FEATURE ARTICLE

ISLAND GIN

From playing around with botanicals on a tiny experimental still to winning the most prestigious award in spirits – Island Gin has come a long way in just a few short years. 5

Locally harvested Manuka and Bush Honey

Where creativity meets opportunity

Living off the grid comes with unmatched perks. For Andi Ross, Head Distiller at Island Gin on New Zealand’s Great Barrier Island, they come in the form of solitude, serenity and one of the most visually stunning places on the planet. But when it comes to running a business, particularly a gin distillery that has numerous moving parts, getting an idea off the ground can be challenging – no matter how delicious that idea tastes in a G&T.

“The most challenging element has been to get our bottles, labels and all the equipment set up on the island, which happens to be totally off-grid,” Andi says. “It is a five-hour barge trip across to the island east of Auckland, and

sometimes the boat won’t sail due to bad weather. You need to be thinking and planning ahead by a few months to ensure nothing goes wrong.” The former Creative Director has always been fascinated by gin. Its flavour, its diversity of botanicals, and particularly the alchemy required to turn a neutral spirit into something truly unique. But when Andi started playing around with a two-litre alembic copper pot still, she didn’t think it would go anywhere beyond experimentation. Maybe she’d gift a few bottles to friends and family and they would be able to enjoy the fruits of her labour.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Fortunately for Andi, who has since been nicknamed ‘Madame Distiller’ by her cavalry of willing gin tasters, her prowess with a still goes well beyond the amateur home distiller. “I discovered that I really enjoyed toying around with island botanicals and started to get serious about creating my own gin. The lightbulb switched on when I added locally harvested Manuka and bush honey from a terrific island

ISLAND GIN

apiarist. I then worked with as many people as I could on distilling. “Once I had finalised the gin profile, I did a proof-of-concept run of 100 bottles and took them to our local island bottle store, The Rocks in Claris. The owner, Tiddles, happily supported Island Gin and it quickly sold out. That’s what gave me the courage to launch my own gin brand.”

LIVING OFF THE GRID COMES WITH UNMATCHED PERKS. FOR ANDI IT’S SOLITUDE, SERENITY AND ONE OF THE MOST VISUALLY STUNNING PLACES ON THE PLANET.

Photo Credit: Great Barrier Island Official

Great Barrier Reef Island

Navy Strength Island Gin, Original Island Gin and Chocolate Gin

No time to waste Solar Powered Bottle Machine

ANDI DECIDED TO TURN THE PANDEMIC TO HER ADVANTAGE BY SHAPING THE BRAND TO DRAW IN INTRIGUED CUSTOMERS

Despite her immediate success locally, Andi couldn’t have chosen a worse time to take her brand beyond Great Barrier Island’s borders. It was November 2019 when she began, and COVID-19 was just a few short months from sweeping the planet. Not exactly the ideal time to penetrate new markets.

FEATURE ARTICLE

ISLAND GIN

BEING ON-ISLAND THEY WERE ESSENTIALLY MAROONED UNTIL BORDERS OPENED UP

able to send their bottles of Island Gin off the island with contactless delivery.”

Head Distiller Andi Ross

Great Barrier Island was closed off to visitors from virtually the first case of COVID, and for Andi it felt like she was stationed on the last paradise on Earth. Then she won a NZ Spirits Award for Innovation in 2020. But, determined as ever, Andi decided to turn the pandemic to her advantage. Namely, by shaping the brand of Island Gin and drawing an intrigued customer base her to spirits via completely online means. “Being on-island, we were essentially marooned here until borders opened up. This gave me the opportunity to focus entirely on distilling and creating the business. In a strange way it helped us – a lot of our customers found us online and we were

“We were all still in lockdown so there was no physical awards ceremony, but that accolade put us on the map with bespoke wine and spirits stores across New Zealand. I enjoy working with these types of businesses because they can spend time discussing the merit of our gin with their customers, much like you would a bottle of fine wine.”

Taking the gin world by storm That award wouldn’t be Island Gin’s last. In fact, just days ago she received word her Original Island Gin snagged the most prestigious award in the world of gin: Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022. “To win a Double Gold means the judges have unanimously agreed on the excellence of the product. For a growing brand like ours, this is a

significant win against a highly competitive field of entrants from all over the world. “It’s an outstanding result for our off-grid boutique distillery, and we were the only gin from New Zealand to win a Double Gold this year. Additionally, our Navy Strength won a Gold too. Needless to say we are super excited!”

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ORIGINAL ISLAND GIN won DOUBLE GOLD at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022

Botanicals of Original Island Gin

THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD IN THE WORLD OF GIN Off the back of her biggest gong yet, Andi is excited about what the future holds for Island Gin. https://islandgin.com/

FEATURE ARTICLE

ISLAND GIN

Medlands Beach I Great Barrier Island

THE ISLAND GIN DISTILLERY SET-UP Once she knew she was onto a winner with her finely tuned recipe, Andi swapped out her two-litre alembic for a 220-litre copper pot still with a column. And it’s here that the gin truly takes on a life of its own. “I use the column in my distillation process instead of just the traditional lyne-arm approach,” she says. “It imparts a more delicate gin, which is what I am after for my profile. “Island Gin has a definite louche – in winter or colder environments, the gin will cloud. There are a lot of botanical oils that I get across in my distillation run, so it’s nothing to be concerned about. You will notice that if you place your bottle in a sunny place, that cloudiness will clear.” While some brands use an opaque bottle design to shroud the louche, Andi embraces it. “It’s an endothermic reaction – the gin takes on the conditions external to itself. So we choose not to hide it. Basically, it means the gin is packed with more flavour and aroma. Some distillers chill-filter these out, but they also end up removing the flavour through this process.”

FEATURE ARTICLE

ISLAND GIN

A NDI ’ S DE S E RT IS L A ND GINS

TARQUIN’S CORNISH GIN “It is so lovely and Tarquin, the head distiller, started ahead of the curve in 2012. What he has achieved is remarkable.” A citrusy take on a London dry style gin. https://www.tarquinsgin.com

NEVER NEVER JUNIPER FREAK GIN “What Tim has created is the first gin I really fell in love with.” An aromatic, flavoursome gin. At 58% abv, the juniper leaps from the bottle.

https://neverneverdistilling.com.au

ROOTS MARLBOROUGH DRY GIN “I recently spent time with Ben at Elemental, and our love of all things gin and science brings out the gin geek in us.” A crisp and robust ‘London Dry’ style gin. Produced on estate at the Elemental Distillery, in the heart of the Marlborough wine region. https://www.elementaldistillerscom

RECIPES Escape to an island sanctuary in your mind while sipping on one of these dreamy cocktails. Andi’ s top cocktail picks are perfect for every environment – whether you are relaxing on a warm beach or curled up in a blanket in the middle of winter.

BARRIER BEES KNEES

Cocktails on Barrier Bees Knees 60mL Island Gin 30mL fresh lemon juice 22mL honey syrup Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with one large ice cube. Shake until chilled. Strain into chilled Coupe glass.

A simple threeingredient cocktail that uses honey as the key.

RECIPES

Medlands Mule 30mL Island Gin Juice of half a lime Ginger beer Dash of chocolate bitters Pour gin and squeeze lime juice into a long glass. Drop in the used lime skin, then add a large cube of ice. Pour cold ginger beer to the lip of the glass and add two dashes of chocolate bitters. Garnish with a fresh sprig of island mint.

A slight spin on a classic

island time 15 MEDLANDS MULE

RECIPES

Island Negroni 30mL Island Gin 30mL Campari 30mL Martini Rosso vermouth Stir down all ingredients in a cocktail jug with a few large ice cubes until chilled. Pour into glass tumbler over a two-inch ice cube. Garnish with a slice of island-grown orange.

A modern take on the famous Bloody Mary.

RED SNAPPER

RECIPES

Andi’ s go-to winter warmer.

From the distiller’ s lips ISLAND NEGRONI

Red Snapper 45mL Island Gin 120mL tomato juice, freshly squeeze and strained Lime wedge Worcestershire sauce Salt and pepper Pour gin and tomato juice into a glass over ice. Add a squeeze of lime, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a good grind of black pepper. Salt rim of the glass. Give it a good stir before enjoying.

“Island Gin represents the terroir of Great Barrier Island. Through its palate of honey, it imparts a smoothness of mouthfeel. Slightly stronger than a standard gin – at 43.2% ABV – I love the way it shines in a classic G&T. The gin itself is quite delicate, and you really can taste the honey. It’s not sharp like other gin can be. It works well in many of the classic cocktails too.” — Andi Ross, Head Distiller at Island Gin

Cr af ti n g th e b ot tl e

Sexy sustainability Bei ng locate d o n a r e m ote i sl a n d m e a ns Andi is alr e ady more ac c u sto m e d to su sta i n a b l e p r actice s th an th e aver a g e p e r so n . B u t sh e ta k e s i t to th e ne x t le ve l with a comp r e h e n si v e d e d i c ati o n to w h at s h e calls “ s e x y s u sta i na b i li t y ” . R i g h t at th e h e a rt of h e r mis s io n is o ne of t he most b e au ti f u l g i n b ot tl e s yo u a r e e ve r lik e ly to own.

Made for the future Because Andi began her distilling journey thinking it would only be made for family and friends, she says it would have been easy to buy a generic off-the-shelf bottle from a European supplier, which is what most distillers do. However, doing that never felt right given that her spirits would be crafted in the pristine environment of Great Barrier Island, which is 68% owned and protected by the Department of Conservation.

So she looked much closer to home. Just a boat ride to the mainland, in fact. And she’s never looked back. “It has taken about four years to get it across the line, but I am forever grateful that we have our bottles manufactured right here in Auckland,” Andi says. “Once I started on my gin journey, I knew that I wanted a locally made bottle that was as sustainable as possible.”

Cr af ti n g th e b ot tl e

“

Once I started on my gin journey, I knew that I wanted a locally made bottle that was as sustainable as possible.

” Stumbling over KIna Beyond the sustainability element, Andi also knew her gin would have to stand out amongst a sea of established and new entrants. The visual aspect, in many ways, has a larger sway over consumers than the flavour profile of what’s inside. So, once again, she looked closer to home and tried to figure out how she could exude the DNA of Great Barrier Island through her bottle. “A friend and fellow designer, Tanja Ledwich, visited me on the island during my initial product development. We spent hours wandering along the beach, stumbling over Kīna. We wondered whether they might hold some kind of design element.”

After playing around with various ideas, Andi and Tanja settled on the graphic nature of the nodules on the kina shell. With that in mind, she started approaching glass producers to see if they could made her dream a reality. Visy Glass, one of the major glass manufacturers in Auckland, ended up being the perfect choice. “They have been an incredibly supportive partner, persevering with my Kīna-shaped bottle design and agreeing for the first time to produce such a small run. This was new territory for Visy Glass too, as the bottle run explored packing glass in between colour changes, in this case Sea Green to Arctic Blue. It was complete serendipity and we couldn’t believe how perfect it was.”

Cr af ti n g th e b ot tl e

The finished pack age A key element of Andi’s vision was to create a bottle design that would be both instantly recognisable and an object for gin lovers to treasure. “I spent a long time conceptualising a bottle that was not only beautiful, but something that could be reused as a water or olive oil vessel – even a vase. Our friend and accomplished glass artist Ruth Allen is a part-time neighbour on Great Barrier Island. We collaborated on – and succeeded at – repurposing the bottles

into carafes. This is another example of how we extend the life of the bottle.” So when you are finished with your Island Gin, you can return it and have it transformed into a stunning cocktail carafe – a permanent fixture in your home bar, and a reminder of the sustainable mission that drives Andi.

Wh at i s Ki n a?

Kīna is a type of sea urchin native to New Zealand. Some can fit neatly in the palm of your hand while others grow to a whopping 17 centimetres. They have been part of the traditional Māori diet for generations and are said to taste like a combination of all the different types of seafood.

22 BRONZE KINA BOTTLE OPENER

GOLD

ISLAND GIN

2022 SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

ISLAND GIN NAVY

Nicknamed “Shark Alley” strength. At 57% it is not for the faint-hearted. Small batch distilled with Great Barrier Island Manuka & Bush honey. islandgin.com

EXPLORING

GREAT BARRIER ISLA

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Paracas Peninsula

“Bowling Alley Bay” @carolcomerphotography

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Image Credit

“The perfect secluded cabin”

Image Credit GREAT BARRIER ISLAND OFFICIAL s.gbi

@startreksnz

@fantailstorie

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CRAFTING PARADISE

Less than a thousand people are lucky enough to call Great Barrier Island home, despite the island being a sprawling 285 square kilometres in size. With most of the residents making their living in either farming or tourism, many describe a visit as being like jumping back in time. Laid-back, communal and home to one of the world’s best gins. What more could you want from your next holiday destination? “Arriving by plane on Barrier Air is an adventure,” Andi laughs. “It’s magical if you love flying in a 12-seater plane for the 30-minute trip across the Hauraki Gulf. On approach to Claris Airport, you are greeted with magnificent views of Kaitoke Beach. Andi lives for the island’s spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and there’s plenty to keep holidaymakers happy beyond simply relaxing to the sounds of nature.

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Image Credit @ca

Twin Pines Cabana

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“Tuis Bir ds” @carolcomer photog

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The majesty of Great Barrier Island is never lost on Andi. She and the other island residents understand how crucial it is to protect the natural beauty that surrounds them, which is why Island Gin is constantly evolving to become more sustainable. “Wherever possible, we try to limit plastic. The tamper seal on our bottles, for example, is paper. Our six-pack boxes

are made from recycled cardboard, as are our individual gift boxes. “We used local wood and carpenters from the island to make our distilling table, instead of buying one from the mainland. Our spent botanicals are taken to the local refuse centre and broken down into compost. Island Gin’s bottling machine is also 100% solar powered.

PROTECT

THE IS

“Finally, we encourage reuse of our empty Island Gin bottles. The local Irish pub uses them on their tables as water vessels. Other people use them as vases and olive oil containers.” The future looks bright for Island Gin, and Andi wants to make sure her home on Great Barrier Island has a bright future too.

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SLAND

YOUR VERY OWN ‘BACH’ PAD

When Andi sets her mind to something, success inevitably follows. And she’s nothing if not an entrepreneur who knows how to create something people love. In addition to her phenomenal Island Gin, she also owns a bach, which guests can stay at while on the island. A ‘bach’ is an iconic part of New Zealand’s lifestyle and culture, symbolising a humble abode close to nature. Andi’s bach is a twoperson cottage that she describes as “simple” but is a testament to her creative nature. “It became my first experimental lab where I spent hours playing around with making Island Gin,” she says. That ‘lab’ is now a popular accommodation spot that has even been featured in New Zealand’s HOME Magazine (Summer edition Dec 2021/Jan 2022). “Now you can stay in this beautiful little bach, which has been recently renovated, and enjoy the special addition of an architecturally designed ‘folly’ overlooking the wetlands on Medlands Beach.” After you’ve set down your gear and enjoyed the sights, smells and sounds of nature up-close, you can head down to the distillery in Kaitoke that’s just 15 minutes away. If you are keen to check out Andi’s stunning bach, make an enquiry about booking a stay: bach@islandgin.com.

The “Ba ch”

Martinez Recipe Ingredients: 45mL gin 45mL sweet vermouth 7.5mL Luxardo maraschino liqueur 2 dashes Angostura bitters Garnish: orange twist Method: Add the gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

THE GINSIDER Each month we talk to a Gin Society member or expert on all things gin. This issue, we’re lucky to be joined by a familiar face at the Gin Society. Jagdev Singh may be better known as a master of wines, but he’s got a soft spot for spirits too – no wonder he’s a director here!

194 LITTLE COLLINS ST, MELBOURNE VIC

How were you introduced to gin? My first true introduction happened when I was sitting downstairs at Freud’s (on Shaftesbury Avenue, London). I slowly worked my way across gins at the bar as a 21-year-old.

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It’s all about story and place – just like wine. The nuances of the different botanicals really make it for me. The sheer variety of gins that we are now exposed to is incredible as well.

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What makes gin such a special spirit for you?

How do you drink your gin? Strongly, straight over ice. And with my wife. Andrew Burge, and my wife Emily at Bijou and Gin Palace in March. Great venues and loads of laughs were had!

What are some of the new gins you’ve been trying lately? I have been loving Wolfrest Gin from Northern Italy. It’s mind-blowingly good. What’s your most memorable gin experience?

What are your three desert island gins? Melbourne Gin Company Single Shot, Rivo and Monkey 47.

JAGDEV SINGH

Definitely my most recent – and very memorable – experience was with the founder of Gin Society,

“

THE NUANCES OF THE DIFFERENT BOTANICALS REALLY MAKE IT FOR ME.

Melbourne Gin Company Single Shot Gin

RIVO Foraged Gin

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin

JAG’S DESERT ISLAND GINS

What do you like about being a director of Gin Society? I love being part of a fast-growing business that is bringing new gins into the Australian marketplace. We have loyal clients and a great team. What’s not to like? What have you noticed about the gin landscape in Australia recently?

“

I’ve noticed that the increase in gin sales has taken away from rosé sales. More and more people are having a gin as their first drink of the night. Consumers are also being super-adventurous with their gin choices, and in particular they are trusting us to give them something premium and unique. JAGDEV’S GIN GUIDE RIVO LAKE COMO FORAGEDW GIN : https://www.rivogin.com/en/home/ WOLFREST GIN: https://wolfrestgin.com/en/home-eng/ MELBOURNE GIN COMPANY SINGLE SHOT GIN: https://melbournegincompany.com/ MONKEY 47 SCHWARZWALD DRY GIN https://monkey47.com/

I HAVE BEEN LOVING WOLFREST FROM NORTHERN ITALY. IT’S MIND-BLOWINGLY GOOD. JAGDEV SINGH

WOLFREST GIN

LANGHE HILLS, ITALY

Conceived as a family project, Wolfrest Gin comes from Montelupo Albese, a small village in the heart of Langhe. The village sits atop of a hill not far from the Ligurian seaside. These elements, as well as the prestigious Barolo wine for which the Piedmont region is renowned worldwide, are represented in this phenomenal gin.

The Gin List MUST-TRY NZ GINS From seaside city of Taranaki to the ski fields of Cardrona, New Zealand is home to many a craft distillery producing spirits of the highest calibre. We round up ten noteworthy gins.

There’s a reason Juno was one of our first – and favourite – gins we sent out to Gin Society members. A classic London dry style gin, with subtle notes of pine, eucalyptus and juniper, almost slightly soapy, but leaves you wanting more. Juno is the ancient Roman goddess of love and marriage. Created by Jo and Dave James. Partners in business and life, they’ve been married for 35 years. Led by David’s passion for engineering and Jo’s love of gin, they decided to establish a distillery. They built out the flavour profile with orange, black peppercorns, Angelica root, kaffir lime leaves, green cardamom, Manuka and cassia bark, and water from nearby Mount Taranaki. A versatile London-style dry gin that drinks well in a martini (or dirty martini), on the rocks (how Dave, a whisky lover, enjoys it with a dash of water) and in a G&T. 40% Alc./Vol. www.ginsociety.com

"A juniper-led, aromatic gin, with a beautiful citrus sparkle to it and some peppery heat at the finish.”

Juno Extra Fine Gin

JUNO EXTRA FINE GIN

1919 DISTILLING PINEAPPLE BITS GIN Unique Pineapple Bit Gin, from 1919 Distilling, is the world’s first gin created from inspiration taken from Pineapple Lumps, one of the most popular lollies in New Zealand. The creative distilling team at 1919 Distilling is up to the challenge of crafting a super-premium spirit that is full of vibrant tropical notes and the lush sweetness of fruity pineapple. It took 6 intensive months of research and development to find the right blend for Pineapple Bits gin, launching with a limited release in 1919, which quickly sold out. Due to popular demand, the gin that went viral is now part of 1919’s core line-up. It’s perfect for a Negroni, adding interest to the classic gin cocktail. 41% Alc./Vol. https://1919distilling.com/

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Black Robin Gin is a contemporary London Dry gin that is inspired by the critically endangered Chatham Island’s Black Robin. With every bottle sold a donation to The Royal Forest and Bird Society of New Zealand is made to help them protect NZ’s native species and wild places. Tasting note: Crystal clear, silvery appearance. Initially juniper focussed bouquet is followed by hints of dried parsley, black pepper and citrus peel. Medium dry, light to medium bodied; presents an interesting combination of juniper, pine and dried herbal flavours with a vibrant peppery surge at the finish. Moderate persistence. Clean and well made. 43% Alc./Vol. https://www. nicks.com.au/

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BLACK ROBIN RARE GIN

AWILDIAN COROMANDEL DRY GIN

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World’s Best Classic Gin, World Gin Awards, 2022. Coromandel Dry Gin was born from a premium sugarcane alcohol base. The unmatched purity and ‘sweet memory’ of this base allows the fruity aromas from botanicals such as Pomegranate and Blueberry to perfectly blend with the more spicy as well as the citrus notes. One-third of the 20 carefully selected botanicals are either grown in our very own distiller’s garden or wild foraged. 47% Alc./Vol. https://www.awildian.com

DR BEAK NEW ZEALAND PREMIUM GIN Blended with 13 botanicals, and lifted with citrus & spice. Earthy notes round out the palate, with a dash of New Zealand ocean breeze. Using whey-based neutral spirit, each run is batch distilled after the junipers have gone through a 24 hour activated maceration. A spirit to stand up to the strongest mixers! 48% Alc./Vol. https://drbeak.nz/

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THE SOURCE PURE CARDRONA GIN

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Multi-award-winning ‘The Source’ Gin is forged by the four seasons that blow through the Cardrona Valley, Southern Alps, New Zealand. A natural matrix of locally foraged rosehip, together with traditional juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, lemon and orange zest, vapour-distilled into our Single Malt Spirit. You may notice the spirit clouds with dilution or when cold, this occurs because it is non-chill filtered, this allows us to deliver the full flavour and character - a mark of distinction for this very special drop. 47% Alc./Vol. www. cardronadistillery.com.au

Cardrona

Gi ty io si Cu r

A classically styled dry gin for the traditional gin drinker. Using just four New Zealand native botanicals this fabulous gin is as Kiwi a gin can get. Perfect served as a traditional G&T with a wedge of lemon. Botanicals: Wild harvest Kawakawa, wild harvest Horopito (Bushpepper), East Coast Manuka, urban foraged Tarata (Lemonwood). 40% Alc./Vol. https://www.thespiritsworkshop.co.nz/

CURIOSITY GIN

DANCING SANDS WASABI GIN An initial wasabi kick greets you, carried by the underlying juniper berries. Orange and almonds balance the wasabi and horopito leaves creating a gentle warming. The beauty in this gin is the kelp that creates a long salty and savoury finish. Wasabi root, grown locally in Golden Bay is the inspiration for how a navy strength gin (58% ABV) should taste. Enjoy with a premium tonic. 58% Alc./Vol. https://dancingsands.com

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Golden Bay

SCAPEGRACE SMALL BATCH DRY GIN 12 botanicals, nature’s wild apostles. Water, torn from the earth 80 years after it was hurled down on New Zealand’s Southern Alps. A whiskey still, 19th century, stumbled upon in a long abandoned shed. These are our ingredients. This is how Scapegrace signs its name around the world. Smooth and velvety with a citrusy side that makes way for a clean, dry finish. 42% Alc./Vol. www.scapegracedistillery.com Sc ap

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Elegant EXTRAVAGANT AND

Starting this issue, we are reserving a special spot on our Gin List for the best of the best – and the priciest! These elite bottles don’t come cheap, but when you find out how they were crafted, you’ll think you’ve got them for dirt-cheap.

I.F. (IGNIS FATUUS) / GIN An intriguing and complex Gin containing organic and wild foraged botanicals. Batch distilled in our 150L Arnold Holstein still and cut to strength with Kaweka spring water. Evoking our ancient Kauri forests, I.F. has lifted sandalwood, peat smoke and grilled citrus notes. An opulent and spicy palate with lingering flavours of bitter orange and resin. Best enjoyed neat. 47% Alc./Vol. https://www.hastingsdistillers.com NZ$265

“Hastings Distillers is New Zealand’s first producer of certified organic artisan spirits and liqueurs. ” 36

ting Has

At this price point, we recommend you enjoy I.F. Gin neat – and sip slowly!

In the spirit of celebrating all things New Zealand, this gin comes from Hastings Distillers, the country’s first producer of certified organic artisan spirits and liqueurs. Their golden goose, I.F. (Ignis Fatuus) / Gin, has spent several years in production ever since founder Kate Galloway stumbled across a bleeding kauri tree in thick bushland. She carefully collected some nearby gum to study, and it now plays a special role in the flavour profile of this oneof-a-kind gin.

WHATEVER YOUR GIN WE’VE GOT JUST . THE IF

O F YO U R D R I N K I S T H E M I X E R ,

M I X W I T H T H E B E ST

GIN LIBRARY READ ALL ABOUT GIN

What’s in The Gin Society Library?

THE BOTANY OF GIN

By: Chris Thorogood, Simon Hiscock (Booktopia $28.75) From its roots in ancient Greek herbal medicine, the popular spirit we now know as gin was established by the Dutch in the 16th century as a juniper-infused tincture to cure fevers. It gained notoriety during the London ‘gin craze’ in the eighteenth century before enjoying a recent resurgence and a profusion of new botanical flavourings. Garnished with sumptuous illustrations depicting the plants that tell the story of this complex and iconic drink, this enticing book delves into the botany of gin from root to branch.

GONE WITH THE GIN:

COCK TAILS WITH A HOLLYWOOD T WIS T

by Tim Federle (Booktopia $23.50) A perfect gift for film buffs and a terrific twist on movie nights, Gone with the Gin is the ultimate cocktail book for die-hard silver screen aficionados who prefer to be shaken, not stirred. Included within are 50 delicious drinks—paired with winking commentary on history’s most quotable films—plus an all-star lineup of drinking games, moviethemed munchies, and illustrations throughout.

JIGGERED BY GIN

by Lucy Lakestone (Booktopia $27.54) Jiggered by Gin is the fourth book in the Bohemia Bartenders Mysteries, funny whodunits with a dash of romance set in a convivial collective of cocktail lovers, eccentrics and mixologists. These quasi-cozy culinary comedies contain a hint of heat, a splash of cursing and shots of laughter, served over hand-carved ice.

SIPSMITH: SIP

10 0 G I N C O C K T A I L S W I T H O N LY THREE INGREDIENTS

by Sipsmith (Amazon $23.09) Sipsmith presents Sip - 100 gin cocktails, each with no more than three ingredients. Enjoy fuss-free drinks, from summer sipping to winter warmers, timehonoured classics to new twists. Along the way, you will find expert mixing tips, drink history and stories worth reading over a martini or two.

Grab your G&T and have a listen to this great PODCAST SERIES 2 EPISODE # 1 GIN PAL ACE

John Deeks and David Box leave the distilleries and pop into the most iconic cocktail and gin bar in Melbourne, maybe Australia: The Gin Palace. In May 2020, entrepreneur and bon vivant Vernon Chalker passed away, aged 55. The man was a visionary, opening The Gin Palace down a laneway in the Melbourne CBD in 1997. Listen on Apple, Anchor, Spotify or Apple.

THE GIN SOCIETY PROUDLY BRINGS YOU THE GIN JOURNAL.