Drinksbiz October November 2023

Victoria Wells Editor – Drinksbiz victoria@drinksbiz.co.nz

It’s a spring thing

I TEND to approach our OctoberNovember issue each year with equal measures of anticipation and excitement, and just a hint of barely restrained panic thrown in for good measure. It is, you see, the issue in which we feature our annual Gin Report, and in the seven years that I have been editing Drinksbiz it has grown each time.

This year is no exception and there’s a fantastic array of gins from here and around the world. (Please note, we did our best to include as many as we

could!) The New Zealand gin category, in particular, continues to offer new gins to surprise and delight.

This year, there is gin made with handharvested pikopiko fronds (Clark Lane Piko gin, pg 61), gin packaged in clever recyclable paperboard bottles (Mother's Ruined, pg 69) and even a gin that was created with the help of AI – from the recipe, to the label and tasting notes (imagination Intelligin, pg 66).

Being a distiller certainly comes with its challenges at the moment, but if this

year’s Gin Report is anything to go by there is no shortage of inspiration, passion and dedication from those in the industry.

On the topic of gin, I'm also delighted to introduce our new spirits columnist, Sarah Miller, who joins us this issue.

Sarah lives in London and is a spirits writer, judge and consultant. She is particularly passionate about gin, but works across the spirits industry and will be covering trends, product developments and industry issues for Drinksbiz. You can read her first column for us on page 98.

So, with spring upon us, let’s look ahead to the festive season and summer crowds just around the corner. Read on to discover new products aplenty for your shelves, drinks lists, fridges, and back bars.

Enjoy the issue, Victoria.

My picks

2022 Forrest Albariño Marlborough

This wine is fresh, aromatic and the perfect partner for lighter spring dishes as the new season ramps up. Delicious. (Pg 34)

Pacific Coast Ho‘ōhelohelo Hibiscus Sour

A collaborative beer between Mangawhai’s Pacific Coast and Hawaii’s Maui Brewing, this beer pours pretty pink in the glass but packs a salty/sour twist with hibiscus and sea salt. (Pg 48)

The Vicar’s Son ‘The Good Place’

This gin from a teeny, tiny distillery in Auckland just won the hotly contested Trophy for Best Contemporary Gin at The Australian Gin Awards. Each batch of gin from The Vicar’s Son is just nine bottles, so move fast. (Pg 74)

The New Zealand gin category, in particular, continues to offer new gins to surprise and delight.

PUBLISHER

Karen Boult karen@boult.co.nz

+64 21 320 663

EDITOR

Victoria Wells victoria@drinksbiz.co.nz

+64 27 575 9021

DESIGNER

Lewis Hurst lewis@hurstmedia.nz

+64 21 146 6404 hurstmedia.nz

ADVERTISING

Roger Pierce advertising@drinksbiz.co.nz

+64 274 335 354

SUMMER IS on the way and Jamaican rum brand Coruba has added to its popular range with two new RTDs in cans.

The new releases blend Coruba’s iconic 2-year barrel aged golden rum with soda and refreshing fruit flavours to create drinks that are simply “Summer in a can”.

Launched in September, the new products are luscious ‘Raspberry &

Grapefruit’ and tropical-toned ‘Mango & Passionfruit’. The 330ml can format (5% ABV) is available in 10-packs.

Stephen Burke, National Brand Ambassador for Coruba, says that the new mixed drinks in cans are perfect for the return of backyard barbecues, beach trips and everything else a Kiwi summer brings.

“Most Kiwis are familiar with the classic

Coruba Original and Cola combination, but we’ve gone down a very different road with these new cans. We’ve blended the Coruba Gold with soda and some amazingly refreshing tropical flavours. The result is a drink that classic Coruba enthusiasts will love, as well as new drinkers. Even people who traditionally don’t drink a lot of rum are loving these new cans, so there really is something for everyone to get on board with.”

A supporting campaign is already underway with in-store displays around New Zealand. OOH (Out of home) advertising is also scheduled to begin

Coruba – authentic Jamaican rum

FIRST ESTABLISHED on the Caribbean island of Jamaica in 1889, Coruba was known as Compagnie Rhumière de Bâle (The Basel Rum Company) in its early days. It is the initials of this original parent company from which Coruba draws its name: Compagnie Rhu mière de Bâle (CO-RHU-BA)

From this original globetrotting company, The Rum Company Kingston was set up in 1929 and later purchased by the stalwart of the Jamaican rum-producing scene: J. Wray & Nephew Co.

Today, Coruba maintains the strict protocols required for a spirit to be called “Jamaican Rum” and carry the protection of a Geographical Indication (GI). The Jamaican Rum Geographical Indication states that if a product is aged, then this process must happen in oak barrels, and on the island of Jamaica. All Coruba rum – including the spirit used in Coruba RTDs – is aged this way for a minimum of two years.

Coruba has launched two new RTDs that offer consumers even more ways to enjoy its authentic barrel aged Jamaican golden rum this summer…

in early October with billboards across the major New Zealand metro centres, as well as TV on demand, social content and more.

Coruba ramps up pre-summer

The new product launch builds on Coruba’s position as New Zealand’s #1 Rum by volume*, having been one of the top-selling rums in New Zealand for over 40 years.

Earlier this year, Coruba launched a major new campaign featuring evocative sunset imagery and the tagline “Sun down, Vibe up”.

This campaign has brought Coruba to the forefront of consumers’ minds through nationwide activity including print, social, OOH, and in-store promotions.

Coruba is distributed in New Zealand by Thirsty Camel, a joint venture of Campari Group. Order from Thirsty Camel, Tasman Allied, Trents, Gilmours Bidfood and all good wholesalers.

*Source: Nielsen Scan data: DARK RUM- Latest year to date – Week Ending 10/09/23

NEW from Coruba

TWO NEW mixed drinks from Coruba are now available in New Zealand, just in time for summer. A blend of 2-year barrel aged Coruba gold rum with soda water and fruit flavours. Best enjoyed at the bach, beach or backyard – anywhere with mates were the Sun is down and the Vibes are up.

5% ABV, 330ml can – available in 10-packs RRP $32.99

Coruba with Mango, Passionfruit & Soda

Sweet tropical mango and slightly tart passionfruit combine perfectly to make this summer’s most refreshing drink.

Coruba with Raspberry, Grapefruit & Soda

Refreshing fruity raspberry and delicious grapefruit work perfectly with Coruba

Jamaican Gold Rum for a delicious drink as the sun sets.

“Even people who traditionally don’t drink a lot of rum are loving these new cans, so there really is something for everyone to get on board with.”

Industry slams passing of Alcohol Amendment Bill

MAJOR INDUSTRY groups have expressed shock and dismay at the passing of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Community Participation) Amendment Bill, saying industry feedback has largely been ignored and that licence holders are now open to unnecessary risk.

The Bill aims to increase the influence of local communities on alcohol licensing decisions in their area with changes to the alcohol licensing process provided for in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. The Bill was passed under urgency in Parliament in late August.

Minister of Justice at the time, Ginny Andersen, said the Government had delivered new legislation that would ensure the voices of communities are heard in alcohol licensing decisions, contributing greatly to a reduction in alcohol harm.

However, a range of industry groups cite concerns with the removal of “the grandparenting right” from the existing Act, which means changes to the Local Alcohol Policy can retrospectively impact existing licence holders.

Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Steve Armitage says that while it supports the harm minimisation aims of the Bill, there is concern it will create immense uncertainty for licence holders and undermine otherwise successful and responsible businesses.

“While there are a number of issues we see with the bill, our primary frustration relates to allowing District Licensing Committees to take new Local Alcohol Policies into account when considering renewals, including the ability to decline licence renewals if they are viewed as inconsistent with any new LAP.

“Under this clause, if a new LAP imposed licence density restrictions or buffer zones then these could be grounds for declining renewals, without consideration of the standing of the existing licensed premise.“

The Brewers Guild says it is “shocked” at the passing of the Bill, saying it could be a devastating blow for breweries and tap rooms across New Zealand.

Brewers Association Executive Director Dylan Firth echoes these concerns.

“While as a sector we agree with the core premise of the legislation to improve the Local Alcohol Policy development process, the legislation goes further and will create uncertainty of trade for businesses all over New Zealand.

“It is our view the government has in this bill, substantially devalued every single licensed business in New Zealand and placed their owners’ livelihoods and those of thousands of staff into a state of uncertainty.”

Spirits NZ Chief Executive Robert Brewer has dubbed the Bill “ill-conceived”

and a risk to businesses. “This means a well-run venue which has been in a community for 30 years is under threat on licence renewal if changes to local rules suddenly affect it,” says Brewer.

“Any business owner will tell you that if your ability to trade can suddenly be affected at the stroke of a pen, even after decades of investment and hard work, then the value of your business will also be affected.”

Brewer also says other changes the new law makes will not make it any easier for communities to become involved in the licensing process. “If anything, the changes will make licensing hearings longer, more technical and more costly.”

NEW ZEALAND’S FINEST

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE ALL BLACKS

Indevin Group announces new CEO

INDEVIN GROUP, New Zealand’s largest wine producer and exporter, and owner of the Villa Maria brand, has announced that Silver Fern Farms CEO, Simon Limmer, will replace Duncan McFarlane in early 2024.

McFarlane, who founded Indevin Group in 2003, will retire after 20 years at the helm of the business, a period that saw exponential growth from a contract winemaker to New Zealand’s largest wine company.

In a statement announcing the change, the company said that: “After his long and successful tenure as CEO, McFarlane will remain a valuable member of Indevin Group as a Board Director and consultant for critical strategic projects, while

continuing to serve the New Zealand wine industry in a range of advisory roles.”

Limmer joins Indevin Group after five and a half years at Silver Fern Farms, and previously 10 years leading Zespri’s global operations.

Indevin Group Chairman, Greg Tomlinson, says they are thrilled to welcome Simon Limmer as the new CEO. “Simon is a highly regarded leader with extensive experience in exporting quality New Zealand products to the world. He brings a deep understanding of representing New Zealand brands globally, [and] the importance of grower and partner relationships.

“Simon has a clear affinity with New Zealand primary industries and delivering premium New Zealand brands internationally, both of which are critical to the next chapter of Villa Maria and Indevin Group’s growth strategy.”

Federal Merchants shifts distribution to Mainfreight

FEDERAL MERCHANTS & Co. has announced a move to Mainfreight as its new national distribution partner.

“This is a fantastic move for our business,” says Natalie Dodd, Head of Operations at Federal. “We pride ourselves on having great people and great brands, and we believe that Mainfreight is the #1 logistics provider in New Zealand, so it’s a perfect and logical Kiwi business partnership.”

The new partnership took effect in August and Mainfreight is now warehousing and distributing the entire Federal Merchants & Co. portfolio nationally from two key hubs

to improve speed of delivery and overall service levels.

South Island customers will be serviced from a new Mainfreight-operated warehouse in Christchurch. Federal Merchants says that this will greatly improve time to market in the South Island and will make a significant difference to on-premise trade customers, in particular.

The North Island will be serviced by Mainfreight’s new state-of-the-art warehouse in Favona, south Auckland. This is also expected to boost delivery times and Federal’s overall service levels.

Diversity Award for Constellation Brands NZ

CONSTELLATION BRANDS’ innovative approach to recruiting and developing women in its company saw it receive a Medium to Large Organisation Highly Commended award in the Diverse Talent category at the 2023 Diversity Awards NZ.

Constellation Brands’ New Zealand operation employs around 290 people across its wineries and vineyards, Auckland head office and mobile sales team.

While gender representation within the company is strong at a companywide level with 45% of employees being female, it says that female representation within operations, particularly in vineyards, is an ongoing challenge. Constellation Brands NZ also wanted to

increase the number of women advancing into leadership positions.

Julie Bassett, VP International HR & Business Enablement, says while all employees are the focus, the organisation has adopted a diversity, equity and inclusion lens in designing

the programmes to ensure females can flourish.

“As part of our broader culture journey, we are focused on building an environment where women can thrive –increasing representation of females at all levels, ensuring pay equality and high levels of inclusion across all teams and locations, whether in rural vineyards or at head office in Auckland. We are thinking creatively to address these challenges for the long term,” says Bassett.

A suite of initiatives was designed to achieve this, including developing a new performance programme, reshaping the viticulture organisation, building robust career development frameworks and an operations pay matrix.

Simon Limmer

New wine partnership for Constellation Brands and EuroVintage

CONSTELLATION BRANDS has announced a partnership with EuroVintage as part of its strategic goals for Kim Crawford and a selection of international wines within the New Zealand market.

EuroVintage will represent Kim Crawford exclusively in the On-Premise channel, while selling Californian brands Robert Mondavi (excluding Private Selection), Schrader, Mt Veeder, The Prisoner, and Saldo Wines in total market.

Olly Wilson, Constellation Brands General Manager of Sales and Marketing NZ, says, “We’re thrilled to have the EuroVintage team representing us; their expansive reach and strength in the local market has firmly established them as a pillar of New Zealand distribution.”

EuroVintage says it plans to expand the availability of Kim Crawford wines in bars and restaurants throughout New Zealand, including their low and no-alcohol options.

SHOWCASE

The Constellation Brands international portfolio is part of their strategy to cater to the growing demand for premium wines and provide consumers with a variety of world-class options.

“We’re delighted to work with Constellation Brands and the outstanding Kim Crawford range,” says Nick Hern, Chief Executive of EuroVintage. “Robert Mondavi is an iconic Californian brand, so it’s particularly special to welcome this range of limited wines.

“As one of the first national distributors to launch Californian wines into the New Zealand market with Sebastiani and Chalk Hill, we now have an impressive portfolio that complements our current offering,” adds Hern. “We’re really excited to share these brands and our full Californian portfolio with Kiwi consumers.”

Black Collar Distillery goes direct

AWARD-WINNING BAY of Islands-based Black Collar Distillery has changed its distribution model and is now selfdistributing its range of gin, vodka and rums across New Zealand.

“We’re now operating an ex-distillery, direct to store distribution model New Zealand-wide,” says Black Collar founder and distiller, Jonathan Mclean. “We felt that it was the right time to further strengthen our customer relationships with

liquor retail, bars and restaurants across New Zealand. We’ve employed a Head of Sales and will continue to invest in our brand and workforce, as we’re here for the long-term.”

New sales strength at Black Collar Black Collar’s new Head of Sales is ex-Liquorland franchise store owner Bennett Smith, from Liquorland Northcross. Bennett brings a wealth of experience to

Black Collar from 15 years of trading with his Liquorland store and a recent account manager role for a leading wine and spirits distribution firm.

“I’m really happy to be working for Black Collar,” says Bennett. “It’s a brand that I’ve followed for many years and have witnessed the growth that they’ve been able to achieve with such a small team – plus, I love their rum!”

Success at 2023 NZ Spirits Awards Black Collar Distillery sits on the outskirts of Kerikeri, where Jonathan and his team produce award-winning vodka, gin and rum. Their latest release – Black Collar Chocolate Vodka – won a Double Gold medal and the Trophy for Best Overall in Category (Flavoured/Aged Vodka) at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards. The new release vodka is rich, smooth and delicious – a must for any drinks list, back bar or liquor store range.

“We have a vast amount of new and exciting developments for the brand coming out over the next 12 months,” says Jonathan. “Black Collar Distillery is five years old now but we feel like we’ve only just got started.”

To order from the Black Collar range, email orders@blackcollardistillery.com blackcollardistillery.com

Olly Wilson of Constellation Brands and Nick Hern of EuroVintage

Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory launch Suntory Oceania

BEAM SUNTORY and Frucor Suntory have announced a new AU$3B multi-beverage partnership across the premium spirits and non-alcohol segments in both Australia and New Zealand, called Suntory Oceania.

Under the Suntory Oceania umbrella, Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory together will create the fourth-largest ANZ beverage group in Oceania with full end-to-end control of its portfolio, including manufacturing, sales, and distribution. Preparation will start now to ensure the partnership is operational for mid-2025 in Australia and 2026 in New Zealand.

Suntory Oceania’s 40 market-leading brands will include Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Hibiki Japanese Whisky, Canadian Club Whisky, V Energy, Maximus and Suntory BOSS Coffee, among many others, and spans premium spirits, RTD alcohol beverages, juice, water, soft drinks, coffee, energy and sports drinks.

The construction of a new AU$400M net-zero facility in Ipswich, Queensland, will be the catalyst for Suntory’s growth ambitions. Complementing current manufacturing operations in Auckland, the new Queensland site will become home to additional beverage processing, packaging, warehousing, and

SHOWCASE

distribution. The new facility is on track to be operational in mid2024 with the ability to produce 20 million cases on start-up and over 50 million cases in the future.

Mark Hill, Managing Director of Beam Suntory Oceania, commented, “This collaboration demonstrates our belief in the growth potential of the Australian and New Zealand markets. We are immensely grateful for our long and successful relationship with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, which will continue through to 2025.”

Frucor Suntory CEO, Darren Fullerton said, “This new venture is all about bringing the best of Suntory to Oceania. With the ability to accelerate our growth trajectory, we strongly believe it will redefine market dynamics and offer more consumer beverage moments from sunrise to sunset, unlocking innovation for our customers across retail and hospitality industries.”

Papa Salt lands on NZ shores

AN AWARD-WINNING gin created to capture Australia’s laidback lifestyle has arrived in New Zealand just in time for summer and is now available through distributor Tickety-Boo.

Papa Salt is an Australian coastal gin brand made by five friends who met through their work in the film industry: Margot Robbie, Josey McNamara, Tom Ackerley, Charlie Maas and Regan Riskas Maas.

United by a love of gin and a shared passion for the easy-going lifestyle on Australia’s east coast, the group began working together to formulate their own gin in 2018, finally settling on the final iteration (#59) after five years of backyard experimentation.

Revealing subtle notes from native Australian botanicals – roasted wattleseed and pink peppercorn, wax flower, hibiscus and citrus peel, and finished with just a hint of minerality from oyster shell – Papa Salt is presented in a distinctive bottle designed to reflect the velvety texture of decades-old sea glass.

It won a Platinum Medal and Best Gin at the 2022 L.A. Spirits Awards before launching exclusively in the Australian market in May this year, with its first product run selling out in 48 hours.

Papa Salt is distilled at the award-winning Lord Byron Distillery – a 100% zero waste facility powered entirely by renewable energy. The co-founders say that Byron Bay was the natural choice for the brand’s production due to the region’s abundant botanical offerings and co-founder Margot Robbie’s Gold Coast upbringing.

“I always find myself telling people overseas how incredible the food and beverage scene is in Australia,” says Robbie. “I don’t think people realise just how much there is to discover here. Every time I come home, I discover a new microbrewery or boutique gin to try. I truly think Australia is producing the best gins in the world and we want our gin to sit alongside the very best. That’s why we make Papa Salt in Australia.”

Papa Salt Coastal Gin (700ml) RRP $91.99

Tickety-Boo

Papa Salt founders

CCEP NZ site achieves carbon neutral certification

IN A first for the Indo-Pacific region, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand’s (CCEP) water bottling facility in Putāruru has become one of six CCEP sites globally to achieve internationally recognised PAS2060** carbon neutral certification. This is a step towards CCEP’s ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2040.

“Achieving the certification is a rigorous three-year process, requiring us to make both demonstrable and practical changes in reducing carbon from all energy consumed on site away from fossil fuels as well as reducing the volume of waste to landfill and wastewater from processing,” says Jenna Pepper, Sustainability Program Manager, CCEP New Zealand.

Through these efforts, the site’s market-based scope 2 electricity emissions are now zero and emissions from the water mains have halved since 2019. The site uses 100% certified renewable energy, validated by New Zealand Renewable Electricity certification and LPG forklifts have been replaced by electric ones. Other key emissions reduction measures included LED lighting supported by timers and motion sensors, and the installation of a wastewater collection unit to recycle the water used in operating the plant, halving the amount of wastewater.

“We have an ambitious goal to reach net zero by 2040 and reduce greenhouse emissions across our entire value chain by 30% by 2030. Receiving the PAS2060 certification for carbon neutrality at the Putāruru site is an important step in our journey towards this goal,” says Pepper.

SHOWCASE

Super Liquor raises a glass to success

THE ANNUAL Super Liquor Conference has just wrapped up for another year, having celebrated the successes of its businesses across New Zealand.

Around 250 delegates, made up of franchisees, board members, suppliers and support staff, travelled to the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa for four days of business partnering, celebration and the company’s annual awards ceremony.

Greg Hoar, Super Liquor’s National Operations Manager said the ceremony is a hugely important part of the annual gathering. “The awards are a great way to build a culture of success. There are a number of awards that include stores, managers, marketing, categories and suppliers. The Super Liquor awards are designed to raise the benchmark and standards each year.”

This year’s Gala Dinner was inspired by ‘The Great Gatsby’, with guests embracing the 1920s theme and dressing to the nines.

The winners for four of the major award categories were:

STORE OF THE YEAR:

Super Liquor Cromwell

STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR WINNER:

Summer Herewini – Super Liquor Morrinsville

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR:

Hancocks

KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER OF THE YEAR:

Chris Parker, Hancocks

'Store of the Year': Amanda Mills – Cromwell Store Manager and Michelle Given – The Gate Group Operations Manager (both centre) with Pip Sutherland and Bruce Longhurst.

'Store Manager of the Year': Summer Herewini – Morrinsville Store Manager (centre) with Pip Sutherland (outgoing SLH Chairperson) and Bruce Longhurst (New SLH Chairperson).

Young talent rising in the wine industry

The title of Young Viticulturist 2023 has been decided, while the battle continues for New Zealand’s Young Winemaker of the Year…

Tai Nelson wins 2023 NZ Young Viticulturist of the Year

TAI NELSON, Vineyard Manager at Soljans Estate in Kumeu, Auckland has won the title of New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year 2023.

The 24-year-old is one of the youngest ever contestants to win the competition and took out the prestigious title after stiff competition at the National Finals held at Paritua, Hawke’s Bay on 31 August.

Nick Putt from Craggy Range in Hawke’s Bay came second and the other contestants Nina Downer and Zac Howell also impressed the judges with their knowledge and skills on the day.

The Young Viticulturist of the Year is a rigorous competition with contestants tested on trellising, irrigation, machinery,

2023 Young Winemaker competitions underway

THE REGIONAL 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year competitions are now underway as contestants 30 years old and under are tested on all aspects of winemaking. The range of challenges includes blending, judging, tasting, laboratory skills, and public speaking as well as industry and export market knowledge.

pest and disease management, and wine knowledge. They also underwent an interview and prior to the competition had each submitted a report on their recommendations for establishing and managing a sustainable vineyard that would thrive long into the future.

Tai’s prize package includes a Hyundai Kona for a year, an Ecotrellis Travel Grant, Electrocoup electronic secateurs, an AEG power tool package, a Leadership Week, and cash. He will also go on to represent the wine industry in the 2024 Young Horticulturist of the Year competition.

A field trip about weather was also run in conjunction with the Young Vit competition. This was held at Linden

Estate in Esk Valley, where delegates were shocked to see the devastation created by Cyclone Gabrielle, but were also in awe of how Linden Estate has rescued its vineyards in time for spring.

Winners from the regional competitions so far are:

• Callum Haynes, Matua, Marlborough

• Eliana Leal, Amisfield, Central Otago

The winner from the upcoming North Island competition in Hawke’s Bay will

join them to compete in the National Final being held on 31 October at The Bone Line in North Canterbury. The winner will be announced at the Absolutely Unique wine industry celebration in Christchurch the following night.

Callum Haynes

Eliana Leal

Tai Nelson

THE BUSKER IS FOR THOSE WHO ARE FLAVOUR CURIOUS, SEEKERS OF INSPIRATION, AND CONNOISSEURS OF A WHISKEY LIKE NO OTHER…

Made from 100% barley, distilled through pot stills and matured in Bourbon and Sherry Cask. Fruity and luscious mouthfeel.

Busker Triple Blend of high-quality Single Grain and a high percentage of Single Malt and Single Pot whiskeys. Matured & finished in Bourbon, Marsala, and Sherry casks.

Bittersweet bonds

New Zealand joined global celebrations for Negroni Week, with Wellington bartender Lucia Freiberg creating this year’s winning cocktail…

NEGRONI WEEK has just celebrated its 10th year as a global phenomenon, celebrated by bars, bartenders, and cocktail enthusiasts around the world.

A partnership between Imbibe Magazine and Campari, the collaboration has been celebrating the Negroni’s rich history while giving back to the community through fundraising efforts since 2013.

Cocktails for a cause

Negroni Week has evolved from a simple celebration of a beloved cocktail into a global movement that combines cocktail culture, philanthropy, and community engagement. It serves as a reminder of the power of cocktails to bring people together for a good cause.

This year’s beneficiary is Slow Food, a movement dedicated to food equality, diversity and equitable accessible to traditional skills, food preparation and sources. Slow Food is about making sure our valuable history is an important part of the future, ensuring we don’t lose the valuable lessons and skills of the past.

There’s irrefutable synergy between the manifesto of Slow Food and Campari, who demonstrate commitment to preserving history and designing the future through their trade engagement, education and advocacy programmes. In the same way Davide Campari formed creative bonds with futurist artist Fortunato Depero to create iconic brand work in the 1930s, Campari Group is still forging pathways to the future.

Negroni Week in New Zealand Negroni Week is Campari’s chance to encourage industry to continue their love affair with the bittersweet aperitif

Negroni Week has evolved from a simple celebration of a beloved cocktail into a global movement that combines cocktail culture, philanthropy, and community engagement.

through creative expression, new flavour profiles and serves. Here in New Zealand, the competition was focused on the bonds that form over a good drink, great hospitality, and the sharing of a meaningful story.

For Negroni Week competition winner, Lucia Freiburg, those bonds are more meaningful than ever. She found herself creating the cocktail as a point of creative focus after a heartbreak and upheaval in her life. During chaos and stress, focusing on creativity gave Lucia crucial focus and a chance to process much of what she was experiencing.

The creation of a winning cocktail

“This drink was a place to put everything inside me – just like any form of expression, at the end of the day it helps you to process things. It’s really cool when you have something creative and new to focus your energy and growth on. And Hawthorn Lounge was a really safe space to experiment with some of the techniques I’d learned but wanted to try with this drink.”

Her low-ABV symphony of coffee, coconut, Campari and amaro is brought together through careful but approachable technique and is served warm, in a manner designed to bring the guest into an interactive and personal encounter with the server.

“When you feel alone, you need comfort – the coffee and the coconut reminded me of the best parts of the relationship we had – those are the highlights and the memories I wanted to keep hold of. Everyone has hard times, but we feel safe when we have a good friend to pour us a cup of tea or coffee. I wanted to express that personal bond in the bar and the drink – the connection between you, the preparation of your drink and the person making it.

“I started with Campari as the base. It’s the part that makes it Negroni. I was inspired by how Campari can change depending on how you use it. My manager shakes cold brew and Campari as a shot and I’m always surprised at how sweet it becomes. So different, but the same product. So I was set on using coffee in the profile.

“Fat-washing with coconut adds so much texture and it helps the idea of comfort – rich, creamy and silky and especially served warm, where the drink feels boozier than it is. I diluted with coconut water to enhance the coconut essence too. It’s still a Campari Negroni drink – sweetness with amaro, bitterness with Campari – but there is a moment of exploration to understand it all.”

Campari’s role in creating bonds between customers and bartenders, bartenders and the hospitality community, and the flavours that hold us all together is timeless. That’s been Lucia’s experience in joining the hospitality community here in New Zealand, especially during tumultuous times. Comfort, support and encouragement.

“That’s the best part about Campari – it’s secure and comforting. It’s a little weapon I can use to my advantage. It’s reliable – you can always do the most simple treatment and it will still be banging. It gives you so much room to play but you can always come back to it. At the end of the day that’s all I want.”

“I was inspired by how Campari can change depending on how you use it.”

– Lucia Freiberg, Negroni Week 2023 winner.

Article by Tash McGill

SKYLER SIMMONS

Cocktail by Lucia Freiberg available at Hawthorn Lounge, Wellington

Seeing stars with Saverglass

THE SUBTLE, refined tonalities of white and Rosé wines are showcased beautifully with the Éclat concept from Saverglass, using the radiance and brilliance of Saverglass Extra White glass and highlighted with a range of unique punts that offer exceptional luminosity and reflectivity in their etched motifs.

Based on the Bordelaise ÉCLAT model – characterised by a height of 320mm in 750ml, a plump shoulder and a slight taper in the body with a long, slim neck – these bottles are sure to please. Available in a BVS version, the model adapts to new consumption patterns.

Inspired by nature, the four creations display the harmony of a textured motif, the softness of organic curves and even the complexity of a natural geometric figure. There are four distinctive punts designed to concentrate light on the punt and thus reveal the colour nuances of your cuvées.

• Shining Star offers a star etched into the punt.

• Constellation consists of a cluster of square motifs covering the punt and creating a constellation. With attention to detail, the motif continues to the base of the bottle where it functions as the knurling.

• Falling Star consists of lines etched into the punt which evoke the trail of a falling star, and like the Constellation the motif continues to the base to form the knurling.

• Moon Rising is represented by cuts in the punt forming a rising pyramid.

Find out more about the Saverglass range: 09 522 2990 saverglass.com

GIVE PUNCH TO YOUR PUNT!

The Bordelaise Eclat range offers 6 different punts (Moon Rising, Star Shining, Fusion, Galaxy, Falling Star and Constellation) designed to reveal sparkle and radiance of the Saverglass Extra White flint and to show off the subtle and refined colours of white and rosé wines. Eclat Constellation is also available in BVS 30H60 screw finish.

Bacardi acquires Ilegal Mezcal

BACARDI LIMITED, the largest privately held international spirits company in the world, has acquired ILEGAL Mezcal®, a leading super premium artisanal mezcal.

The transaction follows a successful relationship in which Bacardi has been partnered with ILEGAL since 2015. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“We believe that ILEGAL has the credentials to own and lead the superpremium mezcal category at a global level. ILEGAL perfectly complements our portfolio and bringing it into our business sets the brand up for even greater growth as mezcal captivates more and more consumers,” says Barry Kabalkin, Vice Chairman of Bacardi Limited.

John Rexer created ILEGAL in 2006, after years of working with small distillers

in Oaxaca to make mezcal for his bar in Guatemala. John’s goal has been to bring the finest artisanal mezcal to a global market. He has worked closely with the distillers in Oaxaca to create sustainable jobs, and to be a positive

Captain Morgan unveils Spiced Gold 0.0%

DIAGEO HAS expanded its alcohol-free portfolio with the release of Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0%, following the successful launch of Guinness 0.0%, Tanqueray 0.0% and Gordons 0.0% over the past few years. It is the first dark spirit to join Diageo’s alcoholfree portfolio.

Developed over the past two years by Diageo’s innovation team, Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0%, launched in Great Britain in September and will be followed by Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia later this year before further roll-out across Europe in 2024.

Samori Gambrah, Global Brand Director at Captain Morgan commented: “With a resurgence of rum as a drink of choice and the global alcohol-free spirit market set to increase*, Captain Morgan 0.0% is perfectly placed to not only meet growing demand but also give those looking to moderate their consumption a new alternative.”

Amanda Brown, Liquid Scientist at Diageo, added: “It’s been an exciting journey working on Diageo’s first alcohol-free dark spirit. When creating Captain Morgan 0.0%, we went through more than 400 recipes before we were able to capture the iconic rum and spice flavour of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold, but without the alcohol. Captain Morgan 0.0% has been created by layering flavours that deliver the complexity and depth that consumers know and love.”

* IWSR - 'No- and low- alcohol category value surpasses $11billion in 2022'

force in protecting the environment and preserving local culture. John will continue to guide the vision of the brand.

ILEGAL, recognized globally for its lifestyle branding, also prides itself on being a responsible and sustainable business. It works with fourth-generation maestros mezcaleros in Santiago

Matatlán, Oaxaca. ILEGAL Mezcal is double distilled in small batches using 100% Espadin agave. ILEGAL Mezcal is 100% natural and uses no artificial colors, yeasts, flavours, or additives. It is certified as artisanal mezcal by the Consejo Regulador del Mezcal (CRM).

The super premium plus mezcal category is growing at a fast pace and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16% over the next five years according to IWSR.

Knowledge at heart of London Cocktail Week

BACK-OF-HOUSE TOURS and front row bar seats are among the initiatives London Cocktail Week (Oct 12-22) unveiled in 2023 to boost its core mission of supporting and championing the bartending community and hospitality industry.

Heading into its 14th year, the 2023 schedule includes a Bartender Knowledge Exchange programme, presenting an unparalleled educational prospect for both local and visiting international bartenders.

It involves a host of London’s most revered venues providing meaningful learning opportunities to young bartenders, as well as the chance to meet peers and potential mentors. Host venues are offering back of house pre-shift tours, “The Seat At The Bar” – a bookable experience for bartenders to sit and watch the host bar in action – and exclusive tastings and talks with bar owners and managers.

Venues taking part in the Bartender Knowledge Exchange programme include five-star hotel bars, specialist bars, Michelin-starred restaurant bars, and some of London’s best neighbourhood bars.

“Connaught - Behind The Scenes” is a one-off chance to see the operations behind one of the greatest bars in the world. Bartenders can spend time with the iconic bar’s multi-award winning team and see the elements and rituals involved in getting ready for service, from the back bar preparations to the mise en place before doors open.

London Cocktail Week was first launched in 2010 and has grown to become the biggest cocktail festival of its kind in the world, welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests.

londoncocktailweek.com

Diary Dates

OCTOBER

Saturday 7 October

Gintastic – Christchurch

The Gintastic series of boutique gin festivals comes to Christchurch’s Tai Tapu Hotel for a day of gin tasting and live music. gintasticnz.com

Friday 13 October

NZ International Wine Show Awards Night – Auckland

The Trophy Awards event for the 2023 NZ International Wine Show will be held at Auckland’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. Tickets available via the website. nziws.co.nz

Saturday 21 October

Gintastic – Blenheim

The Vines Village in Marlborough plays host to The Gintastic series of boutique gin festivals with a day of gin tasting and live music. gintasticnz.com

Sunday 22 October

First Light Wine & Food Festival –Gisborne

A celebration of Gisborne wine alongside local food and live music to be held across Matawhero and TW Wines. firstlightwineandfood.co.nz

Sunday 22 October

Funk on the Water – Wellington

A boutique beer festival celebrating rare funky, sour, and farmhouse beers and ciders, to be held at The Boatshed on Wellington’s waterfront. funkonthewater.nz

NOVEMBER

Saturday 4 November

NZ Cider Festival – Hastings

A family event with live music, entertainment and more than 100 varieties of cider from New Zealand’s cider makers, to be held at the Tomoana Showgrounds. nzciderfestival.com

Sunday 19 November

Toast Martinborough

The 30th year of one of New Zealand’s most iconic wine festivals, taking in a range of vineyards around the Martinborough region. toastmartinborough.co.nz

Saturday 25 November

Beers at the Basin – Wellington

A one-day festival showcasing craft breweries, local wineries, street food, and live music to be held at the iconic Basin Reserve. beersatthebasin.co.nz

Saturday 25 November

Harvest Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay’s newest food and wine festival will be held in a riverside setting on Tuki Tuki Road with wines from 16 wineries paired with local food. harvesthawkesbay.com

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The lure of Jamaican rum

National Brand Ambassador for Coruba, Stephen Burke, explains what sets Jamaican rum apart from the rest…

RUM IS somewhat of an enigmatic spirit – it can wear a dozen different faces depending on the drink. The spirit most often associated with pirates can lighten the mood and add a sense of fun wherever it’s introduced – you can’t help but smile at elaborate garnishes and bright colours. After all, rum is quite literally made from sugar.

While the definition of rum changes from country to country, at its most basic level it is simply a product distilled from sugarcane or a by-product of sugarcane. A category that continues to grow, both in value and in number of producers.

Globally, the rum category is currently well over US$15b per annum, which begs the question: what is it about rum that keeps drawing people back and inviting new consumers in?

Here in New Zealand, it seems what keeps bringing people back is Jamaican rum. Coruba and Appleton Estate are the undeniable market leaders in both value and volume. So, what’s the unique and irresistible Jamaican rum characteristic driving this market forward?

The answer to this is at best subjective and often deeply personal to consumers. For me, it is the sense of honesty and heritage at the heart of the Jamaican rum category that brings drinkers back time and time again. I say this because rum, its production and its story, can vary widely across the globe.

The crafting of rum

Rum definitions are quite distinctive and specific from country to country.

Some Caribbean islands allow the age statement (number shown on the front of the bottle) to denote the oldest spirit in the bottle, meaning the majority of the bottle could very well contain younger liquid.

Some South Pacific islands allow the number shown on a bottle to represent the average age of the blend of rums that have gone into the bottle. Both seem a far cry from the industry standard practice of Scotch Whisky, whereby an age statement must denote the youngest whisky present.

Then there is the matter of additives and sources of flavour / colour alteration. Most rum-producing nations allow molasses (boiled sugar) or additional sugars to be added back into a distilled rum to alter the flavour, colour and even perception of smoothness. A healthy dose of sugar added to relatively poor-quality rum can immediately alter the perception of quality.

There can be no issues with or questions around process when it comes to Jamaican rum. Jamaica has a Geographical Indicator (GI) applied to the rum it produces. In much the same way as Champagne must follow certain rules in order to be called such, the same can be said for Jamaican rum.

Taking its lead from Scotch, all aged Jamaican rums follow a minimum ageing requirement. When you see a Jamaican rum denoting an age statement, you can be confident that that age is the youngest liquid in the bottle. In addition to this, if a Jamaican rum says it is aged, that rum must be aged for a minimum of two years! With the tropical ageing in the Caribbean, some people say that two years in Jamaica could be equivalent to six or more in Scotland, where the warmer and more humid climate intensifies the barrel flavours and maturation of the spirit.

The Jamaica factor

The outstanding climate and fertile soil of Jamaica provides perfect conditions for the raw ingredients in Jamaican rum too. Filled with ancient limestone riverbeds and a unique climate, hundreds of types of sugarcane grow and are used to produce award-winning rums characteristic of the Jamaican rum profile: ripe tropical fruits like pineapple and banana, warm caramel, and rich deep flavour.

Combining all of this, it’s not hard to see how high-quality produce grown in fertile soil gives the perfect base to a liquid that, when aged for longer than is standard, creates a taste profile that New Zealanders clearly love and appreciate.

For me, it’s important to remember that this amazing Jamaican liquid forms the basis for all rum products coming from the island, including RTDs. Coruba RTD is made using the same minimum aged, Jamaican-grown liquid famous for its depth of flavour and character.

The new Coruba RTDs utilise the golden rum over the original, and mixing with soda and tropical flavours like raspberry, grapefruit, passionfruit and mango, sees a real premium uplift to the classic flavour most Kiwis are familiar with. We’re expecting New Zealanders to love the new twist just as much – an elevated Jamaican rum RTD experience.

A brand-new flavour and product to keep a new generation of Kiwis coming back for years to come.

“What is it about rum that keeps drawing people back and inviting new consumers in?”

Stephen Burke

New Jewel of Waiheke RTD

WAIHEKE DISTILLING has released its Red Ruby Gin in a new artisan RTD format. The gin, which is infused with ripe New Zealand cherries, is paired with a blood orange soda for the new Jewel of Waiheke RTD.

It follows the success of Waiheke Distilling Co.’s first foray into the premium RTD market with Spirit of Waiheke RTD, based on its signature gin.

Jewel of Waiheke RTD is 7% ABV, 250ml can RRP $12.50, and 4-pack RRP $50.

Waiheke Distilling

SHOWCASE

Introducing Long White 7%

Odd Company mixes it up

RTD BRAND Odd Company has launched two new variety packs including some new flavours for summer.

The mixed 10-packs are available in Odd Company Berry and Odd Company Citrus. The Berry pack includes Boysenberry & Blackcurrant, Raspberry & Pomegranate, and Grape & Green Apple, while the Citrus pack contains Lemon Sour, Blood Orange & Lime, and Pink Grapefruit & Yuzu. The two new packs join the Odd Company Tropical mixed pack that launched earlier this year. Odd Company 330ml mixed 10-pack RRP $29.99.

Zeffer adds to Hazy Alcoholic Lemonades

ZEFFER HAS added two new flavours to its range of alcoholic lemonades: Boysenberry and Pineapple have now joined the original Zeffer Hazy Alcoholic Lemonade.

Zeffer Hazy Alcoholic Lemonade with Boysenberry and Zeffer Hazy Alcoholic Lemonade with Pineapple - 5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $23.99.

Lion

JUST IN time for a long, hot summer, new Long White 7% is launching to market in New Zealand.

Long White is a premium vodka ready-mixed drink produced and distributed by Asahi NZ. The new 7% ABV release is an extension to the Long White core and Long White Ultra ranges.

Blending triple distilled vodka with sparkling water and natural flavours, the flavour profile of Long White is naturally refreshing and less sweet than other ready mixed drinks. Instead of using table sugar, Long White is made sweeter using only apple juice.

The new 7% ABV Long White is available in four flavours: Peach & Pineapple, Apple & Pear, Boysenberry & Blueberry, and Lemon & Lime.

Brand Manager at Asahi NZ, Stacey Solomon, says the new Long White 7% product is the perfect partner for nights out. “Long White defines the taste of summer! We’re sure that loyal Long White fans will love this new Long White 7% range and that it will quickly become a new discovery and firm favourite for many others too.”

The launch of Long White 7% will be supported by a major campaign across billboards, digital and social with point of sale, in-store media and nationwide in-store sampling also planned.

Long White 7% ABV is available in 240ml slim can 12-pack at RRP $30.99

Distributed by Asahi NZ.

New Long White 7% is available in four flavours...

Peach & Pineapple: a delicious explosion of delicate peach sweetness combined with tropical pineapple. Apple & Pear: doused with apple and pear natural fruit flavours and a dash of lemon juice to give it some summer-time zing.

Boysenberry & Blueberry: something special and unique, these mixed berry flavours are set to be your next favourite.

Lemon & Lime: bursting with citrus flavours, a classic for refreshment.

Pervinder Kaur Associate at Corcoran French Lawyers specialising in alcohol licensing. pervinder@cflaw.co.nz cflaw.co.nz

Are you a fit and proper person?

Alcohol licensing lawyer Pervinder Kaur looks at suitability for holding an alcohol licence…

AS A lawyer specialising in alcohol licensing, I often get asked to provide expert evidence to support an application for discharge without conviction. These requests typically relate to situations where a duty manager and/or a licensee has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The individuals involved may seek to clear their record as a conviction could significantly impact their employment or business.

According to a recent decision by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (Authority), being discharged without conviction (under section 106 of the Sentencing Act 2002) does not necessarily mean that the behaviour in question didn’t happen. While a discharge without conviction is considered an acquittal for criminal law purposes, the Authority can still review the evidence to decide if enforcement proceedings are needed under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 (Act).

In the case of Craddock v Kumar [2023] NZARLA 66, Kumar was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol (518/1000) and was ultimately acquitted in the District Court. However, despite the acquittal, the Police sought to suspend Kumar’s duty manager’s certificate due to his conduct of drink driving. The matter was brought before the Authority, which suspended Kumar’s

manager’s certificate for 28 days based on the circumstances.

The moral of the story here is that even if you’re successful in obtaining a discharge without conviction in the District Court, the Authority may still consider relevant conduct when determining your suitability for a duty manager’s certificate.

NZARLA 108 – 122 is relevant where the Authority has helpfully clarified the legal position. In Big Daddys Ltd, NZ Police and Christchurch City Council Alcohol Licensing Inspector argued that the law is now well settled, based on the two decisions (Two Brothers and Nekita), that employment practices are part of assessing the suitability.

In relation to licensees’ conduct, their employment practices have been under scrutiny lately. These especially have become a first step of assessing a licensee’s suitability since decisions in the Two Brothers and Nekita cases. Licensing inspectors, the police and District Licensing Committees have started asking questions about things like rest and meal breaks, staff rosters, timesheets, and staff wages. In a certain case, they have even asked the licensee to prove that staff are taking rest and meal breaks.

The Authority’s recent decision regarding Big Daddys Ltd & Others [2023]

But the Authority rejected this proposition and held that if the conduct in question is acknowledged (as was the case in Two Brothers) or determined by the proper Authority (as was the case in Nekita), the Authority (ARLA) can then consider that conduct in the context of suitability. But, if there is a factual debate about whether there was a breach of some other rules of conduct, then the Authority (or even the District Licensing Committees in my view) may not be the appropriate forum to make such determinations.

In conclusion, both decisions (Kumar and Big Daddys) confirm that the conduct is directly related to an individual’s or organisation’s ability to hold a certificate and/or an alcohol licence. However, for such conduct to be considered as part of the suitability assessment, it should either be acknowledged by the applicant or determined by the proper Authority before it is considered in the context of suitability to hold an alcohol licence.

In relation to licensees’ conduct, their employment practices have been under scrutiny lately.

Facts & figures

Brands need to tap into holidaying consumers

RECENT RESEARCH from CGA by NIQ (provider of on-premise consumer intelligence) has found that holidaying consumers present an opportunity for New Zealand’s on-premise industry.

The CGA by NIQ Pulse+ Report* found that 89% of New Zealand consumers plan to take a holiday in the next 12 months, and almost half of them intend to travel within the country. Hotels emerge as the most preferred accommodation type, attracting 53% of holidaymakers.

It found that 70% of holidaymakers intend to indulge in on-premise experiences, with casual dining the leading choice for 84% of those surveyed. However, 44% of holidaymakers also planned to enjoy dining and drinking within the comfort of their own room or accommodation –identifying that brands and operators should cater to consumers’ food and drinks needs within hotels, too.

CGA by NIQ says that this highlights the importance of suppliers focusing strategically on hotels in specific locations and better understanding their guests’ preferences in order to maximise brand and category engagement.

New Zealand’s holidaymakers also offer brands and operators a distinct opportunity to promote experimentation with new products, as 52% of consumers admit to being more adventurous with their food and drink choices while on holiday. This creates an ideal avenue for businesses to introduce innovative offerings and stimulate consumption in new drink categories and brands.

Find out more at cgastrategy.com

* CGA by NIQ Pulse+ Report August 2023

Premium alcohol stays strong

MARKET RESEARCH firm

Euromonitor International says that its research shows premium alcohol brands have continued to grow and sell in the face of the global cost of living crisis.

Spiros Malandrakis, Head of Alcoholic Drinks at Euromonitor International, said that from champagne to ultra-premium English gin, and tequila to prestige dark rum all the way to nonalcoholic spirits and aperitivoembracing bitters, premiumisation remains firmly in the spotlight.

“This is premiumisation against all the odds. Aspirational momentum is overcoming the cost of living crisis. In fact, iconic segments that are now intricately associated with aspirational consumption and increasingly

We round up some of the latest research around the beverage and hospitality industries…

higher end offerings are among the top sales performers,” said Malandrakis.

Euromonitor International says that the purchase of premium wines, spirits and non-alcoholic alternatives by consumers during the steepest inflationary spirals in modern history reflects the diverse range of consumer behaviours and motivations that exist within a population.

For many consumers, indulging in premium products is seen as a way to enjoy occasional luxuries, or as a form of escapism.

The consumption of premium wines and spirits can also be viewed as a status symbol or a reflection of personal taste and sophistication. Some consumers are willing to allocate a portion of their income to maintain their desired lifestyle, impress others and demonstrate their social standing or expertise in the field of wines and spirits.

“The inexorable march towards ever more premium offerings has been a key theme and driver for the alcohol industry for decades and there is no category that remains impervious to the trend’s relevance and long-term appeal,” noted Malandrakis.

“As one of the steepest inflationary spirals in modern history places extraordinary pressure on drinkers’ discretionary incomes, the premiumisation mantra is being put to the test and the results are proof of how solidly embedded it has now become.

“Contrary to expectations and parallels to previous recessionary cycles, there are no significant signs of sustained or heavy trading down – at least not just yet!”

Find out more at euromonitor. com/insights/drinks

Kiwis stick with premium dining

KIWIS MAY be eating out less as the cost of living soars to its highest level in decades, but new data from online reservation platform ResDiary suggests they are not prepared to sacrifice premium venues on special occasions.

ResDiary’s analysis of diner behaviour has found that while venues across New Zealand have suffered a rise in cancellations during frequent interest rates hikes, those least affected are premium dining locations. It shows that bookings for higher-end establishments (of more than $80 per person) are almost double the number of 2021, and diners are making reservations further ahead to ensure they can eat at their preferred location.

“Premium venues account for 6.2% of all bookings in New Zealand, up nearly 50% from a 3.2% share of bookings in 2021,” says Rebecca Zeitunian, ResDiary APAC Head of Growth. “This is a stark contrast to Australia, where there’s been nearly a 30% (28%) decline in premium and fine dining venues since January 2022.”

When comparing the timing of New Zealand hospitality bookings across a spectrum of dining levels with the timing of interest rate increases, ResDiary data showed the interest rate highest hike in November 2022 coincided with a 75% increase in cancellations across all its Cloud-booking service customers, when compared with November 2021. That is approximately 30,000 reservations across the country.

A key stand-out trend over the past two years has been an increase in booking lead times with New Zealanders making reservations nearly twice as far ahead. In 2021 people made bookings 5.5 days ahead of schedule, compared to 9.62 days ahead in 2023.

Find out more at resdiary.com

It shows that bookings for higher-end establishments (of more than $80 per person) are almost double the number of 2021.

The Great Volatility – a new macro supercycle

GLOBALDATA HAS released a new white paper, ‘The Great Volatility’ Macro Supercycle, which explores the instability in the current macroeconomic environment and the risks and opportunities this will bring for the beverage industry and consumers over the next few years.

It’s been prepared by GlobalData Consumer Custom Solutions – one of the leading providers of consultancy services to the retail, food, beverage and packaging industries.

It finds that stronger economic growth along with higher interest rates, stubborn inflation, physical disruption from climate change, supply chain stress and an unpredictable geopolitical situation are all factors creating an era of significant macro instability that GlobalData is calling ‘The Great Volatility’.

This new macro-economic supercycle is creating a more pressurised, erratic and uncertain business environment for beverage companies to operate in as well as impacting consumers’ lives and behaviours.

Top insights from GlobalData’s ‘The Great Volatility’ Macro Supercycle whitepaper include:

Risks and opportunities

Stress on consumer spending

Risk: A narrow brand portfolio or limited focus across categories will increase individual companies’ risks.

Opportunity: Create a diverse range of products that cater to both premium and value-oriented customers in multiple categories.

Managing investment risk

Risk: Uncertainty in investing offshore is being driven by trade disputes and geopolitical tensions.

Opportunity: Consider a reshoring strategy that evaluates growth opportunities in developing markets and the viability of slower-growth markets.

Geographical location

Risk: The scarcity and rising costs of raw materials are causing volatility, and consumers now demand complete transparency of the supply chain. Opportunity: Shortening supply chains via reshoring offers ESG benefits.

Inflation management strategies for consumers and the beverage industry

Three ways consumers might respond to inflation:

1. Cocooning – staying at home more frequently, fewer days working from the office, less time spent on leisure activities.

2. Saving money by bulk buying, stockpiling, buying ahead and growing veg. However, this is a limited solution for low-income consumers.

3. Managing finances to a strict budget - ‘Going without’ – spending less by buying less – reducing the frequency of foodservice and on-trade visits.

Three ways beverage companies could respond to inflation:

1. Protect middle-tier brands from the impact of downtrading to cheaper competitor brands by heavily discounted price and extra free promotions.

2. ‘Bundling’ – enhance the value of the overall retail purchase by combining additional product purchases with the original one.

3. Build a range of prices across a brand offer, such as the introduction of new smaller pack sizes or a new value sub-brand.

Find out more and download the white paper at globaldata.com

LAND ON THE EXTRAORDINARY

In fullbloom

Aromatic white wines are the perfect partner for spring – Joelle Thomson offers a selection to seek out this season…

Under RRP $20

Māori Point Gold Digger Frizzante

Pinot Gris

RRP $13.99 (440ml can)

Māori Point

This 440ml can of lightly sparkling, dry-ish Pinot Gris is big enough to share between two, and ticks so many boxes that it has to be one of this summer’s leading picnic or backyard barbecue wines. It tastes fruity, light-bodied and almost bone-dry in style. It comes in two styles: the Pinot Gris (pictured) and also a Rosé (made entirely from Pinot Noir). 17.5/20

2022 The Ned Pinot Gris

RRP $19.99

Marisco

The Ned Pinot Gris is made with a portion of skin contact, which provides an attractive light pink colour to this refreshing young wine. It’s made from grapes grown in the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough, home to some of the most succulent, refreshing wines made in that region today. This one puts Pinot Gris’ best foot forward in every sip. 17.5/20

RRP $20 – $29.99

2022 Main Divide Riesling

North Canterbury

RRP $21.99

EuroVintage

This North Canterbury offering is always a winner with its concentrated lemon curd aromas and flavours of sweet fleshy mandarin and peach, all balanced beautifully by a twist of acidity that adds freshness and length to every sip. An ideal partner for Thai chicken dishes, or anything with lime flavours. 17/20

2022 The Doctors’ Lower Alcohol Riesling

RRP $22.99

Forrest

The first vintage of this beautifully balanced Riesling was 2006 and it has since become one of the biggest-selling aromatic white wines in New Zealand, thanks to Dr John Forrest’s pioneering role in producing lower alcohol wines here. He is a big champion of the ‘drinkless-drink-better’ philosophy and wines such as this one make that easy. Its flavours of lemon, lime, ripe sweet peach and honey are all finely tuned and balanced by bright acidity that stretches them out to a lingering finish. Every vintage has had the staying power to taste great when young and still superbly delicious after five to six years. 17.5/20

2022

RRP $23.99

EuroVintage

Beautiful freshness defines Albariño and this one is made by one of the oldest wineries in the country, Babich Wines. It uses grapes grown on the family’s certified organic Headwaters Vineyard in Marlborough.

Fermentation in stainless steel retains aromatic purity, fruit-forward flavours of lemon and a salty tang that is the hallmark of this Spanish grape. Body, succulence and dryness are all drawcards in this lovely wine. 17.5/20

2023 Terrace Edge Classic Riesling

North Canterbury

RRP $23.99

Terrace Edge

Terrace Edge Wines is on the banks of the Waipara River in the heart of North Canterbury, which is this country’s leading Riesling region if longevity of production and ageability as well as dedication by the winemakers are anything to go by. Ripe lemons, pineapple and tropical fruit aromas are all balanced gorgeously well here by fresh acidity that aids ageing but then again, it tastes fab now. Certified organic. 17.5/20

2019 Spy Valley Riesling

RRP $24.90

Spy Valley

An outstanding, refreshing Riesling from Marlborough that makes a fantastic wine match with fresh fish dishes. Flavours of ripe citrus and fresh crunchy green apples shine. The wine is made from grapes grown on three Riesling vineyards in the Waihopai Valley. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel to retain fresh fruit flavours and the wine was aged for three years prior to bottling, which softens and matures its bright, bold acidity. 17.5/20

2022 Spy Valley Pinot Gris

RRP $24.90

Spy Valley

Ripe apples, soft pear juice and a smooth textural quality make this wine a lively, refreshing aperitif style with a light to medium body. Serve in late afternoon sun, or as a lunch-time wine with antipasto. 16.5/20

Babich Family ‘Headwaters’ Organic Albariño

2019 Tohu Whenua Awa Riesling

RRP $24.99

Kono

Light in body and intensely flavoursome, this lively Nelson Riesling offers lemon zest, crunchy Granny Smith apples and a succulent touch of finely balanced acidity intermingled with a honey aroma. This wine drinks beautifully now and can age further, for at least another four to five years. 17.5/20

2019 Giesen Reiler Goldlay

Mosel Riesling

RRP $24.99

Giesen

This wine just keeps getting better as it ages into a layered and lovely complex expression of Germany’s most famous wine and region: Mosel Riesling. Complex but light with focused lime purity and layered depth of flavour, winemaker Tobias Treis has coaxed the complex nature of the great Riesling grape into this pure and beautiful wine. It is part of the Giesen stable of wines and made with grapes grown in the village of Reil on the banks of the Mosel River. 17/20

2020 Mount Edward Riesling

Central Otago

RRP $24.99

Mineral

What is Central Otago’s greatest wine? Pinot Noir is the most famous but Riesling comes a close second, even if it is one of the least understood styles of wine. This Riesling is dry (every year) and can age superbly into a layered and lemony textural style of wine, but also tastes superb when young. 17.5/20

2022 Esk Valley Artisanal Albariño

RRP $24.99

Indevin

This is an exceptional wine from a great winemaker, Gordon Russell. Russell brings weight and interestingly textural qualities to Albariño, which is the most promising new(ish) white grape and wine in New Zealand. It originates in Rías Baixas in north-west Spain, a region known as ‘green Spain’ due to its high rainfall, which gives it something in common with this country. The Albariño grape works well in cool to moderate climates where it develops salty, lemony, olive notes. 17.5/20

2022 Whitehaven Riesling

Marlborough

RRP $24.99

Whitehaven

This Marlborough Riesling tastes like fresh fruit salad in liquid form, with crunchy green apple aromas, lime zest flavours and a peachy medium body, all balanced beautifully by fresh acidity. A lovely wine with layers of flavour that drinks well now and has ageing potential for another seven to eight years, which will see it develop a smoother, more rounded mouthfeel and flavour. 17.5/20

2022 Astrolabe Marlborough

Pinot Gris

RRP $25.99

Astrolabe Wines

A bright, light, fresh, dry white wine for spring. The cool climate Awatere Valley is home to 73% of the grapes in this dry, refreshingly citrusy Pinot Gris, which benefits from warm days and cool nights. These climate factors preserve acidity in the wine and allow its delicate white pear flavours to shine. The balance of its grapes come from the Waihopai Valley and Kekerengu on the southern coast of Marlborough. 17/20

2020 Astrolabe Albariño Kekerengu

RRP $26.99

Astrolabe Wines

Simon Waghorn is one of New Zealand’s most talented and experienced winemakers, and specialises in aromatic expressions of South Island white wines. This comes through clearly in each succulent sip of this Albariño from the southernmost vineyard in Marlborough, Kekerengu, which is situated on the coast. This small site provides grapes with noticeable freshness, a salty taste and great acidity, giving good ageing potential too. 17.5/20

2022 Forrest Albariño Marlborough

RRP $26.99

Forrest

Winemaker Beth Forrest first fell for the charms of this impressive Spanish grape and the dry, textural, complex wines it makes in its home of Galicia in Spain’s north-west. She returned home and planted the seed of an idea in the mind of her winemaking father, Dr John Forrest. Together, they initiated the arrival of Albariño vine cuttings in New Zealand through Riversun Nurseries in Gisborne. And the rest is history. This is a complex, flavoursome citrusy dry white with beautiful freshness and aromatic layers. 18.5/20

2022 Te Kano Pinot Gris Central Otago

RRP $26.99

Te Kano Estate

Hand-picked grapes grown in arid Central Otago soils provide great concentration of flavour in this wine. It has expressive, vibrant aromas of ginger, white pear and a hint of spice, which marry well with the wine’s lemony notes alongside a soft, smooth mouthfeel and long finish. 17.5/20

2021 Domain Road The Water Race Riesling

RRP $27

Co Pilot

Bannockburn is home to a wider range of wine styles than is often realised – with dry Rieslings and full-bodied Pinot Noirs both expressing the very best of the deep south in wines from vineyards often situated right next to each other, but with characteristics that are poles apart in the style of grapes. This Bannockburn Riesling has bold acidity underpinning beautiful purity of flavour with lime juice and riper notes of orange zest, tangelo juice and a touch of lemon, all intermingling in a stunning wine that reminds me of a sorbet on a hot day. 18.5/20

2020 Settlement Marlborough Riesling

RRP $27.99

Settlement Wines

The wine is made from fruit grown on the north-facing, sun-drenched slopes of the Settlement Vineyard, capturing the best of Marlborough in the bottle with fresh, punchy flavours of lime, lemon, white peach and honey. Not a sweet Riesling, this wine is a medium style with a dry, tangy finish. Even the deep emerald green bottle suggests the great classic Mosel Rieslings. 18.5/20

2022 Nautilus Albariño Marlborough

RRP $27.99

Negociants

Nautilus has made ‘wow factor’ Albariño consistently for the past five years. Volumes are limited but the wine is worth seeking out for its briny salinity and weighty mid-palate that bring freshness to a recognisably New Zealand wine made from a relatively new grape variety. An outstanding partner for fish dishes. 18.5/20

2022 Palliser Riesling Martinborough

RRP $27.99

Negociants

A keeper, as always, Palliser Riesling is one of the great white wines of the North Island. Succulent flavours of peach, nectarine and lemon all intermingle in a youthful but layered wine that will age beautifully, undfolding its layers of citrus candied lemon zest over five to six years. 18.5/20

2023 Spy Valley Gewürztraminer

RRP $28.90

Spy Valley

Plenty of character bursts out of this wine with its intense Turkish Delight aromas that lead into a fleshy, full-bodied Gewürztraminer with spicy flavour notes and a lingering taste on the finish. 17.5/20

2019 Tohu Whenua Matua Upper Moutere Albariño

RRP $29.99

Kono

Nelson has always been home to outstanding aromatic white wines and this Albariño highlights just how brilliantly well white wine is suited to this small region at the northernmost tip of the South Island. 18/20

RRP $30 – $39.99

2020 Pegasus Bay Riesling

North Canterbury

RRP $31.99

EuroVintage

It’s said that the most important decision in winemaking is when to pick the grapes – and this wine shines with the courage of harvesting as late as possible. Pegasus Bay Riesling is an outstanding expression of North Canterbury Riesling, thanks to a dedicated team of Riesling devotees, headed by Mat Donaldson, whose vision is to make a super-concentrated, textural palate wine with flavours running the gamut of fresh lemongrass to ripe candied mandarin. It ages superbly too. 18.5/20

2021 Dicey Riesling Central Otago

RRP $31.99

Red+White Cellar

Central Otago has the potential to make great Riesling, and the Dicey brothers (Matt and James) have done exactly that, bottling citrusy purity in this lively, boldly aromatic white wine. It is a medium style with a fresh dry taste on the finish and loads of layers of tropical fruit running through the palate. 17.5/20

2022 Nautilus Pinot Gris Marlborough

RRP $31.99

Negociants

A dry, nutty and citrusy Pinot Gris from one of Marlborough’s top wine producers, Nautilus. Winemaker Clive Jones consistently ferments this Pinot Gris to dryness, which means it tastes fabulously savoury. 17.5/20

2021 Redmetal Vineyards Triangle

Block Five Albariño

RRP $32

Redmetal Vineyards

“Dangerously drinkable” is winemaker Grant Edmond’s description of his wines and it’s easy to agree with when you taste this dry but fruity Albariño. Stonefruit and ripe citrus combine in a medium-bodied, refreshingly dry and tangy wine with a long finish. 18.5/20

A keeper, as always, Palliser Riesling is one of the great white wines of the North Island.

2023

Pinot Gris

RRP $35

Negociants

Palliser Pinot Gris is made from grapes grown on three vineyards: Pencarrow Vineyard (60%), the organic Om Santi Vineyard (28%) and the Clouston Vineyard (12%). Most of the grapes were tank fermented to 4g per litre of residual sugar, which means this is a dry wine. Light lemon and peach aromas add appeal and there is a tasty, savoury note derived from the wine spending a brief time on lees, which adds depth and complexity. 17.5/20

2022 Quartz Reef Pinot Gris

Central Otago

RRP $35.99

Vintners

Dry, flinty and smooth, this Pinot Gris is an appealing medium-bodied style of Gris from the deep south. It is made entirely from certified organic and biodynamic grapes grown in Bendigo in Central Otago by winemaker Rudi Bauer and his talented team. 17.5/20

2019

Jaunes Riesling

RRP $35.99

Dhall & Nash

A top wine from a top producer. Full-bodied, dry as a bone and full of layered depths of richness. This certified organic Riesling shows the best of Alsace in its stunningly textural style with lovely ripe flavours to the fore and a super-long, super-tasty finish. 18.5/20

2022 Rockburn Tigermoth Riesling

RRP $36

Hancocks

Winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis brings out the beauty in Riesling with this Central Otago wine, which has confident concentration of flavour. Ripe mandarin zest, layers of ginger, lime and ripe white peach flesh all bring complexity. It drinks beautifully now and can age for at least five to six years. 17.5/20

2022 Felton Road Dry Riesling

RRP $38.99

Negociants

This Riesling is the driest of the three made at Felton Road winery in Bannockburn each year. Its flavours are driven by lime and lemon aromas, which are captured in this pristinely pure expression of Riesling, which highlights Central’s ability to produce outstanding, worldclass white wine as well as great Pinot Noirs. 18.5/20

2020 Trinity Hill Marsanne Viognier

RRP $39.99

Hancocks

This wine is a blend of two classic French grapes that often fly under the radar, Marsanne and Viognier, which add layers of peachy appeal held together in a beautiful, full-bodied, dry wine. The blend is 92% Marsanne with 8% Viognier, which sounds like a little but goes a long way with its contribution of apricot skin and white floral aromas. The grapes were whole bunch pressed, settled in tank overnight and fermented in aged 228 litre French oak barriques where the wine spent 17 months on lees, post-fermentation. It was bottled without fining, so retains a rich depth of flavour from the long lees contact in barrel. 17.5/20

RRP $40 and above

2022 Pegasus Bay Aria Riesling

RRP $44.99

EuroVintage

North Canterbury’s Glasnevin Gravels are an ideal spot for Riesling grapes to develop great depths of citrusy concentration over the long, dry autumns. Flavours here are candied lemon zest, dried limes and sweet mandarins and in this wine the sweetness is enhanced with 30-50% of botrytis, also known as ‘noble rot’. This is a type of fungus that shrivels grape skins and results in rich viscosity and mouthfeel. Aria is an outstanding sweet wine, made to drink with lemon desserts and aged Brie-style cheeses. 18.5/20

2022 Dry River Craighall Riesling

RRP $54.99

Negociants

Ripe apple, white peach and fresh citrus are all captured in this pristinely citrusy expression from the great Craighall Vineyard in Martinborough. Concentrated dry flavours with aromatic intensity are the hallmark of this impressive wine, which drinks stunningly well now and will age superbly for a decade plus. 18/20

2020 Domaine Rewa Pinot Gris

Central Otago

RRP $58.99

Dhall & Nash

A funky, dry and full-bodied Pinot Gris from Central Otago, which was fermented with skin contact in amphora to give a new taste to one of the world’s most popular grapes. 17.5/20

For distributor details see the Distributor Index on page 110.

Palliser Estate Martinborough

Réne Muré Calcaires

Top Picks

New release wines for lists and shelves, as selected by Joelle Thomson

RRP $26.99

Dhall & Nash

It’s a wonder that more red wines from the Rhône Valley aren’t organic. The dry, stony soils of the southern Rhône Valley, with its arid climate and low rainfall, make it a strong contender for great quality organic wine. These conditions are also ideal for the opulent rich fruit flavours of late ripening grapes, such as Syrah and Grenache, which are the stock in trade of most Côtes du Rhône reds. This wine is one of Jaboulet’s gateways to its top reds and it has risen in stature over the past five years, adding organic certification to its spicy, ripe summer berry and plummy flavour credentials. This wine offers consistently outstanding value. 17.5/20

RRP $20.58

Dhall & Nash

A stunning red that over-delivers on taste and value for money. Dark, juicy and deliciously full-bodied, it has a smooth mouthfeel, velvety richness, and impressive flavours of ripe plums and black pepper. Paul Jaboulet Aîné was founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet and remained in family hands until 2006 when another winemaking family took over ownership: the Frey family (who also make champagne and Bordeaux wines) now owns Jaboulet. 17.5/20

RRP

Vintners

Clos de Ste. Anne is a hillside vineyard in Gisborne that takes its name from the French word ‘clos’, which means a walled area, and is used by winemakers to name vineyards regarded as high quality in terms of the potential for making great wines. This is a dry, full-bodied and incredibly complex Chenin Blanc. Its elevated site offers cool nights that add succulent acidity and freshness to the grapes, and a satisfyingly full body from the warm days, resulting in a waxy texture and layers of honeyed, apple and dried grass aromas. 19/20

Merlot Cabernet

RRP $34

Negociants

Merlot adds fleshy softness to Cabernet Sauvignon’s structural bones in this youthful Hawke’s Bay red, which has a full body, dry flavours and a long life ahead. The 2021 vintage provided excellent raw material with ripe, smooth flavours in both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which make a harmonious marriage in this young wine. It has strong potential for ageing up to a decade, possibly longer. 18/20

Two of the best things that ever happened to Hawke’s Bay were the warm, dry 2020 summer, and Syrah. While still relatively small in terms of plantings in the region, quality triumphs quantity and this spicy, full-bodied and smooth red wine proves the point. Flavours of caramel, cardamom and ripe plums macerated in sandalwood all combine to create an evocative and flavoursome wine. 18.5/20

For distributor details see the Distributor Index on page 110.

2019 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes du Rhône P45 Rouge

2019 Paul Jaboulet Aîné VDF Syrah

2021 Black Barn Vineyards

2021 Millton Clos de Ste. Anne La Bas Chenin Blanc

$89.99

2020 Black Barn Vineyards Syrah RRP $39 Negociants

2019 Paul Jaboulet Aîné

VDF Syrah is a stunning red that over-delivers on taste and value for money.

Better by half?

Joelle Thomson ponders the future of the humble half bottle of wine…

THE LATE and exceptionally great food writer, Elizabeth David, once wrote that she didn’t know what came over waiters when a woman ordered a full bottle of wine. Twice in one week, she explained, she was given a half bottle instead of a full one, despite having simply asked for “A bottle of X,Y or Z…”

“I suppose the assumption on the part of wine waiters that women are too frail to consume or too stingy to pay for a whole bottle must be based on some sort of experience, but instead of having to go back to change the order, he could inquire in the first place,” she famously vented in one of her outstanding columns in The Spectator. “A bottle, madam? A whole bottle. Do you know how large a whole bottle is?”

It might have been 1962, but have we really progressed?

Aside from the fact that half bottles are not widely available in most restaurants these days, I often know how she felt when ordering wine from male waiters, who, I find, often double check as to whether I am certain that I would like a glass or bottle of X, Y or Z wine, presumably due to its scarcity, price, or particular taste. “I find that people prefer this wine by far and find that one quite challenging,” is a common refrain, which borders on the boring, but I digress. What I really wanted to talk about in this column is half bottles: They are pretty rare these days, but could they make a comeback?

It was a surprisingly complex half bottle of 2014 Escarpment Pinot Noir that

led to huge sales of the wine mid-year. This little half bottle of deliciousness was drinking exceptionally well, but the winery was finding it difficult to sell. I asked for a sample to taste with staff at Regional Wines & Spirits in Wellington, where I work part-time as a wine advisor. The staff loved it, so we bought 24 bottles –they sold out in a day and within the week we had sold 84 bottles. Why did they sell so easily?

Firstly, the retail staff had all tried the wine and tasted first-hand just how good it was. Secondly, prominent product placement and price made it an easy option for customers popping in for a quick bottle of red. A sample of customer

feedback: “I wish there were more half bottles because that’s the perfect amount just for me, since my partner doesn’t always want to drink the same thing.”

Those living alone also said they felt more comfortable opening a half bottle rather than a full one mid-week. And $24.99 for a half bottle is within reach for a top-quality wine, whereas $49.99 or more can seem a stretch too far.

The winery has now sold out of its half bottles entirely. Bring back the half bottle. We wine drinkers will buy them in retail and in restaurants.

Note: Escarpment Vineyard’s wines are distributed nationwide by Vintners NZ, whose highly esteemed general manager, Ric Little, passed away in August, aged 52. He leaves many friends in wine and food and will be greatly missed.

Try this...

2021 Escarpment

Martinborough Pinot Noir

RRP $49.99

A keeper with powerful structure from a small vintage in Martinborough where volumes were down by about 50%, due to cool weather. This small harvest resulted in wines of fantastic structure and depth of flavour. Earthy notes and bold powerful red cherry aromas will develop with time into a great wine.

Joelle Thomson Journalist, wine writer and author joellethomson.com

“A bottle, madam? A whole bottle. Do you know how large a whole bottle is?”

PERFECT. AN EXTRA HOUR TO STOP AND SMELL THE ROSÉ.

Hooray! Daylight Saving is here, so pour yourself a glass and let possibility unfold.

LET GO AND FEEL

Foley Wines opens The Runholder

FOLEY WINES has opened its new cellar door dining destination, The Runholder, as home to its wineries Te Kairanga and Martinborough Vineyard, and the Lighthouse Gin distillery.

Situated on the Te Kairanga vineyard, the new venue overlooks the Martinborough Terrace and is a restaurant, tasting room, cellar door, distillery, and barrel hall. It has three internal dining areas seating over 100 diners in spaces that span casual to intimate, alongside an outdoor terrace.

The Runholder is the largest cellar door restaurant in Martinborough and began launching in stages from August.

Headed by chef Tim Smith, the former executive chef at luxury lodge Wharekauhau, The Runholder’s menus are described as “a celebration of the Wairarapa region’s produce”.

The drinks list features an extensive catalogue of Te Kairanga and Martinborough Vineyard wines by the glass and bottle, including cellar and rare wines such as Te Kairanga’s very limited WPF Pinot Noir and limited-edition barrel aged editions of Lighthouse Gin.

From the tasting room, Lighthouse Gin’s new state-of-the-art 700-litre German CARL still is visible through floor-length windows, with the distillery and bottling room on the south side of the complex.

“We know the strength of the Mt Difficulty brand draws wine lovers to Central Otago, and Te Kairanga, Martinborough Vineyard and Lighthouse Gin together at The Runholder have the strength to do this for Martinborough too,” says Foley Wines CEO Mark Turnbull. The Foley Wines portfolio includes Martinborough Vineyard, Te Kairanga, Grove Mill, Vavasour, Mt Difficulty and Lighthouse Gin.

A Vintner’s Tale

RENOWNED FIGURE in the New Zealand wine industry, Peter Hubscher, has released a new book, A Vintner’s Tale – a first-person account of his life, including his long career at Montana Wines.

The son of Jewish refugees from Czechoslovakia who came to New Zealand, he tells the story of his early life through to first trialling as a winemaker in Hawke’s Bay in the 1960s and returning to Auckland’s west to begin his career with Montana Wines, which would span 40 years.

In retirement, Hubscher’s love of the arts culminated

South Wairarapa Mayor, Martin Connelly, sees The Runholder as a welcome addition to the area’s flourishing tourism industry. “This is a very substantial investment and displays an abundance of confidence in both the wine growing capabilities in Martinborough and in the district as a favourite tourist destination,” he says.

therunholder.co.nz

with the Tironui Music Trust, founded with his wife, Pam, to support disadvantaged youth to learn music.

A Vintner’s Tale is described as “the story of change and innovation in one of New Zealand’s notable industries and an important record of the people who made the world take notice”.

“I have been extremely fortunate in my working career, both in the wine industry and latterly with music,” says Hubscher. “I was lucky that my life evolved the way it did. To have had the chance to be

actively involved in all facets of the wine industry was both stimulating and provided an ongoing stream of challenges, with the opportunity to seek unique solutions and to master them.”

A Vintners Tale – RRP $50.

Peter Hubscher

SJP and Invivo toast five years

SARAH JESSICA Parker and Invivo co-founders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron have marked five years of their acclaimed wine brand ‘Invivo X, SJP’.

The trio met up at the iconic Loews Regency New York Hotel on Park Avenue during a two-hour tasting and blending process to create their new fifth vintage of Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough.

“It’s important to us that we continue to uphold the high level of quality that our customers have come to expect from us, but with experience also comes the ability to reflect on previous years and challenge ourselves to build on the structure, complexity and sophistication of our signature style,” says Sarah Jessica Parker, a co-founder of Invivo X, SJP. “Our final 2023 Sauvignon Blanc blend has an incredible fragrance with perfectly balanced flavours of guava and citrus rind that are mouthwatering.”

Rob Cameron says he believes this year’s wine is one of their best yet. “Each year we aim to hold onto the essence of our style – smile-inducing tropical fruit, full-bodied texture and a long finish, but also pushing the boundaries each year. Sarah Jessica has grown massively in her skills and experience at the blending table and her reflection of previous vintages is invaluable. Our amazing collaboration with Sarah Jessica keeps on getting more fun each year.”

Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc was named in the World’s Top 100 wines in its first vintage by Wine Spectator and has been awarded four 90+ point scores by the publication for its first four vintages including 93 points for vintage 2022. The range also features an award-winning French Rosé. Invivo X, SJP is now available in 18 countries.

SHOWCASE

First Mud House Brut Cuvée launches in time for summer

THE MUD House story started in New Zealand, when a couple of adventurers on a sailing trip of the world fell in love with Marlborough and never left. They purchased land, planted vineyards and used the local earth to build their home. That home became the Mud House brand.

More than 20 years on, with a renewed sense of energy, Mud House remains as in touch with the land as its name suggests. The range has grown and a curiosity for the world and adventure has seen Mud House branch out, eagerly exploring other wine regions and exciting new wine styles.

On that note, the Mud House team are thrilled to introduce Mud House Brut Cuvée. This is the first time Mud House has produced a sparkling wine; it is the perfect addition to the growing range.

Mud House Brut Cuvée has an inviting nose, with aromas of toasty brioche and honey. The elegant palate reflects the traditional sparkling combination of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The long train of bubbles will delight, before revealing a creamy texture and highlighting the dry, refreshing finish.

Coming to market just in time for the summer season, this wine is perfect for all sorts of celebrations. It pairs well with a range of cuisines – from cheese and charcuterie platters, to seafood, or pastries at brunch.

Mud House Brut Cuvée is available with an RRP of $20 and RPP of $17.

Distributed by Hancocks mudhouse.co.nz

Facebook - @MudHouseWine Instagram @mudhousewines

Invivo

Sarah Jessica Parker with Invivo’s Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron

2023 Church Road Prestige Collection releases

HAWKE’S BAY winery Church Road has released its 2023 Church Road Prestige Collection, featuring iconic TOM and Church Road 1 Single Vineyard wines.

The winery says that the 2023 collection is especially significant for the region after Hawke’s Bay was recognised as the 12th Great Wine Capital of the World, joining the ranks alongside Bordeaux and Rioja, thanks to its unique diversity of soils and microclimates that produce a myriad of exceptional wine varieties.

Chief Winemaker for Church Road, Chris Scott, says he is particularly excited to release the TOM Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2020 and TOM Syrah 2021. “From two of the most exceptional red wine vintages I have ever worked, coupled with continued refinement of our winegrowing and winemaking, these are, I believe, the best red wines we have ever made.”

The Church Road 1 wines are a range of single vineyard wines that showcase the unique terroir of the very best vineyards from the sub-regions of Hawke’s Bay, including the famed Redstone, Tuki Tuki and Gimblett Gravels sites.

2023 Church Road Prestige Collection:

• Church Road TOM Syrah 2021

• Church Road TOM Cabernet

Sauvignon Merlot 2020

• Church Road TOM Magnum Cabernet

Sauvignon Merlot 2020

• Church Road 1 Single Vineyard

Gimblett Gravels Cabernet

Sauvignon 2021

• Church Road 1 Single Vineyard

Redstone Syrah 2021

• Church Road 1 Single Vineyard

Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2021

• Church Road 1 Single Vineyard

Chardonnay 2022

• Church Road 1 Single Vineyard

Malbec 2021

The 2023 Church Road Prestige Collection wines are priced from RRP $120 – $220.

Pernod Ricard

Non-alcohol products grew by more than +7% in volume across 10 key global markets in 2022* No/low-alcohol consumption will increase by a third by 2026*

@lostgardenwines

First organic wine from Jules Taylor

WINEMAKER JULES Taylor has released her first organic wine –the Single Vineyard “On The Quiet” Pinot Noir 2021 from Wrekin Vineyard in Marlborough’s Fairhall Valley.

The release coincided with this year’s Organic Wine Week. “We have been talking about organics for a long time, and it is fantastic to finally bring our first certified organic wine to market,” says Taylor. “It is great to have that symbol on the label and to be able to talk about it to consumers.”

Jules Taylor has been making an OTQ Pinot Noir from the Wrekin site since 2016, but this is the first vintage where the finished wine has been certified under Biogro’s organic programme.

Her “On The Quiet” (OTQ) releases are single vineyard selections produced in tiny quantities. The idea came originally from a single barrel, hidden at the back of the cellar and kept “On The Quiet” from husband George. Today, they have evolved into a curated series of small batch wines and a place for Taylor to experiment with alternative winemaking approaches and are a natural home for her first foray into organics.

OTQ Pinot Noir 2021 is RRP $59.99

Hancocks

Stolen Kiss Rosé returns

ROCKBURN’S POPULAR ‘Stolen Kiss’ Rosé is back for its 17th year. The story of Stolen Kiss began in 2006, when winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis ‘stole’ some Pinot Noir grapes destined for Rockburn’s flagship Central Otago Pinot Noir, and turned them into what has become one of New Zealand’s most sought after Rosé wines.

The 2023 release is described as having candy floss and crème brûlée aromas, with flavours of toffee-apple, strawberry and cherry lip-gloss.

“During fermentation, the intensity of the 2023 Stolen Kiss could not be contained by the winery,” says Rockburn Wines winemaker, Malcolm Rees-Francis. “We could smell it halfway down the driveway, so approach with caution. One sniff may knock your socks off.”

Stolen Kiss Rosé 2023 is RRP $32 (750ml bottle) or RRP $69 for limited edition magnum.

Hancocks

The weather is warming up – fill the fridges and shelves with the latest new releases…

here comes the sun

Bush Moa Mid Ale

2.5% ABV 330ml 12-pack RRP $26.99

Moa Brewing

Low alcohol options in the beer category are massively popular and options like this are a happy middle ground. At 2.5% ABV there’s enough alcohol to retain great flavour. A good balance of New Zealand malt and hops presents a nicely balanced flavour profile that keeps you coming back for more.

Garage Project Good Shout

4% ABV, 330ml RRP $4.50, 6-pack RRP $24

Garage Project

It’s taken a while but Garage Project have finally (by their own admission) come to the party with a low carb option. Good Shout Hoppy Ultra Low Carb is the product of 18 months of development and the result is a light, zesty, flavourful drop with excellent hop characteristics. The American Citra and Simcoe hops have a fruity, citrus zip to them and the beer is super drinkable. At 4% ABV and 99% carb-free, this is a beer that will satisfy the craft fans and health-conscious alike. Recommended.

Heineken Silver

4% ABV, 330ml 12-pack RRP $31.99 and 24-pack RRP $54.99

DB

Heineken’s entry into the low-carb category is Heineken Silver – a 99% carb-free beer with only 88 calories per bottle. An easy-drinking lager, the bitterness is dialled way back and smoothness is prized above all else. Heineken A Yeast retains that distinctive Heineken flavour. A welcome addition to the Heineken stable for summer.

Moa Panorama Low Carb Lager

4% ABV 330ml 6-pack RRP $17.99

Moa Brewing

Moa’s low-carb offering is a well-balanced, easy drinking lager that is better for the waistline. At just 86 calories per can and 4% ABV it’s a great option for a sessionable lager. Crisp and refreshing, this will really come into its own as the months get hotter.

Pražačka Pale Lager RED

4% ABV, 500ml RRP $3.99

Q Liquid

This traditional Czech pale beer is a light golden colour with pleasant yeast aroma, a fresh taste and mild bitterness. It was awarded Double Gold medal at the European Beer Challenge 2023 in London.

Pilsner Urquell

4.4% ABV, 500ml RRP $7.99

Q Liquid

Pilsner Urquell, the world’s first pilsner, is an historic beer from the Czech Republic and now available through Q Liquid. Brewed at Urquell brewery in Plzeň in 1842, it introduced the world to the first golden ‘pilsner’ lager.

Bira 91 Lager

4.5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $19.99

World@BWS

Bira 91 is an Indian craft brewery with a range of interesting beers. Their take on a classic lager is a crisp and refreshing thirst quencher absolutely designed for summer. A simple, down-the-line lager, it pours clean and golden in the glass. The flavour profile features pine notes from the German hops and a dry, crisp finish. Coming from India, the brewers recommend pairing it with biryani, curry or even kathi – a roti wrap.

Bira 91 Superfresh White

4.7% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $22.99

World@BWS

Bira 91’s Superfresh White is a wheat beer with a hint of citrus added. While based on a Belgian-style wheat beer, Superfresh has an international flavour with the addition of orange peel from South America and coriander seed from India. Pouring slightly cloudy, this is a spicy brew with a hint of sweetness playing against the tart citrus hops. Would pair beautifully with seafood dishes.

Note: Beers are listed in order of % ABV.

Bira 91 is an Indian craft brewery with a range of interesting beers – their take on a classic lager is crisp and refreshing.

Pražačka Extra Hopped Lager

4.9% Can 500ml RRP: $3.99

Q Liquid

This new addition to the Pražačka brand offers a full character beer from the Czech Republic, with a distinct hop bitterness integrated into the malt base. It features a firm foam and subtle hop aroma.

Sprig + Fern Hidden Gem Hazy IPA

4.9% ABV, 440ml RRP $7.99 and 888ml RRP $13.49

Sprig + Fern

Nelson brewers Sprig + Fern have used the experimental hop NZH-104 to make Hidden Gem Hazy IPA. This limited release drop pours cloudy in the glass and has delicious hop aromas emanating from its misty depths. Grassy and resin-packed, there are pine notes balanced by an unmistakable tropical and stone fruit sweetness. A hidden gem, for sure.

Hop Federation First Drop Hazy

Pale Ale

5% ABV, 50L keg

Kono

This is the first release from Hop Federation’s new Motueka brewery. A blend of Amarillo and local Motueka hops, First Drop is bursting with zingy crushed citrus aroma and rounded bitterness.

Simba Lager

5% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.49

World@BWS

A classic lager from Indian brewery Simba –smooth, crisp and refreshing. An ideal match for the heat of Indian dishes.

Simba Wit

5% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.99

World@BWS

Simba’s take on a classic Wit-style beer is refreshing and crisp, with a hint of orange peel, coriander and lemongrass.

Tuatara Regenerate Pilsner

5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $24.99 – also in keg DB

Tuatara have always had a good pilsner in their range but, like a good tuatara, they’ve also always had the ability to regenerate. Regenerate Pilsner keeps it light and crisp but they’ve dialled up the hops with bold lime, grapefruit and gooseberry flavours. It impressed judges at the 2023 NZ Beer Awards too, where it won a Gold medal. Tuatara have moved exclusively to cans for their beers now and this one looks good in its psychedelic design with a giant tuatara eye.

Pacific Coast The Deep NZ Stout

5.5% ABV 440ml RRP $9.99 – also in keg

Pacific Coast

Pouring as dark as the ocean’s inky depths, Pacific Coast’s The Deep is a stout brewed for the 2023 New Zealand Stout Challenge. Seven different malts give a complex blend of flavours with notes of chocolate and toffee, while the Superdelic and Pacific Gem hops bring in bursts of berry, tied together with a warm toastiness. The brewers recommend allowing it to come up to room temperature to experience The Deep in all its glory.

Pacific Coast Ho‘ōhelohelo

Hibiscus Sour

5.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.99 – also in keg

Pacific Coast

“Ho`ōhelohelo”, meaning “to turn pink”, is a collaboration with Hawaii’s Maui Brewing. Pouring light and pink in the glass, the brew is packed with Tio Pablo hibiscus flowers and spiked with Hawaiian sea salt. Floral and zesty with a delightful tart backbone, this is a beer that will delight sour lovers this summer.

Nelson brewers Sprig + Fern have used the experimental hop NZH-104 to make Hidden Gem Hazy IPA.

Pacific Coast Springwood West Coast Pilsner

5.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.99 – also in keg

Pacific Coast

Part of Pacific Coast’s collaborations with various breweries around the Pacific Rim, Springwood is a pilsner made in collaboration with Wheelhouse Brewery in British Columbia, Canada. Loaded with hops from both sides of the Pacific, the teams mixed Riwaka, Motueka and Moutere with a massive dry hop of classic US Amarillo. The result is a citrusy pilsner atop an oily and resinous pine backbone. The brewers even went as far as to add New Zealand-grown pine needles to complete the collaboration.

Behemoth Chur-toberfest Festival Lager

5.8% ABV, 440ml 4-pack RRP $19.99

Behemoth Brewing

Chur-toberfest Festival Lager is brewed for mascot Churly’s annual Chur-toberfest celebration in Mt Eden, Auckland (home of Behemoth). It’s made using their house lager yeast, German Pilsner Malt, German Vienna Malt, and German Cascade hops for a flavourful, malty and refreshing German lager designed to be drunk out of big Oktoberfeststyle steins. (Trivia note: you will use 2.27 of these 440ml cans to fill up a proper stein or “Maß” in German.)

Pacific Coast Frother Hazy IPA

6% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99 – also in keg

Pacific Coast

Another of Pacific Coast’s collaborations, this time the Mangawhai brewers have teamed up with Lower Hutt’s Froth Technologies, who specialise in yeasts. Using their Spectra yeast, Pacific Coast have created a beer with a thick haze and a luscious body. Riwaka, Moutere and Motueka hops are complemented by Australian Vic Secret and US Sabro for a juicy, fruity flavour profile with notes of pineapple, peach and citrus. Dangerously drinkable.

Behemoth Hop Diggity Dog Hazy IPA

6.2% ABV, 440ml RRP $11.99

Behemoth Brewing

Hot Dogs and Hazy IPAs, what’s not to love? This beer was originally brewed for Behemoth’s 1st Annual Hot Dog eating contest at Rogue and Vagabond for the Road to Beervana in Wellington. This beer uses Citra and Citra Cryo hops to create a tropical, citrus, refreshing IPA. (Rest assured, it contains no actual hot dogs.)

Bach Brewing Malibru California IPA

6.3% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99

Bach Brewing

Brewed in the California IPA style, this new release from Bach is perfect as the weather heats up. It has robust citrus and tropical hop characters thanks to Amarillo, Idaho 7, Mosaic and El Dorado hops, balanced by malt notes of caramel and biscuit.

Pacific Coast Star Class West Coast IPA

6.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99 – also in keg

Pacific Coast

Named for the classic racing keelboat, Star Class is a clean and approachable West Coast IPA. US Idaho 7 and Australian Galaxy hops make for a clean and bitter IPA with aromas of ripe passionfruit and juicy peach. Would pair well with a plate of sticky ribs after a long day out on the water.

Behemoth Laid Back Hazy IPA

6.7% ABV, 440ml RRP $11.99

Behemoth Brewing

Behemoth say they made this “juice bomb of a hazy IPA” to be mixed with citrus-forward gin and took inspiration from Gigantic Brewing in Portland, USA and their Pipewrench Gin Barrel Aged Double IPA.

Behemoth Get Busy Hopping WCIPA

6.9% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.49

Behemoth Brewing

This was Behemoth’s Shawshank Redemptioninspired entry in this year’s West Coast IPA Challenge, which had a movie theme. As the brew notes explain: “In honour of what may be the best movie ever made we make this West Coast IPA using our favourite NZ, Aussie and US hops. Malty, but dry and bitter, everything you could want in a West Coast IPA. I hope these hops were as green as they have been in my dreams.”

Behemoth Reeferendum Hazy IPA

6.9% ABV, 440ml RRP $11.99

Behemoth Brewing

This beer was first brewed for the NZ IPA Challenge 2020 at Smiths Craft Beer House –the same year as the Cannabis Referendum in New Zealand. It layers Motueka, Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka and Hort 4337 hops in a dank and juicy Hazy IPA.

Bad Monkey

8% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.49–$5.49

World@BWS

Bad Monkey is the most attitude-packed beer we’ve come across in some time. The monkey in question sits sneering on the can with a giant cigar in its mouth. Inside, a massive 8% lager is bursting to get out and cause trouble. Bad Monkey is made in India from water sourced in the Himalayas and blended with barley and hops from Europe and North America.

Behemoth Good Morning Vietnam

Imperial Stout

8% ABV, 440ml RRP $12.99

Behemoth Brewing

Bira 91 Boom Super Strong

8% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.99

World@BWS

The Boom Super Strong from India’s Bira 91 doesn’t mess around. The 500ml can featuring a crazed cartoon monkey contains an 8% lager inspired by the highly drinkable Munich Helles style. The malts are evident and up-front bringing sweetness on top of the high alcohol content. Fresh hops provide crispness. A great curiosity both on the can and inside.

Haywards Strong Beer

8% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.49

World@BWS

A full-bodied beer with a rich malty flavour, balanced sweetness and medium bitterness..

Thunderbolt Strong Beer

7% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.99

World@BWS

Another Indian strong beer, Thunderbolt has been brewed in Chandigarh since 1984. Brewed with Himalayan water and French malt it has a floral and fruity flavour with notes of banana. Pouring golden and clear, Thunderbolt is malty and surprisingly smooth for a 7% beer. Enjoy in moderation lest you become thunderstruck.

Gooooooooood Morning Vietnam! This Behemoth brew was inspired by a honeymoon in Vietnam and the intense and flavourful local coffee. In fact, a whole suitcase of it came home to New Zealand so they could make this Imperial Stout, layering eight different malts and then cold steeping a massive amount of Vietnamese Da Lat coffee in the brew.

Behemoth Snow Mexican Maple

Imperial Stout

8% ABV, 440ml RRP $12.99

Behemoth Brewing

A tribute to Canada – this is a big, luscious Imperial Stout dosed with loads of maple syrup.

Simba Strong Beer

8% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.99

World@BWS

The stylish lion in the tuxedo on the front of the can sums it up: this is a beer to treat with respect. At 8% ABV and in a big 500ml can, this is a full-bodied and full-flavoured beer from Indian brewery Simba.

For distributor details see the Distributor Index on page 110.

Behemoth’s Good Morning Vietnam Imperial Stout was inspired by a honeymoon in Vietnam and the flavourful local coffee.

Michael Donaldson Beer Writer of the Year, journalist and author beernation.co.nz

Crystal balls and craft beer

It’s been a rollercoaster few months for craft beer –Michael Donaldson explains how breweries can learn from all that’s happened and shift the dial…

FOLLOWING THE liquidation and sale of the iconic Epic Beer brand, and with Brothers Beer going into voluntary administration, there’s been a lot of talk about the future of craft beer in New Zealand.

The background is well-detailed: huge cost increases across the board – excise tax going up almost 7% for each of the past two years is a massive blow, along with hikes in CO2 costs, ingredients, freight, and packaging. In addition, consumers have less discretionary income thanks to cost-of-living hikes and rising mortgage rates.

The net result is a drop in beer sales coupled with pressure on breweries to keep price increases to a minimum in a price-sensitive market. At the same time, there’s an added squeeze coming on the supermarket shelves as that space moves increasingly to higher volume six-packs with an expectation that they will retail in the mid-$20 range. That’s too tight for many craft breweries.

The on-premise scene is also tight: there are more than 200 breweries in New Zealand and all of them are trying to sell kegs to someone, but the legacy of COVID has hit pubs and restaurants too.

For bigger breweries, large volumes give them the ability to weather the storm, and there are often contracts in place with pubs that provide guaranteed sales. For craft breweries, it’s more a case of hang on for dear life. For small or family-run businesses such as Epic there’s little room to move when the squeeze comes on.

It sounds like a doomsday scenario, especially when you read the mainstream media headlines, but the reality is more palatable. Craft beer has gone through a decade of rapid expansion and the market is now reaching a plateau. While it feels that there should be a retrenchment, ironically there are still new brands coming into the market.

being a sub-culture to part of a wider beverage market.

• Taprooms or brewpubs can bring huge upsides for a small brewery, but it’s no longer a case of “build it and they will come” — there needs to be more than beer to get them there.

Wānaka’s Rhyme X Reason won the Tourism Trophy at the recent NZ Beer Awards. As the judges noted: “They are supportive of local community efforts and the local community supports them in return. Visitors are clearly enjoying the experience that Rhyme X Reason offer and seek them out as part of their Wānaka visit, adding to their overall regional experience.”

And let’s face it, once the economy picks up and summer arrives people will start buying beer again. But there are a few lessons that breweries can learn from the past year.

• The days of someone brewing what they like to drink and knowing they will find like-minded customers are over: craft is a mass-market product now and that means accepting the fact that people like certain types of beer. Hazy, fruity, light, and lifestyle are the keywords.

• On that note, it’s imperative that breweries diversify and think about new audiences. Not every brewery will want to make ginger beer, hard lemonade, an RTD, or a non-alcoholic beer, but that stuff sells. See Good George’s crafted cocktails, Urbanaut’s Kihi range, or Sawmill’s just-released Ginger Beer. Craft has moved from

• Direct-to-customer (aka online shopping) is the future. But breweries need to get traffic to their webstores and then convert those visitors. That means advertising, understanding SEO, creating a great user-experience, and having the ability to offer everything from cases to pick-and-mix. And it must be delivered fresh and on-time. It also means building a database of customers, writing engaging emails and offering incentives to loyal customers.

Craft beer has enjoyed a great ride, and while the brakes have been applied, the journey is not over – there’s a long way to go, especially when you realise that craft’s 20% market share means there are millions of Kiwis who have yet to enjoy truly flavoursome beer. It’s just a matter of finding them, converting them, and then watching them jump on board and never look in the rear-vision mirror.

“It’s imperative that breweries diversify and think about new audiences.”

Tracy Banner marks 40 years in brewing

SPRIG + Fern Brewing Co. owner and Master Brewer, Tracy Banner, has marked 40 years in the brewing industry.

Beginning her decorated career in England in September 1983, Banner relocated to New Zealand in 1994 and has since played a pivotal role in the growth of the craft beer industry, holding the Head Brewer role at Mac’s and as the first female Brewery Manager and Head Brewer with Speight’s.

Today, at the helm of Sprig + Fern Brewing Co., she has expanded the brand to include a wide range of multi-awardwinning beers, ciders and seltzers, which are served at 14 (soon to be 15) Sprig + Fern and Little Sprig Taverns located throughout Nelson, Tasman, Christchurch and Wellington.

In addition to the plethora of awards her brews have earned over the years, Banner has been recognised for her services to the industry as a leader, mentor, and international judge.

She was awarded an Honorary Membership and Honorary Fellowship to the Brewers Guild of New Zealand in 2014 and 2019, respectively, as well as the Morton Coutts Trophy for Innovation & Achievement in 2018.

International Brewing & Cider Awards open

ENTRIES ARE now open for the 2024 International Brewing & Cider Awards, to be held in Manchester, England in March 2024. Founded in 1886, the Awards are regarded as the world’s most historic international competition of the kind, with brewers and cidermakers from around the world encouraged to have their products evaluated by a panel of practising brewers and cidermakers. Winners gain recognition on an international stage, showcasing their product as an outstanding example of its style.

Products can be submitted into nine beer categories with 36 classes, and three cider categories with 15 classes. The classes are differentiated by alcoholic strength to ensure every beer and cider has a place in one of the broad categories, including innovative variations on style including: Sour Beer, Special Hop, and Spanish Style Cider.

For the first time in 137 years, the Awards will be accompanied by a public festival –the International Brewing & Cider Festival

To mark the anniversary (which was officially on 21 September), Banner and the Sprig + Fern Brewing Co. team have departed from their typical styles and released a special, limited release beer: a Barrel Aged Mixed Ferment

Ruby Ale, spontaneously fermented and aged in a Pinot Noir barrel housed at the Richmond-based brewery. Limited quantities are available exclusively from the Sprig + Fern website. sprigandfern.co.nz

– and will showcase one of the UK’s most extensive collections of international beers and ciders.

All brewers and cidermakers who enter the awards will be provided an opportunity to exhibit at the International Brewing & Cider Festival and promote their brand and tell their stories to thousands of beer and cider enthusiasts.

Entries close on 1 February 2024. The judging process will take place on 19-21 March 2024 with medal winners announced on 22 March 2024, followed by the two-day International Brewing & Cider Festival.

For more details and entry criteria visit brewingawards.org

Steinlager Ultra Low Carb goes big

STEINLAGER’S ULTRA Low Carb beer is now available in a 330ml bottle 24-pack format at RRP $48.99. The beer is 99% carbfree and 88 calories.

Lion

Sprig + Fern owner and Master Brewer, Tracy Banner

Winners in 2023 NZ Beer Awards

WARKWORTH BREWERY 8-Wired was named Overall Champion at the 2023 New Zealand Beer Awards, with the annual industry event marking its 17th year.

The Awards are managed by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand and recognise excellence in beer as well as other accolades across New Zealand’s brewing industry. The competition is open to commercial brewers of all production sizes in New Zealand.

The Guild says that this year’s awards received 825 entries from 80 entrants, which was an almost identical number to last year’s event. The biggest category in 2023 was Juicy / Hazy with 135 entries, followed by NZ Styles with 103.

The winners

CHAMPION TROPHIES

Overall Champion New Zealand Brewing Company 8 Wired Brewing (Warkworth)

Champion New Zealand Beer Wild Feijoa 2022 8 Wired Brewing

Champion Large New Zealand Brewery Garage Project (Wgtn)

Champion Medium New Zealand Brewery Behemoth Brewing Company Ltd (Akld)

Champion Small New Zealand Brewery Shining Peak Brewing (New Plymouth)

Champion Micro New Zealand Brewery Workshop Brewing (Raglan)

Champion New Zealand Manufacturer bStudio (Napier)

Champion International Brewery Ballast Point Brewing Company (USA)

TROPHY WINNERS

International Lager Longboarder Lager, McLeod’s Brewery

European Ale Chance, Luck & Magic 2020, Garage Project

NZ Styles Clayton F#$%ing Hops NZ IPA, Behemoth Brewing Company Ltd.

Amber/ Dark Ale Red IPA, Parrotdog

Amber/Dark Lager Lock Bock Barrel, Sprig + Fern Brewing Co

International Pale Ale Sawmill XPA, Sawmill Brewery

British Ale Emerson’s Old 95, The Emerson Brewing Company

India Pale Ale Terrible Lizards, Brave Brewing Co

Juicy / Hazy Music City Hazy IPA, Behemoth Brewing Company Ltd.

Speciality And Experimental Solera, Deep Creek Brewing

Stout & Porter Unforgiven Porter, Burkes Brewing Co

No & Reduced Alcohol Little Mighty, Beer Baroness Brewing Company

Wheat & Other Grain Good George Hefe Mulligan, Good George Brewing

Barrel & Wood Aged Russet, Wilderness Brewing

Fruit & Flavoured Wild Feijoa 2022, 8 Wired Brewing

INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS

Beer Tourism Award Rhyme & Reason, Wanaka

Packaging Award Waitoa Beer

Brewing Sustainability Award Sawmill Brewing Co.

Morton Coutts Award For Innovation Simon Ross MicroBrewTech

Full medal results at brewersguild.org.nz

Tuatara moves exclusively to cans

KĀPITI-BASED BREWERY Tuatara is making the switch to cans in a move it says will meet Kiwi craft preferences. The new cans will retain the distinctive tuatara eye design for which the brand has become known.

Sam Forrest, Senior Marketing Manager at DB Breweries, says: “Tuatara first dipped its toes into the can format in late 2022, and the time is now right to shed our old skin. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a trend towards Kiwi craft drinkers preferring the can format over bottles, with 70% of boutique craft beer volume in New Zealand currently in cans*.

“From a consumer point of view, convenience is a factor as cans stack easily in the fridge, plus they are easy to chuck in a bag on the way to a BBQ. As well as being easier to transport, the 330ml cans are on average 17x lighter than the original 330ml Tuatara bottles,” says Forrest.

The new format is produced on a new canning line in the Kāpiti brewery. The small footprint CraftCan Duo16 is a 16-head, dual lane inline filler and seamer that is tailored for smaller craft breweries and has the capability to fill a variety of can sizes. All Tuatara boxes are still hand-packed at the Kāpiti site.

New Good George Mixed Lager Box

GOOD GEORGE has released a new limited edition mixed six lager box. The Lager Series contains:

• 2 x 330ml Helles Lager (5.2% ABV)

• 2 x 330ml Rice Lager (5% ABV)

• 2 x 330ml Mexican Lager with Lime (4.8% ABV) Mixed Lager Series 330ml 6-pack RRP $26.

Good George

*Nielsen Answers data to 11/06/2023

Fifth “World’s Best” title for Cassels at World Beer Awards 2023

CHRISTCHURCH’S CASSELS Brewing Co. is celebrating a fifth consecutive “World’s Best” title at the World Beer Awards 2023 in London, after its Cassels Milk Stout reclaimed “World’s Best Milk Stout”.

The brewery won the same title in 2020 and 2022, as well as winning “World’s Best Stout & Porter” in 2019 and “World’s Best American Style Pale Ale” for its Cassels American Pale Ale in 2021.

The World Beer Awards is regarded as one of the most prestigious global beer awards, selecting the very best of internationally recognised styles of beer.

The judges described Cassels’ award-winning Milk Stout as having: “Intense espresso notes on the nose, with rounded roasted notes, accompanied by a touch of sweetness, culminating in a very dry finish.”

cassels.nz

New brewery for Hop Federation

KONO-OWNED HOP Federation has opened its new brewery in Motueka, with its first brew made at the new facility – Hop Federation First Drop Hazy Pale Ale – now available. Hop Federation was previously based just 10 minutes away in Riwaka. Canning is done on site at the new brewery and brewers Simon Nicholas and Dean Hunter are revamping the current Hop Federation range. hopfederation.co.nz

So, we brewed you a beer. Inspired by the big bold flavours of Bird Dog IPA, but without the bite. Little Bird is an alcohol-free* IPA, with a deliciously-puritanical, true expression of the hop flavour. It’s so tasty, you won’t even realise you’re not drinking. Until the morning, of course.

Alcohol Free* IPA

*Contains not more than 0.5% Alc/Vol

Just because you don’t want a beer, it doesn’t mean you don’t want a beer.

SHOWCASE

World@BWS brings global flavours to New Zealand

Distributor World@BWS offers an exclusive global portfolio of beers, wines and spirits…

WITH OVER 12 years of experience in liquor retail in New Zealand, the team at World@BWS are now dedicated to bringing world famous and exclusive

beers, wines and spirits to retailers and on-premise establishments around New Zealand.

Based on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, the World@BWS team understand market trends and carefully research each and every product in their portfolio to make sure of the history and provenance behind them.

Highlights from the World@BWS range

The range from World@BWS currently includes leading beer brands from India, as well as whiskey, gin, rum, tequila, Port, and liqueurs from around the world.

Discover the full range of premium beers, wines and spirits available exclusively through World@BWS.

Visit online at worldbws.co.nz

Bira 91

Refreshingly modern beer, imagined in India. Founded in 2015, Bira 91 is India’s #1 microbrewery with one of the fastest growing brands in the world and a diverse portfolio of awardwinning beers. The range available in New Zealand includes:

• Bira 91 Boom

• Bira 91 Super Fresh White

• Bira 91 Lager

McGrath’s Irish Creams

Available in Original, White Chocolate, and Peanut Butter, these Irish cream liqueurs are made in small batches with fresh cream from the local farmers of county Tipperary in Ireland.

Lucky

Sod Irish Liqueur

Storywood Tequilas

A world-first range of super premium sipping tequilas – Storywood is the only tequila range to be fully matured in Speyside whisky and Oloroso sherry barrels.

Indri

Thunderbolt

A classic Indian beer brand, Thunderbolt Super Strong beer is full of citrus, pine, and tropical fruit notes and packs a punch at 7% ABV. Available in 500ml cans.

A deliciously moreish combination of dark Irish whiskey, smooth vanilla and toffee caramel flavours. Delicious served straight up as a shot or over ice. It is also highly mixable – great served long with cola, or as a chaser alongside beer.

Scorch Liqueur

A multi-awardwinning single malt whisky from India. Indri Indian Single Malt Whisky has a nutty depth of flavour from burnt pineapple, citrus, and raisin.

A smooth Scotch whisky liqueur infused with blood orange, vanilla flavours and waves of warming chilli heat. It is great served long with ginger ale, or even to make a fiery Old Fashioned. Or simply serve straight up as a shot or over ice.

Cihután Rum

The ancient Mayan heritage of El Salvador inspired this range of rums, which is the country’s first. It is crafted by hand in the heart of the Cihuatán valley.

Volbeat ‘Seal the Deal’ Rum

A super-premium Caribbean rum crafted as part of the spirits line from Danish rock band Volbeat. Blended from hand-selected Caribbean rums hailing most prominently from the Dominican Republic and Trinidad & Tobago, ‘Seal The Deal’ is a blend of unaged and three- to five-year-aged column distilled rums, aged in ex-bourbon barrels.

Gin keeps rolling on – check out what’s new, plus leading brands from here and around the world…

Note: Gins are listed alphabetically within country categories.

NEW ZEALAND

5 Mile Berry Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.95

5 Mile Distilling

A vibrant, full-bodied gin with raspberries, blackberries and vanilla pods adding lush sweetness to the classic botanical mix.

5 Mile Navy Gin

57.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.95

5 Mile Distilling

A tribute to navy gins of old from Taupō distillery 5 Mile. A blend of botanicals including green cardamom pods, cassia bark, walnuts, lime peel, and green peppercorns are enhanced by New Zealand Giant Kelp to create a briny aroma and taste. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

5 Mile Original Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.95

5 Mile Distilling

Strong juniper to the fore, balanced with spicy and aromatic flavours of cardamom and cinnamon, with added depth from lime peel and green peppercorns.

1919 Classic

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $73

1919 Distilling

A classic style gin with a Kiwi twist, using Otago cherries, mānuka honey and organic citrus. Light and clean, but complex on the palate with a spiced warmth that develops, freshened by zesty citrus.

1919 Pineapple Bits

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $77

1919 Distilling

This was the first limited release in 1919’s Kiwiana Collection, inspired by a certain much-loved New Zealand lolly. Pineapple Bits is a lushly tropical pineapple gin with a subtle chocolate character. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

1919 Summer Pink

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $77

1919 Distilling

Pale pink in the glass, this gin has aromas of red berry fruit and a hint of sweetness. Light and rounded with a strawberry ripeness and a thread of honey, balanced with juniper and spice. Juniper and strawberry on the finish.

Ariki Ultra-Premium Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Beverage Brothers

Rarotongan vanilla and Tongan coconut give this New Zealand-made gin a Pacific twist and sit alongside native mānuka and classic gin botanicals. Delicate floral and citrus aromas with a full-bodied warming flavour and a rich, smooth finish.

Armada Premium Dry Gin

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $64.99-$69.99

Armada Spirits

This take on a London Dry-style gin from Papamoa Beach distiller Armada Spirits uses classic coriander, liquorice and angelica root for a gin that is citrus-forward and underpinned by subtle spice.

Armada Pink Gin

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $64.99-$69.99

Armada Spirits

Fresh Bay of Plenty boysenberries are infused in Armada’s Premium Dry Gin to add a fruity twist and natural colour to this pink expression.

Awildian Coromandel Dry Gin

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $75, 700ml RRP $99

Coromandel Distilling Company

A fragrant and complex gin made with 20 botanicals, including rose petals, hibiscus, blueberry, cubeb pepper, lemon myrtle, lemon thyme and liquorice root. The liquorice is up-front on the palate, with a herbaceous quality emerging, lifted citrus notes and delicate florals on the finish.

Awildian Coromandel Dry Gin –Blue Edition

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $75

Coromandel Distilling Company

The addition of butterfly pea flower to the original Awildian Coromandel Dry Gin creates a vivid blue hue in this gin and adds a colourchanging quality when combined with tonic.

Awildian Coromandel Mānuka Gin

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $90

Coromandel Distilling Company

This gin rests for at least three months in toasted mānuka wood coated with medicinal grade mānuka honey. It creates a lightly floral and delicate honeyed thread through the juniper-forward aroma. The sweetness persists on the palate but isn’t cloying and develops into a silky, warming honey note and a lightly lingering finish.

Awildian Coromandel Spiced Gin

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $70

Coromandel Distilling Company

There are 23 botanicals in this complex gin, including wild pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, grains of paradise, aniseed, blueberry, chamomile, two varieties of citrus and other botanicals the distillers won’t reveal. It has aromas of white chocolate, violets, lavender, white blossom, and ripe fruits. On the palate there are herbal, spicy and floral elements with honey.

Black Collar Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99

Black Collar Distillery

This gin from Bay of Islands distillery Black Collar has aromas of juniper overlaid with warm spice and lemon. Rounded and full in the mouth with a slight sweetness, there is lemon zest and spice on the palate with a lingering juniper finish.

Black Robin Rare Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89

Negociants

A fresh, citrus-forward gin with undertones of spice. The zesty citrus contrasts with peppery heat from the addition of native horopito and the spicy warmth of star anise and liquorice.

The Bond Store Kawakawa Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $49

The Bond Store

Fresh green aromas leap out of this gin, which is made on the Kāpiti Coast. The resinous and earthy nose leads to a smooth, oily palate with intense juniper and a peppery heat balanced with a fresh character. Lingering juniper on the finish.

Broken Heart Barrel Aged Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $92.99

Giesen Group

Six months in French Chardonnay oak mellows the original Broken Heart Gin and gives it pronounced oak aromas and flavour with a smooth, slippery mouthfeel.

Broken Heart Navy Strength

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $104.99

Giesen Group

A more botanical-rich and higher ABV version of the original Broken Heart Gin. This Navy Strength expression uses 40% more botanicals to create a more intense version for cocktail making.

Broken Heart Original Gin

40% ABV, 200ml RRP $28.99 and 700ml RRP $89.99 Giesen Group

This London Dry gin blends 11 botanicals, combining piney juniper with floral notes from South Island lavender, earthy Nelson-grown hops and malt, and spicy notes from pimento and ginger, alongside angelica.

Broken Heart Pinot Noir Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $92.99 Giesen Group

Central Otago Pinot Noir grapes are added to the Broken Heart Original Gin to create this expression with its whisky-like colour. The gin has a slightly honeyed aroma with subtle sweetness, distinct red fruit character and a hint of tannins on the palate, leading to a dry finish.

Broken Heart Queenstown Edition

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 Giesen Group

This special edition gin was created in 2021 to mark Broken Heart Spirits’ 9th birthday. It combines the rich botanical essence of the Navy Strength Gin with the alcohol content of the Original Gin. Fresh and vibrant on the nose, citrus-led with a generous helping of juniper. The citrus continues onto the palate in an elegant style, alongside well-balanced botanicals.

Broken Heart Quince Gin

30% ABV, 500ml RRP $92.99 Giesen Group

The golden hue of this gin echoes that of the quince used in its creation. There is 20kg of quince macerated in every 100 litres of Broken Heart Quince Gin, with no additional sugar or other additives. It has a rich fruit aroma and luscious flavour. Serve neat as an alternative to dessert wine, with cheese and fruit, or as an adventurous match for pork dishes.

Broken Heart Rhubarb Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $92.99

Giesen Group

Rhubarb is macerated in Broken Heart Gin to create subtle rhubarb tartness on the nose and a lingering rhubarb flavour.

Bureaucrats Black Doris Plum

38% ABV, 700ml RRP $75

Bureaucrats Gin

Luscious, slightly tart Black Doris plums with a hint of sweetness dominate this gin’s aroma. The rich plum fruitiness develops on the palate alongside juniper and a hint of spice. A soft, mouth-filling gin that avoids being overly sweet; a deliciously dry, lingering plum finish.

Bureaucrats The Bureaucrat

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $75

Bureaucrats Gin

A warm, woody aroma with classic juniper and coriander, developing into fruit cake spices with cinnamon, nutmeg and subtle aniseed. Complex on the palate: light and delicate with the spices to the fore and a lingering aniseed finish.

Bureaucrats The Doyenne

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $75

Bureaucrats Gin

A clean, light aroma that calls to mind fresh Asian flavours – lemongrass, lime and subtle star anise all feature. These continue on the palate, which is beautifully delicate and finishes with a lingering lemongrass flavour.

Clarity Dry Gin was awarded Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Clarity Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99

Clarity Distilling

Well pronounced juniper aroma with subtle spice and citrus and a peppery tickle. A classic dry style on the palate with juniper, coriander, lemon, peppercorn and a light earthiness. Awarded Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Clarity 2023 Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99

Clarity Distilling

Aromas of juniper, coriander, orris and citrus. Vibrant juniper, coriander and citrus on the palate with a lingering sweetness from the liquorice root before a crisp, clean finish.

Awarded Gold and the Trophy for Best London Dry Gin (Overall) at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards, plus Gold at the 2023 Australian Gin Awards.

Clarity Navy Gin

57.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $85.99

Clarity Distilling

A classic, robust blend with juniper, enhanced by mānuka and charcoal-smoked coriander. Cardamom adds a spicy allure, while peppercorn offers a playful nose tickle. The palate echoes these notes, with lemon and juniper balancing cardamom’s strength. A smooth finish with a floral touch from orris root, bright lemon, and peppercorn warmth.

Clark Lane Piko Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $95

Clark Lane Distillery

A new gin from Waikato distillery Clark Lane. It uses hand-harvested pikopiko fronds from New Zealand’s native Asplenium Bulbiferum (also known as ‘Mother Spleenwort’) to create a soft, earthy flavour in the gin with notes of sweet asparagus.

Curiosity Curious Dry

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99

Beverage Brothers

Using a base spirit made from Canterbury grain, this gin has a rich and complex aroma but is light and refreshing on the palate. Its herbal characters come from an array of native botanicals such as kawakawa, horopito, mānuka and tarata (lemonwood).

Curiosity Negroni Special

55% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99

Beverage Brothers

Juniper is macerated and vapour-infused to intensify its flavour for this higher strength gin that was created to complement a Negroni and provide body to other cocktails. Time in new French oak gives it a woody character with a hint of vanilla sweetness. Notes of spice and orange zest too. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Curiosity Pinot Barrel Sloe

27% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99

Beverage Brothers

The team at Curiosity imports sloe berries from the UK and steeps them in Curiosity Gin for several months using a barrel previously used to age Otago Pinot Noir. The gin is sweetened with natural sugar before bottling. It has ripe berry sweetness on the nose, with a hint of marzipan. Rich, bittersweet fruit in the mouth, yet light on the palate, with juniper undertones.

Curiosity Recipe #23

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99

Beverage Brothers

The single malt base spirit (made from Canterbury grain) used for this gin means the initial aroma immediately calls to mind whisky, rather than gin. But as it opens up, the tell-tale piney juniper quality emerges. It uses 11 botanicals, including mānuka from the East Coast, Gisborne citrus and Otago lavender to create a clean, rounded gin with complex spicy undertones of star anise, cinnamon and cardamom.

Curiosity Ruby Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99

Beverage Brothers

Fresh Otaki rhubarb stalks are infused in Curiosity’s Curious Dry Gin to create this pink version. It has an intense aroma of freshly cut rhubarb leading to a palate of rich stewed rhubarb and a dry, lingering rhubarb finish.

Dancing Sands Dry Gin

44% ABV, 700ml, RRP $74.99

Federal Merchants

With fresh aromas of green mānuka leaves and juniper, this gin is creamy on the palate with warming cardamom and pepper, and a long liquorice finish.

Dancing Sands Lazy Days Lychee

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99

Federal Merchants

Fresh lychee stars in this new release from Dancing Sands. Sweet with notes of lychee, golden kiwifruit, oranges, lemons, and syrupy dates. The fruit profile is surrounded by green notes from lemon and coriander leaf, ending with a long aniseed finish from caraway seeds.

Dancing Sands Sauvignon Blanc Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99

Federal Merchants

The signature passionfruit, lime, and green apple aromas of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc leap out of this gin from Golden Bay distillery Dancing Sands, alongside hints of juniper and coriander seed. Made from vacuum distilled wine and blended with Dancing Sands Dry Gin botanicals.

Dancing Sands Sun-Kissed

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99

Federal Merchants

Fresh strawberries and rhubarb sourced from the Golden Bay area are infused in Dancing Sands Dry Gin to create a gin that is aromatic and fresh. Candied strawberry notes balance the tart rhubarb character.

Dr Beak New Zealand Garden Gin

45.5% ABV, 500ml RRP $69.99

Tickety-Boo

A fresh, lively gin with a lightly spiced aroma. Almost savoury on the palate with a touch of horopito spice and herbal character from rosemary and mint, and a lingering juniper finish.

Dr Beak New Zealand Premium Gin

48% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99

Tickety-Boo

A flavoursome and complex gin from Dr Beak in Martinborough. The slightly higher ABV adds to the intensity. The palate is balanced with earthy spice, fresh citrus, floral notes from lavender, and umami from the kelp in the botanical mix. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Dr Beak Umeshu Gin Liqueur

18.1% ABV, 500ml RRP $69.99

Tickety-Boo

This limited release gin liqueur is a take on a traditional Japanese Umeshu, and is crafted by steeping green ume fruit (Japanese plum) in Dr Beak’s New Zealand Garden Gin for ten months. The tart fruit is balanced with rock sugar, and the resulting Umeshu has flavours reminiscent of lifted florals, almond and apricot.

Dr Beak Yuzu Garden Gin

45.5% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99

Tickety-Boo

This limited release New Zealand Garden Gin has a citrus twist, with flavour amplified by the addition of fresh New Zealand-grown yuzu. A fragrant gin that expresses balanced bitterness with bright citrus and herbaceous notes.

Dunedin Craft Distillers – Dunedin

Dry Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $72

Dunedin Craft Distillers

Dunedin Craft Distillers are unique in that they make their base alcohol from surplus bread products. This is a no nonsense, juniperforward gin with citrus, coriander and spice on the nose and on the palate; a smooth texture and balanced finish.

Dunedin Craft Distillers – The Bay

45% ABV, 500ml RRP $76

Dunedin Craft Distillers

The makers of ‘The Bay’ describe it as a “back to basics” gin that uses coriander, bay leaf, and lemon in its blend to create aromas of lemon and herbs, a great mouthfeel and flavours of juniper with a long, balanced finish. Awarded Gold at the 2023 London Spirits Competition.

Elsewhere Central Otago

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $135 Elsewhere Gin

A contemporary dry gin made using Pinot Noir grapes grown in Bannockburn and macerated in a triple gin for a year. This is balanced by wild thyme, and a matagouri blossom enfleurage (a technique to capture fragrant compounds), red cherries and Otago schist rock.

Elsewhere Endeavour Inlet

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $135

Elsewhere Gin

Endeavour Inlet in Queen Charlotte Sound was home to the botanicals in this dry gin, with its floral and herbaceous notes. A contemporary dry gin with rata flower, rimu fronds, honeysuckle enfleurage, fennel blossom, wakame and mafic metavolcanic marine rock in its diverse line-up.

Elsewhere Fox River

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $135

Elsewhere Gin

Botanicals from the West Coast are blended then aged in French oak to express the wild and rugged character of Fox River in this flavoursome gin that uses rata, purple thistle flower, nasturtium and wakame among its botanicals.

Elsewhere Hahei

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $135

Elsewhere Gin

A modern dry style gin. Freshly foraged botanicals from Hahei, on the Coromandel Peninsula, create a strong sense of nostalgia in this delicate gin. It has a New Zealand flavour of green spicy herbs, fresh seaside nuance and a blush of pink from coastal hibiscus. A limited edition triple gin that includes tarata (lemonwood) resin, mānuka blossom, sea lettuce, and eight million-year-old volcanic rock (Ignimbrite) in its creation.

Elsewhere Little River

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $135

Elsewhere Gin

Pea-flower blue in the bottle, this contemporary dry gin turns a lavender blush when combined with tonic (a shade that its makers liken to “early mornings at Birdling’s Flat” – a settlement near Little River in Canterbury). Wild foraged tarata blossom combine with delicate herbaceous notes of lemon verbena.

Elsewhere North Canterbury

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $135

Elsewhere Gin

This limited edition triple gin pays tribute to the expressive Rieslings with their ripe orange and mandarin flavours for which North Canterbury is famed. This London dry gin captures those qualities with orange blossom, lime leaf, and tangelo peel among the botanicals.

Elsewhere O.G.B

45% ABV, 500ml RRP $110

Elsewhere Gin

Aromas of wild gooseberries and the weathered baked schist where they grew, are neatly balanced with the tangy fragrance of miro berry and Himalayan juniper. On the palate, this gin is supple and rich, with subtle passionfruit and a tangerine peel zing intertwined with a classic London dry structure and minerality from Lake Pukaki water.

Elsewhere Tōtaranui

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $135

Elsewhere Gin

Fragrant and distinctive with aromas of dried herbs, rosemary, wild flowers and forest honey. Warm and generous on the palate with flavours that mirror the bouquet. A satin texture with moderate power. Serve neat or dilute with just a splash of water or tonic.

Exhibit A

42% ABV, 278ml RRP $150 (avail in white/black/blue); 652ml RRP $265 (avail in white) and 1L glass refill RRP

$105

Exhibit A

One of the most spectacular presentations of gin around – Exhibit A’s vessels are created by respected New Zealand ceramicist Gidon Bing and come in two sizes, with 1L refills available. The gin is a London Dry style, juniper-forward with balanced spice and fresh citrus on the palate, leading to a light and lingering finish. The addition of green tea adds a subtle herbal character.

Good George Doris Plum Gin

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $69

Good George

A pink-hued gin with a tart nose that leads to a palate full of tart plum, peppery sweetness, a floral hibiscus note and a hint of cardamom spice.

Good George Lemon Gin

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $69

Good George

Made with Gisborne lemons, this gin from Hamilton’s Good George blends classic botanicals with a serious citrus punch.

Good George Original Gin

42.5% ABV, 750ml RRP $69

Good George

This was the first gin from Hamilton brewers Good George, launched in 2020. It has aromas of mandarin with a herbal character. The rich palate of juniper and spice leads to a lingering finish.

Hastings Distillers Albertine Gin

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $95

Hastings Distillers

There are 38 botanicals in this gin from the distillers of New Zealand’s first Biogro-certified organic spirits and liqueurs. It has a complex perfumed aroma of delicate florals, spice and citrus, which opens up to a palate of exotic spice balanced by a fresh, zesty character. Serve neat to best appreciate all its layers.

Hastings Distillers Autumn Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $75

Hastings Distillers

A perfumed and warmly spiced gin containing nine organic botanicals, this Autumn expression from Hastings Distillers conveys the fragrance of the Hawke’s Bay harvest. Top notes of mandarin, quince and juniper. Cassia bark and fresh tarragon bring warm spice and a touch of anise to the palate.

Hastings Distillers Blossom Parade Gin

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $75

Hastings Distillers

A delicately floral and perfumed gin made to celebrate the annual Hastings Blossom Parade. Top notes of orange blossom, pine needle and rose. A smooth and silky palate combines fresh citrus flavours with exotic flowers and green fruits.

Hastings Distillers East Block Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $75

Hastings Distillers

Fresh, intense lime on the nose of this certified organic gin leads to a clean and refreshing palate of lime and juniper with a hint of spice. The lingering finish is of zesty lime.

Hastings Distillers Ignis Fatuus

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $265

Hastings Distillers

This unique limited edition release from Hastings Distillers pays tribute to New Zealand’s ancient Kauri forests. Ignis Fatuus is Latin for “foolish flame” and refers to a light that can sometimes be seen rising from swamps or wetlands, caused by combusting gas from decaying plant matter, but also associated with fairies, ghosts or elemental spirits. Ignis Fatuus uses a triple distilled organic Sauvignon Blanc infused with kauri gum, juniper, kawakawa fruit and black cardamom. The Biogro certified organic gin has lifted sandalwood, peat smoke and grilled citrus notes. An opulent and spicy palate with lingering flavours of bitter orange and resin. Best served neat.

Hector’s French Farm Petit Pinot Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Beverage Brothers

Pinot Noir grapes from vines in French Peak Vineyard on the Banks Pensinula join syrah, kelp, thyme, lavender and lemon myrtle gathered by local foragers in this gin, which is described as “a taste of Akaroa”. A vibrant, smooth ruby red spirit with notes of a fruitforward Pinot Noir. Bright, silky and elegant with a dash of spice.

Hector’s Little Akaloa Pink Blossom Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Beverage Brothers

Blossoms from Decanter Bay Road in Little Akaloa join thyme, lavender and lemon myrtle gathered by local foragers and are blended with classic botanicals to create a fragrant blush pink gin with a delicate and subtle sweet floral finish. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Hector’s Little River Lemon

Verbena Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Beverage Brothers

Foraged botanicals including lemon verbena from Little River, kelp, thyme, lavender and lemon myrtle go into this bright citrus gin with herbaceous notes and a hint of peppery spice. A zingy and vivacious citrus-forward London

Dry-style gin with an aromatic nose full of lemon. Bright, fresh and fragrant with layers of fresh flavours that add to an almost creamy mouth feel.

Hector’s Long Harbour Ocean

Wash Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Beverage Brothers

Locally foraged kelp, mānuka, thyme, lavender, and lemon myrtle are blended with classic botanicals to create a dry gin with a slight minerality on the finish.

Humdinger Bourbon Barrel

Holland Road Sauvignon Blanc & Green Tea Gin

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $59

Holland Road

A complex London Dry gin that is beautifully balanced, yet fresh and malic crisp with hints of warm Christmas spice and verdant brightness. Handcrafted using freshly picked organic green tea, a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc and a hint of fragrant ginger.

Humdinger Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin

Holland Road Classic Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Holland Road

Based on a classic London Dry gin style, this new release from Holland Road features juniper berries, coriander seed and angelica root complemented with locally grown Seville orange, apricots and Morrison’s grapefruit. Distinct notes of juniper and liquorice with traces of cardamom and a hint of fruity apricot at the finish. Awarded Gold at the 2023 Australian Gin Awards.

Holland Road Ginseng & Mānuka

Honey Gin

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Holland Road

An extremely smooth and slightly savoury London Dry gin featuring an herbaceous spice yet a delicate citrus balance followed by a creamy, candied finish with hints of gooseberry and vanilla. Handcrafted with freshly harvested 10-year-old wild ginseng, raw mānuka honey and green yuzu.

Holland Road Grapefruit & Kawakawa Gin

44% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Holland Road

A smooth and delicate London Dry gin featuring hints of butterscotch and a refreshing balance of citrus notes finishing with a unique, native floral aroma. Handcrafted with seasonal grapefruit zest, raw kānuka honey and native kawakawa.

44.9% ABV, 500ml RRP $69

Humdinger

Aged for three months in an ex-Kentucky Bourbon barrel from Barton 1792 Distillery, this complex gin has flavours of candied citrus, warm spice and a subtle bourbon body.

Humdinger Citrus Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Humdinger

There’s intense orange and lemon on the nose of this fresh and fragrant gin. The citrus intensifies in the mouth and leads to a lingering finish with a hint of ginger. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Humdinger Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Humdinger

Aromas of fresh citrus and juniper with subtle spice lead to a complex palate with a hint of sweetness and citrus. Liquorice and resinous juniper emerge too, before a warm, delicate finish. Smooth, bold and balanced.

Humdinger NZ Sloe Gin

27.7% ABV, 500ml RRP $79

Humdinger

New Zealand-grown sloe berries are frozen immediately after picking (to help break them down) and then steeped in Humdinger Dry Gin for four months. The gin opens with plum and has a bold juniper body and a long, sweet almond finish.

Aged Gin is aged three months in an ex-Kentucky bourbon barrel for complex flavours.

imagination Black Barn Syrah BarrelAged Gin

44.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $89

imagination

The imagination team created this barrel-aged expression by ageing their original Dry Gin in French oak barriques that once held Syrah from Hawke’s Bay’s Black Barn Vineyard. Aromas of red fruit, glacé cherries and a hint of sweetness lead to a palate full of peppery Syrah character, oak and red berries, with a long finish.

imagination Christmas Pudding Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $88

imagination

A spiced gin with a warming aroma, an initial flavour of Christmas pudding and hints of orange and chocolate.

imagination Damson Plum & Blackberry Gin Liqueur

32% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

imagination

A luscious golden pink hue in the glass, this gin has jammy aromas of sweet fruit and a marzipan character. The palate is soft and rounded and full of sweet, ripe dark fruit with a hint of tartness. The finish is long and sweet.

imagination Intelligin London Dry Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $89

imagination

The distillers at imagination turned to AI for the inspiration for this new release. ChatGPT wrote the recipe for the handcrafted London Dry gin, which is a balance of traditional botanicals and added pep from Indonesian cubeb pepper.

imagination Navy Strength Gin

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $115

imagination

A recent winner of Best in Class award at the 2023 NZ Gin Awards, this Navy Strength expression from imagination balances traditional botanicals and a smooth heat of the spirit.

imagination Reikorangi Triple Distilled Dry Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

imagination

A clean, fresh aroma with intense juniper, delicate citrus and a subtle spicy note. The palate is oily with a slight sweetness, warm liquorice spice and a citrus character. Lingering juniper and warm spice on the finish.

imagination Rhubarb & Raspberry

38% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

imagination

This pinky-red gin has layered aromas of tart rhubarb and sweet red berry. A rounded mouthfeel; clean and light with well-balanced rhubarb and berry. A long, dry finish with just a hint of sweetness.

imagination Wakame Seaweed Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

imagination

Wakame seaweed gathered from the Wellington and Wairarapa coast gives this gin its distinctive savoury quality. The aroma is fresh and green with a hint of minerality. Mouth-filling with a rich savoury note and emerging juniper, leading to a long finish.

Island Gin Navy Strength

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $110

Island Gin

An intense expression of Island Gin’s original gin, ideal for cocktails and mixed drinks. It has citrus flavours and a backbone of delicate honeyed sweetness from the mānuka bush honey blends sourced from Great Barrier beekeepers. Awarded Double Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Island Gin Original

43.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $95

Island Gin

Island Gin is presented in a beautiful kinainspired recycled glass bottle. It’s a citrusforward gin with floral notes alongside juniper and coriander spice. The use of mānuka and bush honey blends from the distillery’s home on Great Barrier Island add depth and a rounded mouthfeel.

Island Gin Tangelo

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $110

Island Gin

Fragrant tangelos grown on Great Barrier Island are steeped in Island Gin Original and then redistilled with tangelo blossom and Island-grown botanicals. Flavours of honey, spice, citrus and juniper.

Juno Extra Fine Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $114.99

Thirsty Camel

The signature gin from New Plymouth distillers Jo and Dave James has a rounded aroma with juniper and lemon zest to the fore. It is elegant and light on the palate with fresh citrus, juniper and delicate orange blossom, and a subtle note of liquorice on the finish.

Kaimai Distilling Agatha’s Tears

Dark Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Kaimai Brewing & Distilling

This contemporary gin is named after one of the resident ghosts at the Waikino Hotel near Waihi. Agatha was the ‘Madam’ at the hotel in the early 19th century and legend has it she still roams the halls. The gin is full of robust botanicals, including cardamom, cubeb berries and horopito for complex flavour and a lingering, spicy finish. The gin is black in the bottle, blue in the glass and pink when you add tonic to serve.

Kaimai Distilling Eliza’s Claim Dry Gin

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Kaimai Brewing & Distilling

A contemporary dry style gin from Kaimai Brewing & Distilling in the historic Waikato gold-mining settlement of Waikino. Aromas of rosemary and honey, and a savoury heat that develops on the palate with juicy chilli and herbs, and a lingering spicy finish.

Kaimai Distilling Eliza’s Claim

Gold Gin

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Kaimai Brewing & Distilling

Gold flakes dance in the bottle of this dry, gold-hued gin. The nose is soft and floral, with honey and sweet green herbs on the palate and a warming finish.

Kaimai Distilling Eliza’s Claim

Ruby Gin

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Kaimai Brewing & Distilling

This hibiscus-infused gin has soft floral aromas of hibiscus flowers and honey. The hibiscus doesn’t dominate; it balances the floral tones with the other botanicals and creates a pleasant floral-forward middle ground.

Kaimai Distilling Emily’s Garden Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Kaimai Brewing & Distilling

This contemporary gin is named after the ghost of a little girl who haunts the grounds at the Waikino Hotel. With the exception of the juniper, Emily’s Garden Gin is crafted entirely from botanicals foraged or grown in the hotel’s grounds The gin is dry with a warming texture and pronounced flavour intensity fronted with sage, basil and kaffir lime.

Kaimai Distilling Sirius’ Find Truffle Gin

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $110

Kaimai Brewing & Distilling

This distinct gin is infused with Perigord black truffles and an array of complementary herbs, including sage, basil and oregano. A beautifully balanced savoury gin and one that truffle lovers won’t want to miss.

Kākāpō Kawakawa & Pink

Peppercorn Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $89

Kākāpō Distillery

A gin with a warming touch of spice, a lingering herbal note of kawakawa, and a strong juniper presence.

Kākāpō Mānuka Honey & Elderflower Gin

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $89

Kākāpō Distillery

A smooth, easy drinking gin with light floral notes, a soft honey sweetness and a strong juniper character.

Karven Dry Gin

40.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $80

Karven

This small-batch gin combines classic botanicals with native mānuka flowers and lemon myrtle to create a smooth, citrus-forward expression with lifted flavours of lemon and grapefruit, slight sweetness and a cinnamon undertone.

Koakoa Tīni Rēmana Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.95

The Bond Store

The distillers at The Bond Store pay tribute to New Zealand’s citrus heritage, which dates back to 1819, when the first citrus trees took root in Aotearoa. A zesty, limoncello-style gin, it has aromas of orange and woody cinnamon that lead to fresh lemon flavours with an underlying hit of liquorice and juniper.

Last Minute Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99

Brandhouse

A hint of citrus and Asian spice on the nose, this gin is refreshing with citrus-forward accents and understated juniper. A light sweetness and crisp finish is enhanced by spice and a hint of liquorice.

Last Minute Citrus Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99

Brandhouse

Crisp kaffir lime and succulent mandarin merge seamlessly with grapefruit peel, passionfruit and lime. Refreshingly dry juniper finish.

Last Minute Pink Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99

Brandhouse

Fresh raspberry, blackcurrant and lime create a lush fruit flavour in this pink gin, which merges into a dry juniper finish.

Lighthouse Barrel Aged Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.95

Foley Wines

Lighthouse Gin distiller Rachel Hall spent four years perfecting this Barrel Aged Gin, which was released in late 2021. Using the same blend of nine botanicals, the gin is aged in Pinot Noir barrels from Martinborough Vineyard. The result is an aromatically fragrant gin with strong juniper and citrus notes and an underlying savoury character.

Lighthouse Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.95

Foley Wines

A consistently award-winning gin from one of New Zealand’s first craft distillers. Lighthouse uses a blend of 10 botanicals with spring water from Palliser Bay. The gin is smooth and fresh, with notable citrus characteristics from Yen Ben lemon.

Lighthouse Gin Hawthorn Edition

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.95

Foley Wines

A stronger expression of the original Lighthouse Gin, at a higher 57% ABV. The more intense botanical character makes it ideal for classic cocktails.

Little Biddy Gin – Black Label

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $199.99

EuroVintage

This gin has a fresh aroma underpinned by the subtle sweetness of caramelised limes. Smooth and rounded on the palate with warm spices, subtle heat of pink peppercorns and freshness of the lime character.

Little Biddy Gin – Cask Aged (Port)

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $249.99

EuroVintage

Little Biddy gin is rested in a rich and flavourful ex-Port oak cask to create a gin infused with notes of rich, spiced fruit cake and maple, complemented by citrus and finished with warming clove and cinnamon.

Little Biddy Gin – Classic

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

EuroVintage

This gin by Reefton Distilling Co. has a rich and complex aroma of liquorice, cassia and resinous juniper. It leads to a palate full of West Coast rainforest character with locally foraged Douglas fir, native botanicals and zesty citrus to boot.

Little Biddy Gin – Hazy Spiced Apple

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

EuroVintage

There’s a warm and familiar taste of apple pie, intertwined with the tartness of freshly picked apple, fresh ginger, and nutmeg in this gin. The layers of flavour come from naturally pressed apple juice.

Little Biddy Gin – Pink

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

EuroVintage

Little Biddy’s popular Pink expression uses New Zealand cherries to create a bright gin with sweet citrus and subtle floral notes on the nose. It has a palate of warming spice followed by the complex sweetness and depth of the cherry fruit.

Little Biddy Gin – Rose Gold

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $118.99

EuroVintage

A light, bright gin with subtle sweetness from caramelised lime, floral notes of honeydew melon, lemon drop lollies and hibiscus combined with fresh pine. Rich, earthiness unfolds from fresh walnuts and malted barley grain spirit. The botanical blend includes toatoa, watercress and kahikatea foraged from the rainforest surrounding Reefton’s West Coast distillery.

Little Biddy Gin – Summer

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

EuroVintage

A smooth palate of juniper, citrus (thanks to fresh oranges and lemons) and ginger delivers a light and refreshing gin with a sweet finish from the addition of local West Coast Rata honey.

Makan’s Blueberry Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $65.95

Makan Distiller

An infusion of New Zealand blueberries gives this gin a juicy blueberry hue and lush palate. It is triple charcoal filtered at the finish.

Makan’s Original Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $65.95

Makan Distiller

The signature expression from Makan’s uses natural botanical flavours and an infusion of New Zealand mānuka honey for a hint of sweetness. Triple charcoal filtration for purity.

Makan’s Pomegranate Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $65.95

Makan Distiller

Makan’s Original Gin is infused with New Zealand-grown pomegranate for a subtle sweetness and fruity tang, then finished with triple charcoal filtration for final purity.

Mothers Ruined Citrus Gold

42.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $85

Mothers Ruined

This new range from Mothers Ruined is cleverly packaged in recyclable paperboard bottles. The Citrus Gold bursts with sweet grapefruit, Pink Lady apple and a secret garden botanical the distillers won’t reveal.

Mothers Ruined Fruity Ruby

42.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $85

Mothers Ruined

The addition of raspberry, rose, Pink Lady apple and hibiscus creates a floral, fruity and softly scented gin in a pretty shade of pink.

Mothers Ruined Ginger Emerald

42.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $85

Mothers Ruined

This green gin combines the heat of ginger with a subtle caramel note. Add tonic to change the gin to a delicate lilac-pink.

Mothers Ruined Original

42.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $85

Mothers Ruined

Vanilla, pineapple and coconut combine with classic botanicals for a London Dry style gin that its makers describe as: “dreamy and creamy; a cheeky nod to the Piña colada”. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Mt Fyffe Shearwater

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $95

Mt Fyffe Distillery

A tribute to the Kaikōura coastline and the flight path of the Hutton shearwater endemic to the area. Shearwater Gin combines karengo seaweed with high country rosehip and blue borage to create a fresh, oceanic gin.

Mt Fyffe Woolshed

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $95

Mt Fyffe Distillery

Distiller Justine Schroder has described this gin as a journey through the sheep farm in Kaikōura where she and her family live on the foothills of Mt Fyffe. It pairs earthy tones from the kanuka hedges that protect stock, with floral elderflower found near the lamb pens and fresh mint from the garden. A boldly botanical gin.

NDC National Distillery Company Art Deco Gin

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99

National Distillery Company

Lemon, lime and orange grown in Hawke’s Bay adds lush citrus bursts to this classic London Dry-style gin. Elegant and fresh. 15% of profits from Art Deco Gin are donated to Napier’s Art Deco Trust.

NDC National Distillery Company

Flamboyance Pink Dry Gin

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $79.99

National Distillery Company

A deep pink gin that has been designed to stand out on the shelf and in the glass. Dry and citrus-forward.

NDC National Distillery Company Hemp Gin

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99

National Distillery Company

Toasted hemp hearts (the inner seed of the hemp plant) and lashings of Hawke’s Bay lemon peel give this unique gin its distinctive smoky, toasted character and fresh citrus note.

NDC National Distillery Company

Meow Gin

44% ABV, 750ml RRP $79.99

National Distillery Company

A dry gin inspired by Asian cuisine. Juniper leads, with notes of lush, sweet yuzu, Sichuan pepper and gingko leaf. Delivers a punch of heat that leaves a tingle on the palate.

NDC National Distillery Company New Zealand Dry Gin

44% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99

National Distillery Company

A classic, juniper-led dry gin. With a supporting duo of lemon peel, this is an approachable, versatile easy-drinking dry gin from Napier’s National Distillery Company.

NDC National Distillery Company New Zealand Native Gin

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99

National Distillery Company

A contemporary style gin with native botanicals – a peppery zing from kawakawa and lush sweetness from karamu (a shrub with edible red berries) give this flavoursome gin a unique character.

NDC National Distillery Company Old Navy Gin

58% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99

National Distillery Company

Inspired by a classic, juniper-led London Dry gin bouquet, this gin features lemon peel and native New Zealand flax seed. Traditional pine and citrus notes are enhanced by New Zealand orris root. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

NDC National Distillery Company Verdigris Dry Gin

44% ABV, 750ml RRP $79.99

National Distillery Company

An approachable easy-drinking London

Dry-style gin with lemon peel and native New Zealand flax seed (harakeke). It has classic pine and citrus character with underlying depth from New Zealand orris root. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

No8 Cherry Sloe Gin

30% ABV, 700ml RRP $89

No8 Distillery

This new release Cherry Sloe Gin from Dunedin’s No8 Distillery is a collaboration with Judge Rock winery in Alexandra, with the gin aged for three months in Porto casks.

No8 Dunners Dry Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $75

No8 Distillery

A basketful of native New Zealand and classic Mediterranean botanicals combine to create this fresh, herbaceous gin with its long citrus finish.

No8 Hibiscus Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $75

No8 Distillery

An Asian-inspired gin full of gorse flower, kaffir lime and hibiscus. Sweet, tart and exotic with notes of coconut, cinnamon and papaya and a lingering hibiscus finish.

No8 Horopito Fire Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $75

No8 Distillery

Native horopito adds an intense heat to this gin, which opens with aromas of orange and warm spice. Cardamom and cinnamon continue on the palate with a hit of zesty lemon amidst the bush pepper.

No8 Moka Gin

38% ABV, 700ml RRP $75

No8 Distillery

Described as a “breakfast gin”, this release from No.8 comes at you in three waves: cold brew coffee, chocolate and citrus. It has a rich aroma with a hint of butterscotch, is smooth on the palate with roasted coffee bean character and has a lingering coffee finish with a hint of sweetness.

Number 6 Gin

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $79.99

Brandhouse

A gin using classic botanicals with a citrus slant of kaffir lime leaf and zest from grapefruit, mandarin and lime. Initial aromas of sweet spice follow onto the palate with a lingering citrus finish.

NZ101 Gin

37% ABV, 1L RRP $49.95

Makan Distiller

A clean, classic, dry-style gin, made with carefully selected botanicals and a pinch of New Zealand honey to give a crisp finish with a hint of sweetness.

Old Mate 309 Kaffir Lime Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $78

Old Mate Distillery

Old Mate’s 309 Kaffir Lime Gin uses nine traditional and native botanicals, with citrus sourced from a boutique orchard on Coromandel’s famous 309 Road. Local 309 Honey finishes this citrus-forward gin with a hint of sweetness on the palate.

Old Mate Captain’s Table Navy

Strength Gin

58% ABV, 700ml RRP $88

Old Mate Distillery

A higher strength version of Old Mate Signature Dry Gin, but with a blue tinge to reflect the years the distillery’s “right-hand man” spent in the Navy. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Old Mate Out of the Gate Citrus Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $78

Old Mate Distillery

The addition of bitter orange, grapefruit and lemon myrtle create a lush citrus note in this gin from Old Mate Distillery in the Coromandel.

Old Mate Signature Dry Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $72

Old Mate Distillery

A classic dry gin with coriander, lemon, orris root, angelica root, liquorice root, pink pepper and cassia bark all melded together in a juniper berry “hold-all”.

Reefton Flavour Gallery Gin Series

Citrus Sunset

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99

EuroVintage

Reefton Distilling Co.’s Flavour Gallery Series was created to “explore the boundaries of flavour with more extravagant flavour combinations than are typical within the world of traditional gins.” The citrus expression is a classic gin infused with rich blood orange, pink grapefruit and ripe peaches.

Reefton Flavour Gallery Gin Series HPH

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99

EuroVintage

The ‘HPH’ in this release in the Flavour Gallery Series stands for: “Honey, Pear and Hops”. The Reefton team has layered the gin with rātā and mānuka honey, pear and a twist of Amarillo and Mosaic hops for added complexity.

Reefton Flavour Gallery Gin Series

Rosé Ripple

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99

EuroVintage

This pink-hued gin is enhanced by Hawke’s Bay Rosé, boysenberry and vanilla to create a complex modern gin with a delicate sweetness.

Reid + Reid NZ Native Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $69

Mineral

A dry gin with a fresh, peppery aroma thanks to horopito and kawakawa. A rounded, smooth mouthfeel and a warming finish.

Reid + Reid Rev Dawson’s Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $69

Mineral

This gin is named after one of New Zealand’s leading Prohibitionists, who also happens to be the great-great-grandfather of Reid + Reid’s Stewart and Chris Reid. It has a juniper-forward aroma with underlying woody spice leading to a light, clean palate full of juniper, zesty citrus and a subtle peppery character. A classic dry style.

Rifters Original Dry Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Federal Merchants

A complex gin with spicy depths. Rounded and pleasingly oily on the palate with balanced warming spice, liquorice and fresh citrus. The finish is dry with resinous juniper and a hint of wood.

Rifters Quartz

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Federal Merchants

A line-up of botanicals including Douglas fir, wild thyme and elderberries makes this gin like a forest walk. A fresh, clean aroma and a smooth palate of juniper, spice, pine and citrus.

Roots Marlborough Dry Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $96.99

Proof & Company

This gin from Elemental Distillers is made from sustainable neutral base spirit, with organic hops from Motueka, Gisborne grapefruit zest, Hawke’s Bay coriander seed and wild gorse flower from Marlborough. It has a juniperforward palate followed by a fresh grapefruit and hop zest balanced with aromas of kawakawa and gorse. It finishes long and clean with a silky mouthfeel and lingering coriander.

Roots Norwester Navy Strength

54.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $127.99

Proof & Company

A Navy-strength bottling of the award- winning Roots Marlborough Dry Gin. The higher ABV makes it ideal for cocktails and mixed drinks. Awarded Gold and the Trophy for Best Overall Gin (Contemporary/Navy Strength) at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Rose & Twig Blood Orange

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

An orange-rose hued gin with a juicy, bittersweet aroma of blood oranges. The flavour leans more toward candied grapefruit peel with a touch of cardamom and a prickle of juniper throughout.

Rose & Twig Blueberry

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

Natural butterfly pea gives this gin its distinctive indigo hue, while blueberries add a bittersweet fruit character. Adding tonic or lemonade will change the colour to a deep pink.

Rose & Twig Pomegranate

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

A dry English-style gin with subtle integration of pomegranate floral notes to create a distinctive pink expression.

Sandymount Blackberry Gin Liqueur

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $84

Sandymount Distillery

A new release from Sandymount that uses fresh blackberries picked from the sides of the steep, grassy hills around the distillery to create a warm, spicy richness in this English-style gin liqueur.

Sandymount Chapter Three Gin

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $99

Sandymount Distillery

Sandymount Distiller Richard Wilson says his Chapter series represents memory and connection to place. He describes Chapter Three as memories of the overgrown garden of his first house growing up. It is an Old Tom-style gin made with traditional ingredients and mānuka, tarata, and pear, sweetened post-distillation with honey from the beehives on the Sandymount Distillery grounds.

Sandymount Lovers Leap Dry Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Sandymount Distillery

A smooth dry gin from Dunedin distillery Sandymount. It has subtle juniper, light floral botanicals and a sweet citrus finish.

Sandymount Ti Kōuka Forest Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Sandymount Distillery

A gin inspired by Sandymount Distillery’s icon, the Tī Kōuka tree, with botanicals including kawakawa, horopito, tarata, Tī Kōuka, mānuka, and harakeke seed. The kawakawa aroma rolls into earthy, savoury notes from the Tī Kōuka bark. On the palate there’s a sweetness from the harakeke and mānuka with hints of fresh cut grass and pine nuts.

Sandymount The Woodcutter Barrel

Aged Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $85

Sandymount Distillery

This gin takes its inspiration from the native bush tracks and pine forests on the grounds of Sandymount distillery on the Otago Peninsula. The fresh citrus and aromatic pine flavours of gin mingle with the spice and red fruit notes of central Otago Pinot Noir oak barrels. A golden gin with subtle depth and fragrant complexity.

Scapegrace Black

41.6% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Hancocks

This naturally black gin changes colour when mixed with tonic. It has aromas of juniper and earthy notes with a hint of sweetness that lead to a palate full of floral character; crisp and with citrus and a touch of spice. The finish is sweet and earthy.

Scapegrace Blood Orange

41.6% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Hancocks

Dubbed ‘Blood Moon’, this release from Scapegrace is distilled with New Zealand blood oranges, fresh raspberries and kaffir lime. Bright and tropical aroma, textural and juicy on the palate, leaving a dry, crisp and slightly sweet finish with lingering citrus oils and tropical notes.

Scapegrace Classic

42.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Hancocks

Using 12 botanicals and Southern Alps water, this gin has intense aromas of juniper, orange peel and deep spice. Juniper and citrus lead on the palate, which is crisp but smooth.

Scapegrace Gold

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $125

Hancocks

A juniper-forward style, this gin features a sweetness thanks to three layers of citrus (orange, lemon and tangerine).

Sir Winston Classic

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $85

1919 Distilling

This gin was created as a collaboration between Sir Winston Gin, 1919 Distilling and The Churchill gin bar in Auckland. Made using Lapsang tea (said to be Sir Winston Churchill’s favourite) this gin balances smoke, citrus and juniper.

The Source Pinot Noir Barrel Aged Gin

47% ABV, 750ml RRP $156

Cardrona Distillery

This gin is aged in Central Otago Pinot Noir seasoned oak, adding a hint of blush to the colour and complexity and richness to the flavour.

The Source Pure Cardrona Gin

47% ABV, 750ml RRP $125

Cardrona Distillery

Aromas of juniper and citrus are balanced with an almost perfumed note. On the palate, this vapour-distilled gin is delicate, fresh and zesty, with the addition of seasonal locally foraged rosehip (first brought to the Cardrona Valley by Chinese immigrants) adding a regional character.

Stil Gin

37% ABV, 1L RRP $53.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

Notes of pine-laden juniper and coriander sit alongside peppery undertones, topped with a hint of citrus.

Dubbed ‘Blood Moon’, this release from Scapegrace is distilled with New Zealand blood oranges, fresh raspberries and kaffir lime

Strange Nature

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Giesen Group

A grape-based gin made from the alcohol extracted from Giesen’s 0% alcohol Sauvignon Blanc. The gin’s Sauvignon Blanc origins are evident – it is aromatic and fruity; part tropical and zesty, part herbaceous. Notes of fresh pineapple, candied grapefruit and a touch of kaffir lime and blood orange along with piney juniper, blackcurrant leaf and fresh green pepper.

Strange Nature Barrel Aged

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99

Giesen Group

Strange Nature’s original gin has been aged nine months in ex-wine barrels from France and Germany to create a barrel-aged gin with layers of citrus, berries, and spice. Notes of fresh blackcurrant, with a touch of makrut lime and orange peel; rich toffee characters, complemented by cinnamon and a hint of piney juniper.

Sundown Black Doris Plum

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

This mid-pink small batch gin uses a blend of five botanicals and is naturally flavoured with Black Doris plum. It has a plummy aroma with a marzipan character, fruity palate and soft finish.

Sundown Original Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

A juniper-forward gin in a classic dry style that uses kawakawa and horopito extracts. Aromas of zesty lime and lemon with a hint of floral. The palate is rounded with juniper and cardamom and the finish is light and refreshing.

Sundown Grapefruit & Elderflower

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

This gin has an almost rose-gold hue and a lusciously intense grapefruit aroma. The juicy citrus continues in the mouth with a delicate floral note from the elderflower. Lingering grapefruit on the finish with underlying florals.

Twelfth Hour Dry Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Twelfth Hour Distillery

Kaffir lime (makrut) grown by the mother of Twelfth Hour’s Master Distiller in her home garden is at the heart of this fresh gin. It has a clean, crisp aroma and an initial hit of makrut on the palate, leading to a long dry finish. Vibrant and refreshing.

The Vicar’s Son Ascension

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $134

The Vicar’s Son

This elegant and refreshing contemporary gin has a fresh, light juniper aroma, accompanied by subtle grapefruit and hop notes. Soft and smooth on the palate with a long finish. The grapefruit and hops marry beautifully with the pepperiness of the juniper.

The Vicar’s Son The Good Place

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $134

The Vicar’s Son

Aromas of juniper, mandarin and chocolate lead to a dry gin on the palate with a beautiful, soft mouthfeel. Balanced, bold flavours of juniper, mandarin, chocolate and a hint of vanilla lead into a long finish. Awarded Gold and the Trophy for Best Contemporary Gin at the 2023 Australian Gin Awards.

The Vicar’s Son Holy Spirit Navy Strength

57% ABV, 500ml RRP $99

The Vicar’s Son

Distiller Stewart Martel says they thought the saffron in the original Holy Spirit gin might shine more at 57% ABV, hence this Navy Strength version. It has aromas of juniper, honey, berries, spice and subtle floral notes. In the mouth it is very smooth and full with restrained alcohol. Intense fruit and spice from pink pepper is supported by juniper, the nectar of the rosemary flowers, spice and a burst of saffron with a very long finish.

The Vicar’s Son Revelation

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $139

The Vicar’s Son

Clean juniper marries with lemon, lime and ginger on the nose of this gin. A clean and crisp London Dry style that is soft on the palate with a very full mouthfeel and intense citrus and ginger flavour, carried by subtle pepper notes through to a lingering finish.

The Vicar’s Son Without Sin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $139

The Vicar’s Son

The first impression comes from the exceptionally pure base alcohol note (distiller Stewart Martel makes his own base spirit from barley, distilled to 96% ABV), followed by lemon and cardamom, then juniper and lime.

The Vicar’s Son The Good Place was awarded Gold and the Trophy for Best Contemporary Gin at the 2023 Australian Gin Awards.

Victor Blanc de Blancs

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $90.50

Thomson

Thomson Distillery is in one of New Zealand’s oldest wine regions, north-west of Auckland and this gin combines the original Victor Gin botanicals with the fruity, delicate flavour of fresh Chardonnay grape must. Aromas of candied lemongrass, lemon sorbet and sweet grapes lead to a palate of lemon, stewed fruit and cardamom, lingering juniper and a slightly sweet finish.

Victor Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $85

Thomson

A citrus freshness accompanies the juniper on the nose in this gin, while the palate is delicate, clean and refreshing with notes of lemon, lemongrass, cardamom and coriander.

Victor Lime Leaf

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $90.50

Thomson

Lifted, zesty lime notes pour out of this gin, which is based on the original Victor Gin by Thomson. The lime character continues on the palate alongside resinous juniper and pairs beautifully with the lemongrass and coriander botanicals. A fresh lime finish.

Waiheke Distilling London Dry

ABV 42%, 200ml RRP $42, 500ml RRP $78, 700ml RRP $98

Waiheke Distilling

This is Waiheke Distilling’s “island take” on a classic London Dry. Aromatic and juniper forward, with notes of lemon and Seville orange. The inclusion of macadamia provides an enriching mouth feel, and pink peppercorn adds a spicy warmth.

Waiheke Distilling Red Ruby

ABV 42%, 200ml RRP $42, 500ml RRP $78, 700ml RRP $98

Waiheke Distilling

An infusion of ripe New Zealand cherries sweeten this otherwise dry gin. Smooth, with delicate sweetness, orange and warm spiced cinnamon on the palate.

Waiheke Distilling Spirit of Waiheke

ABV 42%, 200ml RRP $42, 500ml RRP $78, 700ml RRP $98

Waiheke Distilling

A contemporary dry gin that pays homage to its island provenance with a coastal freshness on the nose. Distilled with giant kelp, citrus and a hint of spice. Clean lingering finish with subtle lime.

Waiheke Distilling Unchartered

48% ABV, 500ml RRP $200

Waiheke Distilling

This limited edition barrel aged release has aromas of piney juniper, with notes of Seville orange, dark plum and hints of oak. Bold and rich, it blends caramelised toffee, citrus and warm spice on the palate. Full-bodied and smooth with a warm, lingering finish.

Weekender Classic Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95

Blush Gin

Versatile and easy to drink, with highlights of savoury spice notes. A subtle twist on a traditional dry gin.

Weekender Lemon Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95

Blush Gin

A lively and citrus-forward gin – zesty, crisp and refreshing, balanced by juniper and spice.

Weekender Orange Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95

Blush Gin

Vibrant and full of the zing of fresh cut Navel oranges; citrus-forward with classic juniper and spice notes.

Weekender Peach Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95

Blush Gin

Weekender Peach Gin combines the sweet juicy tang and light acidity of stone fruit with a delicate floral note alongside juniper and spice.

The White Sheep Co. Sheep Milk & Honey Gin

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $69.99

Beverage Brothers

With just a hint of pale yellow to its appearance, this gin has a soft, delicately creamy aroma with a slightly honeyed (almost toffee) sweetness. It’s silky, full and rounded on the palate with delicious flavours of crème brûlée. Ideal served neat or as a dessert martini.

YEN Gin

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $94.99

Tickety-Boo

This London Dry-style gin has a gentle juniper aroma with subtle herbal character and a suggestion of rose. Smooth on the palate, with a quick spice and pepper hit, a hint of sweetness and a green freshness from the kawakawa. The finish is long and smooth.

AUSTRALIA

Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $89

Archie Rose Distilling Co.

Macedonian juniper is joined by single estate Australian coriander seed, Tahitian lime and lemon scented gum in the botanical line-up for this gin. It has a supple start on the palate that makes way for a bold balance of citrus and herbaceous intensity, leading to a pine-laden dry finish.

Archie Rose Distiller’s Strength Gin

52.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $99

Archie Rose Distilling Co.

Sixteen botanicals are uniquely infused and individually copper pot distilled to create this bold gin. Underpinned by pronounced juniper notes, it features NSW pear, rose, elderflower, and honey collected from the distillery’s own hives.

Archie Rose Lemon Scented Gum Gin

Harvest 2021

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $89

Archie Rose Distilling Co.

The annual vintage Harvest Series from Archie Rose heroes growers, providores, foragers and local regions. Harvest Gin 2021 spotlights aromatic lemon-scented gum grown by Cyan and Martin at Bunyip Hollow in Victoria. The Australian native is underpinned by emerald green finger lime, juniper, coriander seed and orris root, creating vibrant notes of lime sherbet, apple blossom and pine, followed by flavours of lemon ice blocks, mango and eucalyptus lollies.

Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79

Archie Rose Distilling Co.

This cornerstone gin in the Archie Rose Signature Range features eight individually distilled botanicals, including sunrise lime and Geraldton waxflower, both native to Western Australia, and Dorrigo Pepperleaf sourced from Northern NSW. Aromatics of lime, citrus and pepper join a solid juniper backbone, while flavours of stonefruit, fresh garden herbs, pine and subtle eucalyptus are rich and expressive with a persistent and lingering finish.

Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $77

Mineral

An Australian interpretation of a classic London Dry Gin, this gin is distilled with 25 botanicals, 17 of which are native to the Cape Byron rainforest.

Callington Mill Poltergeist

Unfiltered Gin

41.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $104.99

Glengarry

The only gin in the world to win Platinum awards back-to-back at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Poltergeist Gin from Tasmanian distillery Callington Mill provides an intriguing aroma of Australian lemon myrtle and sweet mixed citrus. The pleasant, creamy mouthfeel segues into fresh, woody tones and a slight lingering citrus. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin

37.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $71.99

Lion

With wine-producing Yarra Valley as their home, the team at Four Pillars take advantage of the local product and steep Shiraz grapes in their Rare Dry Gin to create this unique expression. It has aromas of fresh pine needles and spice, and a peppery, dense raspberry character. The palate is sweet, with long juniper and spice characters to finish. It is unfiltered and bottled a deep purple that turns iridescent pink when mixed with tonic or soda.

Four Pillars Fresh Yuzu Gin

41.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $71.99

Lion

A bright and aromatic dry gin made with Australian-grown yuzu, which adds fresh citrus notes, accompanied by deeper citrus character from finger lime. Ginger, turmeric and sencha genmaicha (a Japanese green tea with roasted brown rice) bring depth of flavour.

Four Pillars Navy Strength Gin

58.8% ABV, 500ml RRP $82.99

Lion

Native finger limes, fresh ginger and turmeric are added to the mix in this Navy Strength expression from Four Pillars. It has lifted aromatics of lime curd, pine needles, and fragrant spices with a vanilla character. The palate is intense but clean.

Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin

43.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $71.99

Lion

This gin uses olive leaf and oil sourced from Cobram Estate in northern Victoria, along with coriander seed, rosemary, bay leaf, lemon myrtle, macadamia, lemon and grapefruit. It has a savoury quality and is ideal for a dirty Martini or Spanish-inspired gin and tonic.

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin

41.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $71.99

Lion

Described as “a truly modern Australia gin”, this is a classic dry gin that combines spice and citrus. Cinnamon and star anise add rich fruit cake tones, Tasmanian pepperberry leaf creates warmth and lemon myrtle is a delicate alternative to lemon peel. Whole oranges used in the blend offer a highly aromatic nose and palate that supports the spicy botanicals.

Four Pillars Spiced Negroni

43.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $71.99

Lion

A gin designed specifically for use in a Negroni cocktail. This tailored offering from Four Pillars is highly aromatic, rich and spicy. Botanicals such as grains of paradise and Indonesian cubeb give it the weight to stand up to the punchy flavours of a classic Negroni.

The annual vintage Harvest Series from Archie Rose heroes growers, providores, foragers and local regions.

Ink Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Tickety-Boo

This gin pours a striking light indigo colour and transforms to brilliant violet when tonic is added. Butterfly pea is the key to the colourchanging trick and makes its presence felt in the gin with a subtle herbal note alongside the warm spice, pepper and zesty citrus from lemon myrtle leaf and sweet orange peel.

McHenry Sloe Gin

41.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Glengarry

A traditional English-style sloe gin from McHenry Distillery in Tasmania, crafted since 2012 using locally foraged sloe berries. These are steeped in McHenry’s Classic Gin for 18 months to create a richly flavoured and vibrantly coloured gin.

Melbourne Gin Company Dry Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99

Hancocks

Melbourne Dry is described as “a classic gin with a twist of Melbourne”. Classic juniper, coriander, angelica, orris and cassia are joined by grapefruit peel and rosemary from the distillery’s garden at Gembrook Hill Vineyard in the Yarra Valley. Other “locals” are macadamia, sandalwood, honey lemon myrtle and organic Navel orange.

Never Never Ginache Gin

38% ABV, 500ml RRP $78.99

Proof & Company

Grenache grapes grown in the McLaren Vale region are crushed and steeped in Never

Never Triple Juniper Gin. The ruby-hued gin turns bright hibiscus pink when diluted with tonic or soda. It has flavours of freshly picked raspberries and tinned plum, with plush tannins and a silky, ripe body.

Never Never Juniper Freak Gin

58% ABV, 500ml RRP $89.99

Proof & Company

A Navy Strength gin designed to highlight the juniper character. Bold, intense and aromatic –fragrant and drying on the palate.

Never Never Oyster Shell Gin

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $78.99

Proof & Company

A gin designed to evoke the Australian coastline, it uses Kangaroo Island oyster shell, wax flower, Tasmanian wakame, coastal daisy bush, saltbush and round mint. Fresh sea spray aromas, savoury minerality on the palate and hints of native greens and salted citrus.

Never Never Southern Strength Gin

52% ABV, 500ml RRP $81.99

Proof & Co

A higher strength version of this Australian distillery’s Triple Juniper Gin, with more intense angelica, coriander and lemon characters. Aromas of pine mix with bright citrus and earthy angelica. A full-flavoured gin, juniper leads on the palate with pepperberry spice and cinnamon warmth on the finish.

Never Never Triple Juniper

43% ABV, 500ml RRP $70.99

Proof & Company

A combination of steeping, pot and vapour distillation showcase juniper in this gin. On the palate it has a bright citrus character, intense juniper and earthy undertones of angelica, orris root, and woody spice. The finish is long, complex and dry with lingering juniper.

Papa Salt Coastal Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $91.99

Tickety-Boo

A new gin created by five friends, distilled in Byron Bay, and designed to celebrate native Australian botanicals and long summer days. Zesty wax flower, hibiscus and citrus peel join nutty wattleseed, the mild spice of pink peppercorn and an unmistakable minerality from a hint of oyster shell.

Prohibition Bathtub Cut Gin

69% ABV, 500ml RRP $149.99

Thirsty Camel

Designed for cocktails at a punchy 69% ABV, this gin has a bold nose of vanilla and juniperspice, herbaceous tones and floral notes. The palate leads with a confectionery junipercome-aniseed flavour with a warm finish of cinnamon and almond nuttiness.

Prohibition Blood Orange Gin

44% ABV, 500ml RRP $113.99

Thirsty Camel

A citrus-forward gin using blood oranges sourced from a single South Australian orchard, with lemons and mandarins for citrus contrast and depth. Strawberry gum, chamomile and cinnamon myrtle enhance the floral characteristics.

Prohibition Moonlight Gin

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $112.99

Thirsty Camel

Described as “an homage to all things flourishing under the cover of darkness” this gin combines cold distilled Pink Lady apple with native Australian blood limes and rare red juniper. Black goji, clove, hibiscus, and sandalwood nut all add to the complexity.

Prohibition Navy Strength

58% ABV, 500ml RRP $132.99

Thirsty Camel

An intense gin with a salty aroma that gives way to notes of native lime and seagrass. Hints of sweetness on the palate from macadamia and vanilla leading to a lifted finish of ginger, grapefruit peel and salt.

New gin Papa Salt is distilled in Byron Bay, and designed to celebrate native Australian botanicals.

Prohibition Original Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $135.99

Thirsty Camel

Wormwood (better known for creating absinthe) is amongst the botanicals in this gin, which has a fresh citrus edge from blood orange and ruby red grapefruit. Australian native lemon myrtle and subtle notes of green tea, vanilla and lavender soften the warm, peppery finish.

Prohibition Juniperus

48% ABV, 500ml RRP $107.99

Thirsty Camel

Juniper is distilled whole, crushed, macerated, and vapour infused to attain the highest possible level of complexity and depth in this gin. Grains of Paradise and cassia bark add warmth and structure. Riverland citrus provides lift, softened by vanilla and macadamia.

Three Cuts Distiller’s Release

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.95

Kana Beverages

This gin is made from scratch in small batches in Tasmania, using a premium grape base. The name refers to the three cuts of rose distilled into the gin, including fresh locally grown roses from the Tamar Valley near the distillery. The gin has layered notes of green cardamom, fresh lime and lemon, organic juniper, coriander, a hint of white peppercorn and rose.

Three Cuts Founder’s Release

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.95

Kana Beverages

A versatile gin with enticing florals on the nose alongside juniper and lime. In the mouth, there is rose on a light juniper base with bold cinnamon spice and lime notes. The finish is bright and vibrant with a subtle sweetness that lingers.

TAHITI

Encore Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.95

Makan Distiller

A versatile, small-batch, handcrafted gin from Tahiti made in the London Dry style.

SOUTH AFRICA

ClemenGold Gin

43% ABV, 750ml RRP $99.95

Kana Beverages

ClemenGold is South Africa’s leading mandarin and gives this gin its fresh citrus character. Made in Cape Town, it’s a dry gin full of classic botanicals with sundried ClemenGold peels adding a juicy citrus note.

JAPAN

Etsu Double Orange Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Tickety-Boo

Distilled at the Akita Distillery on Honshu Island, this gin is macerated for seven days using traditional botanicals such as Japanese bitter orange peel, juniper berries and liquorice root. It has aromas of orange, yuzu and lemon with a fresh, rounded finish.

Etsu Double Yuzu Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Tickety-Boo

A fresh citrus gin with intense yuzu and lemon on the nose and in the mouth. The finish is rounded, fresh and supple.

Etsu Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Tickety-Boo

Made on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, this gin has floral and vegetal aromas, with persistent notes of yuzu. It’s fresh and wellbalanced on the palate, peppery with hints of green teas and berries. Sansho pepper on the finish with yuzu aromas.

Etsu Pacific Ocean Gin

45% AVB, 700ml RRP $89.99

Tickety-Boo

Fresh mountain water and sea water from the Sea of Japan are added to the botanical line-up in this gin, designed to evoke the Japanese coastline. It has a fresh aroma with a salty character that continues on the palate, balanced with yuzu. A silky finish.

Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin

45.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $104.99

Pernod Ricard

Distinctive Japanese botanicals give this gin its unique character. The botanicals are grouped into Citrus, Tea, Herbal, Spice and Fruity & Floral and macerated in premium rice spirit before being distilled individually. Lifted zesty aroma of yuzu with a hint of pepper; the palate is fresh and light with spice and a finish of warm ginger.

Ki No Bi ‘Sei’ Kyoto Dry Gin

54.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $124.99

Pernod Ricard

A high-proof bottling based on the original Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin (see above) designed for use in cocktails. This blend highlights the maximum intensity of each botanical.

Ki No Tea Kyoto Dry Gin

45.1% ABV, 700ml RRP $124.99

Pernod Ricard

Created in collaboration with an historic tea-grower and blender based in the famous Uji region south of Kyoto, this gin uses superpremium Gyokuru and Tencha teas. It has a delicately sweet aroma, which is echoed on the palate. Notes of white chocolate followed by juniper lead to a long, clean finish of green tea.

Roku

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99, 1L RRP $92.99

Beam Suntory

Six Japanese botanicals (sakura leaf, sakura flower, gyokuro tea, sencha tea, sanshō pepper and yuzu) are distilled individually then blended with eight traditional gin botanicals to create Roku. It has aromas of juniper, with spicy pepper and an undertone of green tea. Smooth on the palate with fresh yuzu citrus giving way to intense pepper spice with a hint of delicate green tea. The hexagonal shaped bottle is to reflect the six Japanese botanicals.

Ukiyo Japanese Blossom Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Hancocks

This gin was designed to capture the cherry blossom aromas that surround the distillery’s home in Kagoshima. A base of locally-grown barley is distilled into a traditional shōchū spirit and combined with juniper, regional citrus, local cherry blossom and native botanicals. It has notes of cherry blossom, orange, Parma violet, coriander and woody spice. Awarded Double Gold at the NZ Spirits Awards.

Ukiyo Yuzu Citrus Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Hancocks

The same shōchū spirit as in the Cherry Blossom gin (above) is redistilled with juniper, yuzu, regional citrus and botanicals for a gin designed to honour the 1500-year-old tradition of cultivating and harvesting yuzu in Japan. The tart, fragrant notes of yuzu dominate the aroma and palate, with bitter orange, coriander, pine, lavender and Matcha tea.

CHINA

Peddlers Salted Plum Gin

45.7% ABV, 750ml RRP $63.99

Proof & Company

A rare Chinese take on a traditional sloe gin. Peddlers Shanghai Gin (below) is infused with salted plum, mulberry, orange peel and osmanthus (a native Asian evergreen) and aged for a month in Oloroso sherry barrels to give a dry finish.

Peddlers Shanghai Gin

45.7% ABV, 750ml RRP $95.99

Proof & Company

Described as “the world’s first Shanghai craft gin”, Peddlers is a vapour-infused gin using Sichuan pepper, Buddha’s hand (a type of citrus) and lotus flower.

ENGLAND

Ableforth’s Bathtub Gin

43.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $86.99

Proof & Company

This gin is made from a wheat grain copper-pot still spirit infused with juniper, dried Seville orange peel, coriander, clove, cassia bark and cardamom. It has a juniper-rich aroma with a hint of cardamom, orange blossom and cinnamon. A creamy mouthfeel with a palate of juniper and lingering spice with slight orange peel character.

Barrister Blue Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $53

Q Liquid

This distinctly blue-hued gin was created especially for use in gin and tonics.

Barrister Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $53

Q Liquid

This was the first gin in the Barrister range. Classic botanicals such as juniper, angelica, lemon peel and coriander are combined to create a crisp, dry gin.

Barrister Mumbai Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99

Q Liquid

Cumin, cardamom, allspice and coriander add a twist of India to the classic dry style of Barrister, along with a hit of heat from cubeb pepper.

Barrister Old Tom Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $53

Q Liquid

In accordance with the Old Tom category, this gin from Barrister is slightly sweetened to create a rounder, richer taste. Black pepper and allspice, nutmeg, almonds, and cubeb pepper are added to highlight its spicy, oriental character.

Barrister Orange Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $55

Q Liquid

This slightly higher strength gin with its intense aroma and flavour of ripe oranges lends itself to cocktail making.

Barrister Pink Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $53

Q Liquid

Classic botanicals and berries are distilled separately for this pink expression from Barrister. It has an intense, bright, and fruity aroma with subtle notes of pink blossom and flavours of strawberry.

Beefeater 24

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99

Pernod Ricard

Beefeater Master Distiller, Desmond Payne (MBE), created this gin after being inspired by tea’s potential as a botanical during a visit to Japan. Sencha and Chinese green teas give clean, green notes to the gin, which also features grapefruit peel. The ‘24’ refers to the botanicals steeping in the spirit for 24 hours before distillation.

Beefeater Blood Orange

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $51.99

Pernod Ricard

Aromas of fresh citrus and intense blood orange lead to bitter-sweet blood orange on the palate of this gin, alongside classic juniper and angelica, developing into a long, rich finish. The blood orange colour also holds when mixed with tonic.

Beefeater London Dry

40% ABV, 1L RRP $55.99

Pernod Ricard

A quintessential London Dry gin made with big juniper character and strong citrus notes. It is still made to the original recipe created by Beefeater founder James Burrough, using bold juniper, zesty Seville orange and lemon peel.

Beefeater Pink

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $51.99

Pernod Ricard

Beefeater’s Pink expression combines natural strawberry flavour with citrus and classic juniper botanicals.

Bloom Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99

Federal Merchants

A fresh, fragrant gin with distinctive aromas of chamomile, honeysuckle and pomelo. Light and floral on the palate with a touch of sweetness and a smooth finish.

Bombay Bramble

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

Lion

This expression from Bombay Sapphire uses an infusion of fresh blackberries and raspberries to create a rich and vibrant berry fruit flavour with no added sugar or artificial flavours.

Bombay Premier Cru

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Lion

This release from Bombay Sapphire showcases the vibrant citrus of Murcia, in south-east Spain. Spanish Fino lemons, mandarins and sweet Navel oranges are hand-picked and peeled by local growers who then dry the peels in the sun to capture the oils used in this citrusforward gin.

Bombay Sapphire

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $51.99 and 1L RRP $69.99

Lion

The distinctive ice-blue bottle of Bombay Sapphire is a staple behind bars around the world. Flavours of juniper and citrus lead on the palate, along with spice from liquorice and coriander and underlying light woody notes.

Bulldog Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $82.99

Thirsty Camel

Bulldog’s distinctive spiked collar bottle references the punk rock era of modern England, while the London Dry gin inside was designed to capture the spirit of the original British bulldog, Winston Churchill. A subtle juniper character sits alongside delicate floral and citrus aromas and flavour.

Cotswolds Dry Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

A dry gin made with nine botanicals, including locally sourced lavender. The distillery uses 10 times the botanical quantity of most gins, meaning it’s likely to cloud when ice or tonic is added due to the high levels of natural oils and flavours. The gin is sweet and piney with an earthy background; a hearty gin with a herbaceous quality as well, lifted by citrus and cooling eucalyptus.

Cotswolds ‘Old Tom’ Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

The Cotswolds ‘Old Tom’ gin is in keeping with a traditional Old Tom, slightly sweetened with natural sugar syrup and with the distillery’s woody notes from liquorice root, light spice from ginger, zesty orange citrus and a hint of cardamom.

Cotswolds Wildflower Gin

41.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

Inspired by the famed grasslands of the Cotswolds, the No.1 Wildflower Gin is a blend of cornflowers, lavender and orange layered over a classic dry gin. Bursting with zesty orange notes, Cotswolds Wildflower Gin is fresh, floral and fruity with a pleasantly dry finish.

Fords Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

Hancocks

A mix of nine botanicals, Fords Gin starts with a traditional base of juniper and coriander seed balanced by citrus, florals and spices. Steeped for 15 hours before distillation, the botanicals deliver an aromatic, fresh and floral spirit with elegant notes of jasmine and grapefruit.

Bombay Premier Cru showcases the vibrant citrus of Murcia in Spain, with lemon, mandarin and orange

Gordon’s Gin Original

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $41.99 and 1L RRP $49.99

Lion

A consistently awarded classic London Dry gin. Smooth, refreshing and juniper-forward with zesty citrus.

Gordon’s Mediterranean Orange

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99

Lion

A fresh and zesty orange gin that pairs classic Gordon’s with the intense citrus character of Mediterranean oranges.

Gordon’s Pink Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99

Lion

A blush-pink gin that combines Gordon’s Gin with natural fruit flavours of raspberries and strawberries, and the tang of redcurrant.

Greenall’s Original London Dry

37.5% ABV, 1L RRP $49.99

Federal Merchants

A classic London Dry gin with rounded juniper notes and fresh, punchy citrus. It’s smooth on the palate with citrus and spice. A lasting finish of delicate bitterness and residual sweetness.

Greenall’s Wild Berry

37.5% ABV, 1L RRP $49.99

Federal Merchants

This pink-hued gin has subtle aromas of red fruit balanced with rounded juniper notes and fresh citrus. On the palate there is citrus with underlying fruit and delicate sweetness on the finish.

Hayman’s Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99 Hancocks

A classic London Dry gin using 10 botanicals steeped in English wheat spirit prior to distillation. Fresh, crisp and with a lively citrus finish.

Hayman’s London Light

12.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99 Hancocks

Created to offer a new way of enjoying a G&T with lower alcohol, Hayman’s London Light is distilled to retain the flavour of the botanicals, but at just 12.4% ABV. It is citrusy and smooth with notes of piney juniper.

Hayman’s Old Tom

41.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99

Hancocks

Made in the slighter sweeter style of an Old Tom, this gin has a bold citrus and juniper pine character that is smooth and delicate with a subtle underlying sweetness.

Hayman’s Peach Rose Cup

25% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99

Hancocks

This summery expression combines Hayman’s London Dry with notes of fresh peach, sweet rose and juicy orchard fruit. Juicy palate full of sweet peach, pears, light cucumber and fragrant rose. Delicate finish.

Hayman’s Royal Dock Navy Strength

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Hancocks

This gin was first supplied to the English Admiralty in 1863. It has a subtle juniper aroma, while on the palate the juniper intensifies, balanced with citrus and spice and a lingering finish of pepper and liquorice.

Hayman’s Sloe Gin

26% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99

Hancocks

Hayman’s version of this British classic has intense plummy aromas, a hint of almond and delicious fruit flavours. A complex, warming finish.

Martin Miller’s 9 Moons Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $139.99

Thirsty Camel

The first cask-aged gin from Martin Miller, this is matured for nine months in American oak bourbon barrels. The slight vanilla sweetness from the oak enhances and amplifies the botanicals, with citrus notes and light oak in the finish.

Martin Miller’s Original Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99

Thirsty Camel

A small-batch English gin blended in Iceland, to take advantage of that country’s pure spring water. It has delicate floral aromas alongside juniper and a hint of citrus, which continue on the palate, with spice characters from cardamom and peppercorn.

Martin Miller’s Westbourne Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $124.99

Thirsty Camel

A higher strength gin created for the bar trade, it has an emphasis on the spicier, peppery notes of cassia and nutmeg, making it ideal for classic cocktails.

No. 3 London Dry Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

No. 3 is a London Dry gin made especially for Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchants, and is named for their address at 3 St. James’ Street, London. The gin itself is produced by De Kuyper Royal distillers in Holland, and is heady with the aroma and taste of juniper, floral notes and plenty of citric zing and a gingery spice of coriander.

Opihr

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

Federal Merchants

This gin takes its name (pronounced o-PEER) from a legendary region on the ancient Spice Route and is inspired by the exotic spices traded in ancient times, including spicy cubeb berries from Indonesia, black pepper from India and coriander from Morocco. A rich spice aroma, with a perfumed character and bursts of citrus. Cumin and cardamom provide a warm earthy background balanced with grapefruit peel. A slight sweetness on the palate with warming spice and a long finish of black pepper.

Portobello Road No. 171 Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Thirsty Camel

A selection of classic botanicals such as orris, lemon and bitter orange peels, nutmeg and cassia are blended with a base spirit distilled from English wheat to create what the gin’s creators call a salute to “London’s distillers of the past”. Solid flavours of juniper, citrus and coriander.

Portobello Road Navy Strength

57.1% ABV, 500ml RRP $86.99

Thirsty Camel

A more intense and flavourful version of the Portobello Road 171 (above) and seasoned with English sea salt for added nautical flair. A punchy, characterful gin, ideal for mixed drinks.

Portobello Road Temperance

4.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $52.99

Thirsty Camel

A lower-alcohol option from gin distillery

Portobello Road – their Temperance expression is distilled with the same nine botanicals and designed to be used like a gin or vodka but contains just 4.2% alcohol by volume.

Psychopomp Microdistillery

‘Wōden’ Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $85

Mineral

A small batch craft distilled gin in the London Dry style. This is the signature gin from Bristol microdistillery Psychopomp. Juniper forward with strong grapefruit citrus, rounded out by fennel seed on the finish.

Seagers Dry Gin

37.2% ABV, 1L RRP $47.99

Asahi NZ

Aromas of juniper and citrus at the fore, Seagers has a light, slightly sweet flavour and a hint of warming spice.

Silent Pool Dry Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Federal Merchants

This English gin is handcrafted in the Surrey Hills with 24 botanicals. It’s full-bodied and fresh with clarity and depth of flavour. A rich, juniper-driven spirit with floral layers of lavender and chamomile.

Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Federal Merchants

This gin gets its fresh and intriguing character from lesser-known citrus: bright and zesty notes from Buddha’s Hand, rich notes from Natsudaidai (Japanese summer orange) and subtle sweetness from Hirado Buntan (pomelo).

Sipsmith London Cup

29.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $76.99

Beam Suntory

In the style of a punch, Sipsmith London Cup is made from the Sipsmith London Dry Gin infused with Earl Grey tea, borage, lemon verbena and a host of other botanicals. The aroma is sweet with orange and a background of cardamom. Gentle sweetness that finishes dry with complex spice.

Sipsmith London Dry

41.6% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Beam Suntory

A classic London Dry gin with intense juniper and delicate citrus on the nose. Juniper leads on the palate with lemon and subtle spice. A lingering citrus and juniper finish.

Sipsmith Sloe Gin

29% ABV, 500ml RRP $87.99

Beam Suntory

Sipsmith freezes wild sloe berries to break the skins, then rests them in its London Dry Gin for three to four months. The resulting gin has aromas of marzipan and sweet, rich red fruit, while on the palate there is jammy red fruit and more marzipan character.

Sipsmith V.J.O.P.

57.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $120.99

Beam Suntory

V.J.O.P. stands for ‘Very Junipery Over Proof’ and juniper certainly takes the lead role in this higher strength gin, with three times the juniper used in Sipsmith’s London Dry. Intense juniper aroma and flavour with an undertone of rich spice.

Tanqueray

47.3% ABV, 1L RRP $64.99

Lion

Widely regarded as the quintessential London Dry Gin, Tanqueray is beloved by bartenders the world over. It has aromas of juniper with a subtle citrus character. Clean and dry on the palate with intense juniper and liquorice that lingers on the finish. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Tanqueray No. Ten

47% ABV, 1L RRP $109.99

Lion

An elegant gin that uses whole fresh citrus fruit during distillation. Aromas of sweet, fresh grapefruit lead to a soft, viscous, rounded mouthfeel. An elegant finish with distinct chamomile.

Warner’s Apple & Pear Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99

Giesen Group

A gin full of classic botanicals as well as apple and pear juice, calling to mind late harvest evenings. Aromas of pear and fresh elderflower, with black pepper and macadamia. The palate is rich with cardamom spice, lychee and juniper leading to a finish of fresh, sweet orchard fruits.

Warner’s Elderflower Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Giesen Group

A delicate expression of Warner Edwards’ rural farm distillery in the UK, this gin is infused with fresh elderflowers. These are handpicked on the property and go from field to bottle in just a few hours. A balanced gin that is smooth, sweet and delicately fragrant with summer elderflower.

Warner’s Harrington Dry Gin

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Giesen Group

This was the first release from artisanal producer Warner Edwards. Its strong notes of cardamom and nutmeg give an intense warmth to the well-rounded and complex palate.

Warner’s Honeybee Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Giesen Group

Honeybee Gin features 28 natural botanicals and is infused with honey sourced locally and from Warner Edwards’ own hives at their UK farm distillery. The gin is floral and zesty with a lingering, gently sweet finish.

Warner’s Lemon Balm Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99

Giesen Group

A fresh, herbaceous, and zesty dry gin that uses key botanicals freshly harvested from Warner’s own farm surrounds, where they grow lemon balm, lemon verbena and lemon thyme.

Warner’s London Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Giesen Group

A soft, sweet, floral nose, with elderflower, spicy cardamom and gentle lemon. Juniper is upfront on the palate, leading to orange notes and a finish of sweet mint.

Warner’s Raspberry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99

Giesen Group

A gin inspired by the farm hedgerows around Warner’s historic farm in Northamptonshire. Each bottle contains one-third fresh raspberries, blackberries and hand-picked hedgerow elderflowers. Jammy and vibrant with initial juniper and coriander that gives way to the sweet flavours of the hedgerow fruits.

Warner’s Rhubarb Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99

Giesen Group

This gin can claim royal connections as it’s made using a crop of rhubarb grown originally in the kitchen garden of Buckingham Palace during Queen Victoria’s reign. The rhubarb juice is extracted using a traditional fruit press and blended with Warner’s Harrington Dry Gin to create a blush pink expression that is sweet and tangy.

Warner’s Sloe Gin

30% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99

Giesen Group

Sloe berries are handpicked from hedgerows on Warner Edwards’ UK farm distillery site and steeped in Harrington Dry Gin to create this intensely fruity gin. Not overly sweet, it has notes of cherry and almond.

Whitley Neill Pink Grapefruit Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

This intensely pink gin is inspired by the citrus groves of Spain and infused with Iberian pink grapefruit. Delicate sweetness on the palate with citrusy notes that give way to a balanced grapefruit burst.

Whitley Neill Quince Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

This gin has an aroma of fresh stone fruits, gently followed by hints of juniper and citrus zest. The distinctive flavour of quince dominates the palate, giving way to the sweetness of apricots and peaches, with a long, fruity finish that opens out into orange blossom and zesty grapefruit.

Whitley Neill Rhubarb and Ginger Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

The essence of rhubarb adds a tart crisp edge to classic Whitley Neill gin, while ginger extract warms the palate for a full-bodied finish.

Widges

41.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

Proof & Company

A gin developed by spirits industry figure Jason “Widge” Williams of Proof & Company to be a gin for craft bartenders, with its slightly higher ABV and bright botanicals. A classically juniper-forward gin with an orange and cardamom character.

SCOTLAND

The Botanist

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99

Hancocks

The botanical heritage of Islay, the southernmost island of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, is the focus of this gin, in which 22 local botanicals (including tansy, hawthorn and bog myrtle) are added to nine classic gin aromatics. The gin is rich, intense and full-bodied yet smooth, with complex floral aromas.

Cadenhead’s Old Raj Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

Cadenhead’s Old Raj Gin is distinctive in that it contains a measure of saffron. In addition to a slightly spicy flavour, this also imparts a pale yellow colour. Rich and clean, with a lovely oily mouthfeel, this gin has flavours of zesty lemon, Indian spices and a hint of aniseed.

Cadenhead’s Old Raj Gin

55% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

This is a higher strength expression of the Cadenhead’s Old Raj Gin above, designed for mixed drinks and classic cocktails, such as a martini.

Caorunn Gin

41.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Hancocks

Pronounced ‘Ka-roon’ this gin has a fresh aroma with floral and citrus character and a hint of spice. Clean, crisp, sweet and fullbodied on the palate, with a crisp and slightly drying finish. Recommended serve is with a slice of red apple.

Darnley’s Original Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99

Glengarry

There’s a fresh, slightly sweet aroma to this gin with a lifted floral note from elderflower and an underlying thread of resinous juniper. It’s rounded and smooth on the palate, full of bright, zesty citrus.

Dunnet Bay Rock Rose Dry

41.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Giesen Group

A flavourful and fresh gin with zest and berry characters. Local botanicals such as rowan and hawthorn berries, sea buckthorn and rhodiola rosea (the rock rose) are hand-foraged from the cliffs and forests of Caithness in northern Scotland.

Dunnet Bay Rock Rose Navy Strength Gin

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $104.99

Giesen Group

The higher ABV version of Rock Rose has a strong, warm pine release at the front with notes of lemon sherbet. The middle palate has bold berries that give way to the deeper earthier notes of angelica and orris.

Dunnet Bay Rock Rose Summer

41.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Giesen Group

Distilled using ingredients from the Dunnet Bay Distillery gardens and rockery to create a seasonal expression of Rock Rose Gin. A citrus-forward gin using lemon balm, clover, lemon thyme, pineapple sage, meadowsweet and elderflower.

“Aviation is the best gin on the planet.”

– Ryan Reynolds, Owner & Planetary Expert

Edinburgh Gin Cannonball London Dry

57.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

EuroVintage

The higher alcohol content in this Navy Strength gin allows for almost double the juniper and citrus of any other expression in the Edinburgh Gin range. Cannonball balances juniper, yuzu and Szechuan pepper, while its punchy strength and full character make it a great choice for cocktails.

Edinburgh Gin Classic London Dry

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $67.99

EuroVintage

A balance of 14 botanicals creates a woody hint of pine buds, aromatic lemongrass and floral lavender with jammy flavour from black mulberries and a citrus character from orange and lime peels in the finish. Hazelnuts, thick with natural oils, add texture and a smooth mouthfeel. Refreshing and crisp.

Edinburgh Gin Raspberry

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $67.99

EuroVintage

This gin combines Perthshire raspberries with Edinburgh Classic Gin to make a sweet gin liqueur with a depth of flavour reminiscent of raspberry jam. Definitive red berry aromas balance sweet ripeness on the nose. Syrupy and intensely flavoured, bursting with red berry fruit on the palate.

Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $67.99

EuroVintage

Edinburgh Classic London Dry is at the base of this gin. Lemongrass and sweet mulberry are joined by natural rhubarb and ginger. The resulting gin is bright with a little heat, an abundance of fruit, crisp, piney notes and a full finish.

Edinburgh Gin Seaside London Dry

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $67.99

EuroVintage

A softly sweet, mineralistic London Dry gin that uses botanicals foraged from beaches around Edinburgh, such as bladderwrack seaweed, scurvygrass and ground ivy. Bladderwrack is high in residual sugar and adds a sweetness and the scent of sea air. Scurvy grass carries a slight spice and salinity while ground ivy adds fresh, summery grass notes to the finish.

Hendrick’s

41.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Federal Merchants

The use of cucumber and rose petal infusions give Hendrick’s its distinctively delicate quality, which has become much loved by aficionados the world over. Its aroma has a hint of floral alongside the juniper, while on the palate there is freshness from the cucumber and exotic Turkish Delight from the rose. Complex, smooth and refreshing.

Hendrick’s Lunar

43.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99

Federal Merchants

A deeply floral and richly aromatic gin, created by Hendrick’s Master Distiller Lesley Gracie. It was inspired by her love of tending to her botanicals under moonlight.

Hendrick’s Neptunia

43.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99

Federal Merchants

The first ‘maritime’ release from Hendrick’s, with fresh sea notes of native coastal flora enhancing the signature combination of cucumber and rose, leading to a smooth citrus finish.

Holyrood Height of Arrows

Elevated Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $86.99

Glengarry

For this gin, Holyrood’s distillers were inspired by whisky’s diverse nature, despite it using just malted barley, water and yeast. For Height of Arrows they have focused on juniper, enhancing it with Isle of Skye sea salt and natural beeswax. The gin is a balanced presentation of clean, fresh pine resin coupled with light citrus zest on the nose. Long and smooth on the palate; a dry finish with effervescent spicy notes.

Holyrood Height of Arrows Heavy Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $93.99

Glengarry

The recipe for this Old Tom-style gin uses roasted juniper, creating a big and robust flavour. A small addition of sugar after distillation brings balance, and a subtle sweetness. Dark pine and orange peel on the nose with a slight floral presence and a woody herbaceous note. On the palate, it is sweet and creamy with a distinct floral sweetness. The texture is syrupy and rich, coating the mouth.

Isle of Harris

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

This gin embodies the elemental nature of its island home in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Its maritime character derives from the local, hand-gathered sugar kelp seaweed that is its defining botanical. The kelp combines with eight other botanicals to create a smooth and complex gin.

Isle of Raasay Hebridean Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

Malted barley spirit is three times distilled in a pot still for this gin, which uses juniper harvested on the remote Hebridean island itself and is complemented by botanicals such as rhubarb root, cubeb, angelica root, and sweet orange peel.

Hendrick’s Lunar is a deeply floral and richly aromatic gin, created by Hendrick’s Master Distiller Lesley Gracie.

Lind & Lime

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Giesen Group

Just seven botanicals go into this beautifully presented Scottish gin. Juniper provides the backbone, complemented by crisp and citrusy lime, and underpinned by earthy flavours of pink peppercorns. Complex, dry and refreshing.

Pickering’s Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99

EuroVintage

Based on an original Bombay recipe, Pickering’s has strong aromas of juniper and citrus with underlying notes of spice. Fresh and clean on the palate, the juniper and citrus character give way to warming cardamom, coriander seed and clove.

Pickering’s Gin 1947

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99

EuroVintage

This expression of Pickering’s is made precisely to the original recipe, as it was said to be written in Bombay in 1947. It is spicier, sweeter and more intense than the original with a crisp, refreshing and lingering finish.

Red Door Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

Produced by the family-owned Benromach distillery on the fringes of the Speyside region, Red Door gin is distilled in ‘Peggy’, the distillery’s hand-made copper pot gin still and the local Scottish botanicals used include rowanberry and sea buckthorn. It has a zingy citric flavour joined by floral notes (heather) and an edge of earthiness when served neat.

Tobermory Hebridean Gin

43.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

EuroVintage

A splash of spirit from the Tobermory whisky stills adds a unique character to this gin, which is distilled on the Isle of Mull with botanicals including tea, heather, elderflower and sweet orange peel. Fresh juniper is balanced with sweet orange and lemon, hints of coriander, and gentle herbs and spices. A luxurious, creamy mouthfeel and a subtle hint of sweet malt.

IRELAND

Dingle Gin

42.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore

A vapour-infused gin made in Ireland’s south west. It’s distilled in a hand-beaten copper pot still using nine locally grown botanicals such as rowan berry, bog myrtle and heather alongside the classic juniper and angelica.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

This gin takes its name from two key botanicals used in its creation: Drumshanbo (Meadowsweet) and Chinese Gunpowder tea, which is a green tea that has been slowly dried and carefully rolled into shiny pellets. The flavour is bold and bright with a slight spicy freshness.

Drumshanbo Sardinian Citrus

Gunpowder Irish Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

This gin is distilled with more than 12 oriental botanicals, gunpowder tea, and a hint of Sardinian citrus – one of the rarest citrus fruits in the world, found only on the island of Sardinia. The gin has a fragrant, almost exotic aroma, with flavours of orange and grapefruit.

Graham Norton’s Own Irish Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $66.99

EuroVintage

This gin from UK talk show host Graham Norton, in collaboration with New Zealand company Invivo, is small batch distilled in West Cork. It has aromas of kaffir lime and juniper that continue on the palate, with citrus notes and a crisp finish. Classic gin botanicals are accompanied by gooseberry, elderflower, rose hips and fuchsia flowers.

Graham Norton’s Own Marmalade Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $66.99

EuroVintage

This gin was developed in collaboration with a marmalade producer and gin producer in Graham Norton’s hometown of Cork. The intense Seville Orange notes give this gin a refreshing marmalade twist.

Graham Norton’s Own Pink Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $66.99

EuroVintage

Made with Irish grain, this pink gin draws its flavour from a combination of 12 botanicals including rose petals, kaffir lime and rose hip. The gin is made in West Cork, and locally foraged fuchsia flowers add a delicate aroma, while an infusion of roses and cranberry give its blush pink colour.

Method & Madness Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99

Pernod Ricard

The 16 botanicals in this Irish gin are led by Black Lemon (dried limes) and Irish gorse flower. There is deep, dense citrus on the nose alongside juniper, a hint of sweetness and a floral lift. The palate is light, oily and mouthfilling, with flavours of ripe citrus. Lasting notes of juniper and subtle spice.

FRANCE

Citadelle Original

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $75.99

Proof & Company

An artisanal French gin using 19 botanicals; among them violet, iris and blackcurrant. An elegant gin that is soft and smooth. Subtle aromas of juniper and citrus continue on the palate alongside notes of pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon. The distinctive bottle was inspired by 18th century France.

Chateau Léoube Mediterranean Gin

41.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99

Glengarry

This gin uses the olive pomace (residue) that remains after the extraction of olive oil and wine alcohol produced by distilling grape marc to create a distinctive Mediterranean character. Bitter almond, sweet orange, fennel, rosemary, and mandarin all add to its complex notes.

Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Tickety-Boo

The distinctively earthy aroma of saffron sits alongside piney juniper in this vibrant gold gin. It has a rich spiced flavour with an underlying earthiness, complex spice and a hint of sweetness.

G’Vine Floraison

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99

Thirsty Camel

Made with grape spirit at a 16th-century family estate in the heart of Cognac country, G’Vine Floraison’s signature botanical is the flower of the grapevine, which exists for just a few days in spring before maturing into a grape berry. These flowers are handpicked, macerated in the grape spirit and then distilled before being blended with nine botanicals. Its floral aroma has an almost vanilla sweetness. The flavour is rounded and smooth, leading to a warming finish of liquorice, ginger and nutmeg.

G’Vine Nouaison

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $105.99

Thirsty Camel

Created as a richer, intensely aromatic alternative to dry gins, G’Vine Nouaison uses a range of fruit, aromatic and spice botanicals with its grape distillate.

BELGIUM

De Moor Flemish Gin 23 (FG23)

49.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $135

Exceptional Flavours

There are 23 botanicals used in the smallbatch (200 litres) copper pot still distillation that creates this Flemish gin. Considering the high ABV, it has a clean and surprisingly soft mouthfeel, pronounced juniper with liquorice and good supporting angelica and coriander. Harmonious and well-balanced.

De Moor Heart of Flemish Gin 23

49.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $350

Exceptional Flavours

This exclusive 36-bottle batch of De Moor Heart of Flemish Gin 23 distillate is clean and punchy at nearly 50% ABV. Flavours of juniper and zesty citrus are very evident, in harmony with coriander, peppery spices and floral lavender.

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Barrel Aged

43.7% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99

Exceptional Flavours

Cognac barrels made of oak from the French Limousin were selected for this barrel aged gin, which is matured for four months. A dry, robust and aromatic gin with subtle notes of oak and dried herbs. A touch of vanilla, florals and liquorice too.

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Classic

46% ABV, 500ml RRP $69.99

Exceptional Flavours

A spicy gin with a dry character. Spicy notes of juniper, complemented by refreshing citrus aromas. A strong and aromatic gin. The ‘28’ in the name refers to the 28 different spice and fresh fruit distillates used in its creation.

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Pink

37.5% ABV, 500ml RRP $74.99

Exceptional Flavours

Fresh raspberries and goji berries enhance the original Filliers Dry Gin to create this pink expression. A spicy gin with a touch of raspberry sweetness balanced by citrus.

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Tangerine

43.7% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99

Exceptional Flavours

This fresh citrus gin is made from a distillate based on sun-ripened tangerines from Valencia, that is distilled up to five times. A full, refreshing gin that highlights the different citrus nuances of mandarins.

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Tribute “FilliersBachte”

48% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99

Exceptional Flavours

An homage to the Filliers family, the original recipe for this gin dates back to 1828, when third generation Firmin Filliers ran the company and developed the recipe. An aromatic and complex gin; notes of malt alternate with hints of angelica and lavender.

Filliers “Young & Pure” 0YO Genever

35% ABV, 700ml RRP $73.99

Exceptional Flavours

This genever has never been put in barrel (hence ‘Young & Pure), which emphasises its refreshing characteristics. A refreshing and balanced taste of juniper berries with a subtle note of grain.

Lindemans Clear Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $104.99

Exceptional Flavours

Sixteen different botanicals are combined with a distillate of Old Kriek Cuvée René and fresh cherry juice to create this gin. Initial flavours of fresh citrus lead to warm cardamom and then cherry, which lingers on the finish.

GERMANY

Elephant Dry Gin

45% ABV, 500ml RRP $89.99

Federal Merchants

Subtle juniper aroma with herbaceous notes. A complex but smooth palate of floral, fruit and spice flavours.

Monkey 47

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $94.99

Pernod Ricard

An array of 47 botanicals go into this gin, which has its origins in southern Germany’s Black Forest region. Aromas of freshly crushed forest floor herbs sit alongside the juniper. On the palate there are herbaceous flavours with rounded warmth from the spices.

Monkey 47 Sloe Gin

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $94.99

Pernod Ricard

The sloe gin expression from Monkey 47 uses wild-growing, hand-picked sloe berries from Germany’s Black Forest. These are macerated in Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin and left to rest for four weeks, creating a richly flavoured sloe gin.

ITALY

Acqueverdi Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $102.99

Thirsty Camel

Made in the mountains in Italy’s northwest, Acqueverdi uses mountain botanicals such as gentian, elderflower, alpine rose, pine buds and fir needles. Intensely aromatic, dry and full on the palate.

Engine Gin

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $74.99

Thirsty Camel

The distinctive motor racing-inspired can contains a gin made in north-western Italy using bitter sage, sweet liquorice and damask rose.

Ginarte

43.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $102.99

Thirsty Camel

Inspired by art, this gin is made with plants used by Renaissance artists to create coloured pigments for their painting, such as Calamint, safflower, mignonette, rubia and indigo. Other botanicals include angelica, lavender, hibiscus, elder flowers, pine buds, mountain pine and pine needles to produce a clean and complex gin.

Ginato Clementino

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99

Hancocks

A fresh gin that combines Tuscan juniper berries with juicy clementine oranges from the south of Italy and Pinot Grigio grapes from Friuli in the north.

Ginato Melograno

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99

Hancocks

Infused with Italian pomegranate and combined with Italian Pinot Grigio grapes and Tuscan juniper, this gin opens with a sweet floral aroma that flows into rich pomegranate and a delicately sweet finish.

Ginato Pinot Grigio

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99

Hancocks

A refreshing gin distilled with Italian-grown Pinot Grigio grapes, Tuscan juniper berries and blended with Sicilian lemons. A floral aroma and zesty citrus notes.

Ginato Pompelmo

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99

Hancocks

A bittersweet gin, rich with pink grapefruit. Aromas and notes of crisp, fresh grapefruit balanced with intense juniper from Tuscany.

Malfy Con Amarena

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99

Pernod Ricard

Fruity and fresh, this gin has bittersweet Amarena cherry flavour complemented by black cherry with notes of juniper and lemon, balancing sweet and sour.

Malfy Con Arancia

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99

Pernod Ricard

Sicilian blood orange peel in the distillation of this gin helps to create its deep ruby red colour. Aromas of orange blossom with a background of juniper; flavours of rich, bittersweet citrus with a long finish.

Malfy Con Limone

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99

Pernod Ricard

A citrus-forward gin that uses the peels of Italian coastal-grown lemons in its distillation. Aromas of citrus and juniper with flavours of anise, citrus and coriander.

Malfy Originale

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99

Pernod Ricard

Aromas of juniper, coriander and anise lead to a crisp, dry palate with complex flavours of juniper, liquorice and a hint of citrus.

Malfy Rosa

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99

Pernod Ricard

A pale pink gin with bright, fresh aromas of citrus, rhubarb and spicy anise. Sicilian pink grapefruit and Italian rhubarb provide a rich citrus flavour, with a tart note and a long citrus finish.

SPAIN

L’Arbre Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99

Thirsty Camel

This fresh, herbaceous gin is made with botanicals such as thyme, basil, lavender and rosemary sourced from the Penedès area in Spain’s Catalonia. The gin is produced in Tarragone in northeast Spain.

Gin Mare

42.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Hancocks

Spanish citrus and herbs are at the heart of this gin, which uses Arbequina olives, thyme, basil and rosemary. It has rich aromas of citrus, fennel and juniper, with a soft, rounded juniper-led flavour and a finish of intense botanicals and spice.

Gin Mare Capri

42.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99

Hancocks

This gin was released to mark Gin Mare’s 10th anniversary and was inspired by the perfumes of the famed Italian island of Capri. The citrus aromas of bergamot and delicate rosemary are at the fore, alongside basil, fresh orange, lemon, olive arbequina and thyme.

Larios 12

40% ABV, 1L RRP $54.99

Beam Suntory

A citrus-dominant blend of 12 botanicals, among them orange, mandarin, tangerine, lemon, lime, orange blossom, grapefruit and clementine. A delicate citrus aroma with subtle juniper notes leads to a palate of intense citrus and juniper with slightly spiced character from the nutmeg and coriander.

Larios Citrus

37.5% ABV, 1L RRP $54.99

Beam Suntory

The addition of Mediterranean oranges gives this gin an intensely fruity aroma and flavour. Vibrant citrus on the palate with balanced sweetness.

Larios Dry Original

37.5% ABV, 1L RRP $54.99

Beam Suntory

A blend of classic gin botanicals. Clean and dry on the palate with a balance of juniper and citrus, and a lingering citrus finish.

Larios Rosé

37.5% ABV, 1L RRP $54.99

Beam Suntory

An intensely sweet strawberry aroma leads to a palate of fruit sweetness and subtle citrus with a lingering sweet finish.

Le Tribute Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99

Tickety-Boo

A fresh and fruity gin with intense citrus, thanks to an array of orange, lemon grapefruit, kumquat tangerine and lime in the botanical mix. An underlying touch of lemongrass and juniper.

New Malfy Con Amarena has bittersweet Amarena cherry flavour complemented by black cherry with notes of juniper and lemon.

USA

Aviation American Gin

42% 700ml RRP $81.99

Lion

Aviation is a complex gin that uses cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, and two kinds of orange peel in its botanical line-up.

Bowling & Burch Gin

47% ABV, 750ml RRP $123

Hi I.Q. Liquor

Distilled in Kentucky by 7th Generation Master Distiller Stephen Bowling Beam, Bowling & Burch is a high-quality, small-batch gin. Blended with 17 botanicals, six of which are homegrown on the distillery property, the gin is fragrant with herbal notes of rosemary, thyme and citrus, tart orange, honeysuckle, lemon verbena, and coriander on the front, zippy with spice.

Brooklyn Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $129.99

Thirsty Camel

A fresh, complex and flavourful gin made in New York, Brooklyn uses a base spirit produced entirely from corn and showcases intense citrus in its flavour profile. Bonus: the unique bottle cap design can be used as an ice stamp too.

Gray Whale

43% 750ml RRP $79.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

A Californian gin inspired by the gray whale, which can be seen on its migratory journey along the California coast. Botanicals for this gin are foraged along that path: from Baja California limes to sea kelp in Mendocino. A portion of Gray Whale’s profits support Oceana, the largest organisation in the world devoted solely to marine conservation.

St George Botanivore

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $96.99

Proof & Company

A vibrant gin with floral, herbaceous and citrus characters thanks to an array of botanicals, including bergamot peel, Seville orange peel, Citra hops and fennel seed.

St George Dry Rye

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $96.99

Proof & Company

This gin gives a subtle nod to gin’s genever roots – it balances the peppery punch of its focused botanical profile with a malty, velvety texture.

St George Terroir Gin

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $104.99

Proof & Company

A lush and aromatic gin inspired by San Francisco’s wild surrounds and using local Douglas fir and California bay laurel. Notes of sage and with a hint of citrus alongside classic gin botanicals.

CANADA

Empress 1908

42.5% 700ml RRP $79.99

The Premium Liquor Co.

Made using butterfly pea blossoms, this indigo coloured gin transforms into vivid violet when tonic or citrus is added. Its juniper aroma is underpinned by a savoury warmth from the butterfly pea, cinnamon and ginger. The palate is juniper-forward with fresh grapefruit balanced by delicate rose.

MEXICO

Gracias a Dios 32 Botanical Agave Gin

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $109.99

Tickety-Boo

The classic agave spirit is infused with 32 botanicals, representing the 32 states of the Mexican Republic. It has citrus notes, a predominance of juniper and a smoky finish.

Gracias a Dios Oaxaca Agave Gin

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $94.99

Tickety-Boo

This gin from Mexico’s renowned Gracias a Dios mezcal distillery uses their classic agave spirit as the base, which is then triple distilled with juniper and eight botanicals from the Oaxaca region, including avocado leaf, yerba santa, cacao and Oaxaca tangerine.

Gracias a Dios Old Tom Agave Gin

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $99.99

Tickety-Boo

This is a recipe inspired by Old Tom Gin, but with an Oaxaca twist. It uses a Gracias a Dios agave spirit as a base, macerated and distilled with eight botanicals. The spirit is aged in oak barrels for three months and a small addition of agave espadín juice gives it a sweet touch. It is sweet, citric and smoky, with aromas of juniper, spice and cooked agave.

VENEZUELA

Canaïma Gin

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA

Whisky Galore

This distinctive gin is intense, fruity and floral. It has aromas of passionfruit, grapefruit and a hint of black pepper that combine with the lush, damp greenery of the Amazonian rainforest. Complex, balanced palate with herbaceous citrus flavours and tropical notes.

For distributor details see the Distributor Index on page 110.

Tanduay arrives in New Zealand

A legacy of heritage, tradition, superior ingredients and master blending are behind the Philippines’ iconic Tanduay Rum, now available in New Zealand…

TANDUAY (PRONOUNCED ‘Tan-DWY’) traces its origins back to 1854, when it began as a distillery in the coastal town of Hagonoy, in the province of Bulacan, Philippines.

It won its first award for its Tanduay Rhum in 1876, and more than a century later it was hailed as “the best-selling brand in the rum category” and named “World’s #1 Rum” (2017-2021) by Drinks International.

Today, Tanduay has three distilleries across the Philippines and along with its own Tanduay Brands, Tanduay Distillers has majority holdings in Asian Alcohol (95%) and Absolut Distillers (96%).

It exports its spirits to the USA, Europe and Asia and its first shipment of Tanduay Rum has now arrived in New Zealand and is available exclusively through distributor Mineral.

The Tanduay craft

Tanduay’s world-renowned rums are made using heirloom sugarcane grown by local farmers and processed in Tanduay’s own sugar mill.

The sugarcane is planted during the rainy season and harvested 10-12 months later. Once the canes have been cleaned, stripped of their leaves and cut, they are then refined to create sugar and its by-product molasses – the key ingredient for rum.

Unlike other rum brands, Tanduay only uses ‘first syrup molasses’, commonly

known as ‘A molasses’. Extracted from the initial boil, the first press contains a higher sugar content and is valued for its unique taste and superior quality.

The first syrup molasses is then fermented for 12 hours, slowly transforming the sugar into alcohol, creating a ferment prime for distillation.

Tanduay’s skilled blenders then take over the care of this high-quality spirit, transferring it into Kentucky bourbon oak barrels. The high humidity of the Philippines’ natural environment and the elevation of Tanduay’s distilleries helps to create the unique qualities of Tanduay rum over time.

Single barrel ageing and the Solera method are used to further enhance and sustain distinctive flavours in the rum.

Tanduay Rums in New Zealand

Tanduay Silver Asian Rum

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

This silky smooth Silver rum, from Tanduay’s own heritage Asian sugarcane, is only moderately filtered giving it a light straw appearance. With its pure and distinctive taste, Tanduay Asian Rum is for those seeking greater complexity and sophistication. Aged up to five years in ex-bourbon barrels, with a taste profile of green ripe fruits with hints of burnt sugar, mandarin and vanilla. Perfect for sipping straight yet well balanced for mixing.

Tanduay’s Master Blender is the guardian of Tanduay’s formulas and the aged rum is constantly checked to ensure consistency and quality. Perfection is the bare minimum for the Tanduay team, and it is this dedication to the craft that separates regular rum from Tanduay’s world-class lines of rum.

Each bottle of Tanduay rum is part of a lineage built on tradition, perfection, and consistency.

Tanduay Rums are distributed in New Zealand by Mineral.

Contact via email on orders@mineralwine.co.nz

tanduay.com

@tanduayrum

Tanduay Gold Asian Rum

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

A silky-smooth gold rum made using Tanduay’s own heritage sugarcane and aged up to seven years in ex-bourbon barrels. On the palate there is mature honey with hints of toasted oak, almond and vanilla. A pure and distinctive taste for those seeking greater complexity and sophistication.

Tanduay Especia Spiced Rum

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99

Made from heirloom sugar canes, Tanduay’s Gold rum is a blend of rums aged up to seven years in ex-bourbon barrels. A smooth, elegant, spiced rum with flavours of honey, cinnamon and ginger, mingled with hints of tropical fruits.

Sarah Miller UK-based spirits writer, judge and consultant ginadingding.com

Riding the gin wave

TEN YEARS ago, people were predicting that gin would be the next big thing, but I could never have envisaged how much it would change my life. Gin was a temptation and a distraction that has somehow – remarkably – become my main occupation, with my journey from enthusiast to expert taking place alongside, and because of, the spirit’s rise.

When I was growing up (and until very recently) there was always a bottle of Gordon’s in my parents’ drinks cabinet, but I’ll never forget my big brother introducing us to Bombay Sapphire’s iconic blue bottle in the 1990s. It was a design that marked a turning point for gin’s fortunes, even though a handful of historic brands continued to dominate the market.

It wasn’t until 2014 that my palate was properly piqued by a visit to the UK’s first “small-batch” distillery at the epicentre of the gin boom: Sipsmith. Back then, I was a slightly bored stay-at-home mum, knowingly leaning into the “mother’s ruin” cliché by showing an uncanny knack for winning gin competitions on Twitter, making the most of brands’ efforts to get themselves heard and everyone else talking about them.

I found myself getting into the spirit at the same time that now well-established brands were finding their footing and I launched my blog, Gin A Ding Ding, in 2016 as gin sales smashed the £1billion barrier for the first time. As gin was

declared the UK’s most popular spirit in 2017, I was excited (and anxious) to find myself judging what turned out to be the first of many spirits competitions (at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery no less!).

But ten years is a long time in any industry, and the last few have not been kind to this one. “2018 was the party,” says Tom Warner, who founded Warner’s Distillery in 2012. Despite sales hitting an all-time high in 2019, just 10 years after Sipsmith started production, the tide was already beginning to turn.

gin producer, and headlines confirming gin’s long-term decline in the UK make worrying reading.

However, there are bright spots on the horizon. Several of the bigger gin distilleries that hit trouble have found either a buyer or investment and British gin exports have been showing signs of recovery.

Gin lovers, meanwhile, have never had it so good. The quality and variety of British gin is unrivalled, while global interest is spurring domestic production across Asia and beyond to central and southern America, where the influence of national spirits such as baijiu and cachaça and the use of native botanicals is resulting in even more exciting and unusual flavour profiles and products.

It started with big brands pushing distribution amid a flood of flavoured gins, but then came Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, followed swiftly by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK’s cost-of-living crisis and then, to cap it off, in August 2023 the single biggest alcohol duty increase in almost 50 years. With some consumer fatigue inevitable and costs continuing to rise across the board, it’s a challenging time to be a

Fifteen years ago, when Sipsmith lobbied to change the law (previously, stills with a capacity of less than 1,800 litres were banned in the UK) they changed the distilling landscape irrevocably, and those ripples are still being felt around the world.

The explosion of gins globally means increasingly high standards for entry alongside demands for more innovative, original and sustainably produced spirits, making the category one to watch and relish. And one thing’s for sure: we’ll never return to a market dominated by just a handful of historic distilleries again. There’s no getting the gin genie back in that bottle.

In her first column for Drinksbiz, Sarah Miller reflects on how gin has changed her life and what’s next for the juggernaut spirit…

With some consumer fatigue inevitable and costs continuing to rise, it’s a challenging time to be a gin producer.

Quick Brown Fox launches new Espresso Martini

Trophy for NZ’s Vicar’s Son at Australian Gin Awards 2023

NEW ZEALAND boutique gin distiller The Vicar’s Son has won the Trophy for Best Contemporary Gin at the Australian Gin Awards 2023.

It is the first time a New Zealand distillery has won a Trophy in this competition, which is run by the Australian Gin Distillers Association and is in its sixth year.

INTERNATIONALLY AWARD-WINNING

coffee liqueur company Quick Brown Fox has launched a Double Shot Espresso Martini in 750ml, 5L bag and 30L keg format.

The Kiwi company, headquartered in Dunedin, says that its goal was to create the classic cocktail to be bar quality, so that it could speed up service and make it simpler for hospitality staff to serve espresso martinis quickly and easily from the 5L bag and 30L keg formats.

“In developing the recipe I needed to pull back the sweetness, and by doing that it allowed the coffee to be the shining light, as it should be,” says Arjun Haszard, founder and managing director of Quick Brown Fox.

“To me, a ready-to-pour product has to be something that bartenders are proud to serve and our Double Shot Espresso Martini is exactly that, down to the crucial thick crema on top – it’s the quintessential element of a great espresso martini.”

The 750ml bottled version of Quick Brown Fox Double Shot Espresso Martini is also ideal for cocktail lovers at home who want to offer an exceptional espresso martini to guests when entertaining.

Quick Brown Fox Double Shot Espresso Martini is available in 750ml, 5L bag and 30L keg formats.

Order now through Hancocks.

The award went to The Vicar’s Son ‘Good Place’ Gin, which beat around 200 other entries in the Contemporary Class – the largest class in the competition.

The winning gin was created by Lucie Hrdina and distilled by her partner, Stewart Martel. The pair co-founded the distillery three years ago, which is still located in their garage in Point Chevalier, Auckland.

Vicar’s Son is believed to be the smallest grain to glass distillery in the world. Each batch is made from scratch from barley and then distilled to a maximum of nine bottles. The couple says their goal is to be considered by their customers to be one of the best distilleries in New Zealand.

“Australian gins are considered to be amongst the world’s best,” said Stewart Martel, “so to be acknowledged in Australia with this Trophy is a dream come true.”

Their winning ‘Good Place’ gin features cocoa and mandarin. It scored a total of 48 out of a maximum 50 points. The judges noted: “Bold and well balanced juniper. This gin presents a great mix of botanicals in a contemporary fashion.”

The Vicar’s Son gins are available direct through the distillery.

vicarsson.co.nz

Dunedin’s No8 wins Absinthe of the Year at USA Spirits Ratings

AN ABSINTHE made in Dunedin to a French family recipe has taken the world title at the USA Spirits Ratings 2023.

The No8 Absinthe from Dunedin’s No8 Distillery was named Absinthe of the Year. It scored 96 points out of a possible 100, while the distillery’s Horopito Gin scored 90 to win Gold, and its Moka Gin scored 86 for a Silver medal.

One of the guiding principles of the USA Spirits Ratings competition is that awarded spirits should be those that

SHOWCASE Citrus for summer from Last Minute

consumers want to buy, whether at retail, or on-premise Its 100-point rating system therefore also takes into account quality, value and packaging, rather than just spirit making technique or overall taste.

The judging panel included spirits industry professionals with commercial buying expertise as well as professionals from leading retail chains, wholesalers, distributors, specialty retailers and casual and fine dining establishments.

No8 Distillery founder and owner, Julien Delavoie, says that the recipe for his absinthe is from a 1926 family recipe from his homeland in France and uses fresh artemisia (wormwood).

“ We’re really excited that our No8 Spirits, especially our French family absinthe, scored so highly,” says Delavoie. “ We really put a lot of emphasis on creating a spirit with broad consumer appeal, and one that spirit drinkers would enjoy for a variety of different occasions. This award is really a validation of our spirit-making expertise.”

No8 Distillery

New from KJ & Co and Funk Estate

Funk n’ Ade Alcoholic Lemonade from Funk Estate

A new addition to the multi-awardwinning Last Minute Gin range, Last Minute Citrus Gin from KJ & Co. Distillery is timed perfectly for its summer release.

Our Last Minute Citrus Gin brings you a taste of summer with every sip and is the ideal gin for hot summer days and those long hot summer nights. Crisp kaffir lime and succulent mandarin merge seamlessly with grapefruit peel, passionfruit and lime –leading into a refreshingly dry juniper finish.

Perfect with soda over ice and a wedge of orange, or pair with your favourite mixer.

Last Minute Citrus Gin (timed to perfection) – available from October 2023.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99

Check out the new super-refreshing Funk n’ Ade Alcoholic Lemonade, made by the boffins at Funk Estate. This is like an “ole fashioned lemonade” – but with a difference.

Crisp, with a lovely dry finish, Funk n’ Ade is a refreshingly different option for those who don’t want to drink beer around the BBQ, or at the picnic or party.

Funk n Ade Alcoholic Lemonade – “Put Some Funk in Your Day”. Available from October 2023.

5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $19.99

Order from Brandhouse orders@brandhouse.co.nz

0508 468 688

TRY THE NEW DOUBLE SHOT

ESPRESSO MARTINI

FROM QUICK BROWN FOX

RICH & COFFEE - FORWARD, WITH A FULL-BODIED FOAM WHEN SHAKEN

International award for Scapegrace Single Malt Whisky

SCAPEGRACE DISTILLING Co. has been awarded a Master Medal for its Single Malt Fortitude V Whisky at the 2023 Global Spirit World Whisky Masters.

The Master Medal is the highest honour in the competition, which was held in London. Chaired by The Spirits Business with a panel of leading spirits specialists, the Global Spirits Masters are the world’s most highly regarded series of spirits blind-tasting competitions.

Scapegrace Co-Founder Mark Neal says they’re thrilled to pick up the award. “To be awarded a Master Medal at the highly acclaimed Global World Whisky Masters is a fantastic achievement for our whole team,” said Neal.

“The New Zealand movement of Single Malt on the world stage is relatively new, so to pick up such an acclaimed accolade amongst the world’s best is a dream come true.”

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Fortitude V was recognised by the judges for its “light smoke on the nose and complexity” and “smooth palate with hints of smoke and sweetness”.

The Fortitude V is a mānuka-smoked single malt, which is aged three years in a virgin French oak cask.

“We are super proud of our unique, distinct mānuka style and it really showcases the best of New Zealand by being distilled with water from the Southern Alps and using local mānuka in the malting process,” says Neal. “This is a huge win for our international reputation and again shows that we’re right up there with the best in the world.”

Scapegrace also won Gold at the Global Spirit World Whisky Masters 2023 for its Fortuna VI mānuka-smoked single malt whisky, and Silver for Dimension VII, its classic blend.

Hancocks

Gin Mare brings the Med

THE FLAVOURS of the Mediterranean are at the heart of Gin Mare – a gin that evokes the gentle pace of life under the sun.

The story of Gin Mare begins in an old fishing village in north-eastern Spain, where an 18th -century chapel houses a custom-made still in which Gin Mare was first created, inspired by local botanicals and flavours, as well as the rhythms and culture of its location.

The chapel and its still continue to stand proudly at the entrance of the distillery, welcoming visitors and inviting them to experience the Mediterranean culture.

The craft of Gin Mare

Gin Mare is a true representation of craftsmanship using experience passed through generations in its production processes, while paying attention to every detail to assure a gin of the highest quality.

Gin Mare is crafted with a blend of single distillates of each of its botanicals. This allows the master distiller to always deliver the same exceptional gin. Gin Mare starts with a premium barley base, combined with a delicate maceration and independent distillation process of each botanical, finalised by its signature blending which allows all the characteristics of each botanical to be expressed in the final product.

Tastes of the Med

Gin Mare uses Arbequina olives, which provide a unique texture and savoury profile to the gin, making it perfect for pairing with different kinds of food. It is also made with three key botanicals from Mediterranean cuisine: basil, thyme, and rosemary. This combination of olives and herbs creates an aromatic gin with a savoury quality and herbal and citrus notes.

Gin Mare is Mediterranean to the core and has succeeded in distilling, bottling, and exporting the Mediterranean lifestyle to the world.

The rippling waves of the Mediterranean ocean are echoed in the base of the bottle, while the label features branches of the olive tree, which is so synonymous with the region. The distinctive Gin Mare bottle provides a unique look on the shelf and back bar.

Gin Mare is distributed in New Zealand through Hancocks.

This combination of olives and herbs creates an aromatic gin with a savoury quality and herbal and citrus notes.

2023 Barrel Aged Negroni from Hastings Distillers

HASTINGS

DISTILLERS has released the second edition of its Barrel Aged Negroni.

Described as “deep, dark and smoky”, the Biogrocertified organic limited edition release blends Hastings Distillers’ organic Gin, L’Opera bitter orange and Rubis Vermouth. It rests for 18 months in 300L bespoke French oak barrels before bottling.

The 2023 Barrel Aged Negroni has notes of marmalade, candied peel, chocolate, juniper and dried herbs; the oak ageing brings toffee, mocha, sweet char and a softened mouthfeel.

Limited release of 1,100 bottles.

2023 Barrel Aged Negroni 27% ABV, 500ml RRP $95.

Hastings Distillers

Taste Mexico with Besos Margarita

AN AUTHENTIC premium ready-to-serve Margarita made in New Zealand is wowing judges around the world and fast finding fans at home too.

Besos Margarita is the creation of chef and restaurateur Luis Cabrera. Originally from Mexico City, Cabrera and his wife moved to New Zealand in 2008. They opened Besos Latinos restaurant in 2010 and Besos Latinos Ceviche bar, both in Auckland, but were forced to close permanently in 2022 after the challenges of lockdowns and staff shortages.

It was during the pandemic that Cabrera decided to bottle their signature cocktail “Besos Margarita” and it became very popular. It is now sold in Gilmours around the North island, as well as through Liquorland, ThirstyLiquor and TheMarket.com.

Besos Margarita has received several international awards already, including a Triple Gold at the MLSA Competition and Gold at the prestigious European Spirits Challenge in London this year.

It is available in 700ml bottles, and a 200ml can RTD version is planned for launch in early 2024. drinkbesos.com

Archers Peach Schnapps back in NZ

POPULAR ARCHERS Peach Schnapps has returned to the New Zealand market after a year hiatus – now under the De Kuyper portfolio it is available through Hancocks Wine, Beer and Spirit Merchants.

De Kuyper Royal Distillers acquired Archers Peach Schnapps from Diageo, adding the new brand hero to its international liqueur portfolio. The acquisition is a fact as of November 2023.

De Kuyper Royal Distillers says it is excited to welcome Archers Peach Schnapps to its premium brand portfolio and is looking forward to further building the iconic brand. “The British brand icon is the perfect complement to our premium cocktail liqueurs portfolio, making us world leader in the peach liqueurs category,” said De Kuyper in a statement. “In line with our vision ‘Own the Cocktail’, this further strengthens our position.”

Mark de Witte, CEO of De Kuyper commented further, saying: “Archers is a high-quality liqueur with a great heritage, deeply rooted in UK consumers’ minds when it comes to peach liqueurs. This strong brand performs very stably and has remained relevant for consumers in the UK ever since its launch.

“For De Kuyper, the brand will have high priority and we will contribute our over 325 years of expertise in liqueurs and our specific knowledge in the peach category to bring out the best in Archers.”

Archers Peach Schnapps (700ml) is available through Hancocks.

“Archers Peach Schnapps is a high-quality liqueur with a great heritage.”

New U.S. distribution for Broken Shed Vodka

NEW ZEALAND brand Broken Shed Vodka has entered into a national distribution agreement in the U.S. with Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits (Southern Glazer’s), the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol.

Broken Shed says that as the largest wine and spirits distributor in the country, operating across 44 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Southern Glazers will introduce its vodka to previously untapped U.S. markets and continue to grow distribution in the existing footprint. This expansion builds upon Broken Shed’s current presence in 30 U.S. markets.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Southern Glazer’s, the country’s

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leading wine and spirits distributor, whose impressive distribution network and commitment to excellence align seamlessly with our company values,” said Steve Bellini, President of Broken Shed Vodka. “This agreement marks a significant achievement for our brand, empowering our strategic advancement to introduce Broken Shed Vodka to a considerably broader audience and set the stage for the brand’s future growth.”

Broken Shed Vodka began the transition in the 21 U.S. markets covered by Southern Glazer’s distribution network on October 1, with national expansion to take place over the next year.

imagination Intelligin – New Zealand’s first AI Gin

KAPITI COAST Distillery imagination has crafted an award-winning London Dry Gin using Artificial Intelligence.

The idea was born when imagination’s Creative Director Gavin Bradley was experimenting with the AI graphic program Midjourney/Discord. He was struck by the fact that to create an image, he first had to type in ‘/imagine’ before writing his prompt. It just seemed tailor-made for imagination.

With their imaginations stimulated, distillers Chris Charteris and Simon Wilson used AI chatbot ChatGPT to create the recipe for the gin. “We simply wrote a request into the Chat window: ‘Can you give us a recipe for a world’s best London Dry Gin’,” says Chris. “Then we refined it to suit our specific style of still. Twenty seconds later, we had a recipe!”

Testing ChatGPT’s gin knowledge even further, the pair then asked it to suggest a ‘secret’ ingredient. “We wanted to add something to make the recipe a little more unique and it immediately offered up cubeb pepper. It’s a spice from Indonesia that tastes like a combination of black pepper and allspice with hints of citrus and pine. It was a seriously good suggestion!”

The more recent AI chatbot GPT-4 came up with the name INTELLIGIN and also wrote the tasting notes for the label, while the AI graphic program Midjourney/Discord created the image for the label.

The imagination team are keen to see the reaction to their new AI-inspired release. “It will be interesting to see what response we receive from customers and industry,” says Chris. “The discussion around AI technology taking away people’s jobs has been an interesting one, but we believe the art of distilling will prevail.”

imagination INTELLIGIN has already won a silver medal in the London Dry Category at The Junipers (NZ Gin Awards), so could very well turn out to be the best yet. imagination INTELLIGIN is available now – RRP $89. To order, email orders@imaginationgin.nz imaginationgin.nz

With their imaginations stimulated, distillers Chris Charteris and Simon Wilson used AI chatbot ChatGPT to create the recipe for the gin.

Broken Shed Vodka is based in Wānaka and has been distilled and bottled in New Zealand since its inception in 2009. It has experienced substantial growth since its current leadership team began distribution in U.S. markets in 2018.

Argentina’s Tres Monos wins Art of Hospo title in World’s 50 Best Bars

TRES MONOS in Buenos Aires has been rated the single best bar hospitality experience in the world, winning Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023.

It was selected by The World’s 50 Best Bars Academy, which is made up of more than 650 anonymous industry experts, who are asked to name the bar where they received the singlebest hospitality experience during the voting period.

Opened in 2019, Tres Monos is a compact neighbourhood bar in the vibrant Palermo Soho barrio of Buenos Aires. It is celebrated for its low-fi neon aesthetic, playful punk ethos, a soundtrack straight from the ‘90s and a concise menu of democratic signatures that riff on the classics.

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The bar’s passionate commitment to its community has resulted not only in deep ties to local producers, showcasing the diversity of native Argentinian ingredients, but in a thriving bartender training programme in the under-served Mugica district of the capital.

Co-founders and owners Charly Aguinsky and Sebastián Atienza comment: “Argentina and Latin America stand out for the hospitality of its people. In Tres Monos particularly, we believe hospitality is the most important thing in a bar because people might forget what they had to drink but they won’t forget how you made them feel.

“That was our primary goal when we opened the bar: to make people feel welcomed in every situation; hence receiving the Michter’s Art of Hospitality

Award is the ultimate accolade for us as a group. This makes us feel really proud of what we’ve built, and we are grateful to the amazing team working with us, who make Tres Monos what it is today.”

The list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 will be revealed on 17 October in Singapore, marking the first time the event has been held outside Europe. worlds50bestbars.com

Weekender craft gin for modern everyday consumers

WEEKENDER GIN captures the essence of sun-kissed Kiwi summer days and long, warm, playful nights. Crafted for everyday enjoyment or creating memories with friends on your weekend adventures.

Weekender offers an affordable yet premium flavoured craft gin experience that is more approachable and appealing to new modern consumers.

Chris of Blush Gin recognised an emerging segment of younger, more price-sensitive gin buyers, but felt existing products in the market weren’t relatable to a local audience.

“International entrants to the segment seemed out of touch with Kiwi consumers, so we created the Weekender range and brand to better resonate with our local

customers. And so far the reception has been exceptional!”

Weekender Gin is available in four variations: Classic dry, Lemon, Peach, and Orange.

Distributed by Blush Gin 021 612 165 merchants@blushgin.co.nz

Distributors

1919 Distilling 021 024 22067 1919distilling.com

5 Mile Distilling 5mile.nz

Archie Rose nick@archierose.com.au archierose.com.au/nz

Armada Spirits info@armadaspirits.co.nz armadaspirits.co.nz

Asahi Beverages NZ 09 298 3000 asahibeverages.co.nz

Astrolabe Wines 03 577 6794 astrolabewines.co.nz

Bach Brewing 09 390 0149 bachbrewing.co.nz

Beam Suntory 0800 69 23 37 beamsuntory.com

Behemoth Brewing 09 948 0425 behemothbrewing.co.nz

Beverage Brothers 03 390 1377 beveragebrothers.co.nz

Black Collar Distillery blackcollardistillery.com

Blush Gin 021 612 165 blushgin.co.nz

The Bond Store 021 667 683 thebondstore.co.nz

Brandhouse 0508 468 688 brandhouse.co.nz

Bureaucrats Gin bureaucratsgin.co.nz

Cardrona Distillery 03 443 1393 cardronadistillery.com

Clarity Distilling Co. 021 0405 235 claritydc.co.nz

Clark Lane Distillery 027 560 4621 clarklanedistillery.co.nz

Co Pilot 09 412 9137 copilotdistributors.co.nz

Coromandel Distilling Co. info@corodc.com corodc.com

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners 0800 262 226 ccep.com

DB Breweries 0800 746 432 db.co.nz

Dhall & Nash 0800 369 463 dnfinewine.com

Dunedin Craft Distillers 027 479 7714 dunedincraftdistillers.nz

Elsewhere Gin mark@elsewheregin.com elsewheregin.com

Emerson’s 03 477 1812 emersons.co.nz

Esk Valley 09 255 0666 eskvalleywines.com

EuroVintage 0800 388 766 eurovintage.co.nz

Exceptional Flavours 022 0399 633 exceptionalflavours.co.nz

Exhibit A exhibitabrand.com

Federal Merchants 0800 846 824 federalmerchants.co.nz

Foley Wines 03 572 8200 sales@foleywines.co.nz

Forrest Wines 03 572 9084 forrest.co.nz

Frucor Suntory 0800 437 8267 frucorsuntory.com

Garage Project 04 801 8076 (ext 3) sales@garageproject.co.nz

Giesen Group 03 344 6270 giesen.co.nz

Glengarry 0800 733 505 glengarry.co.nz

Good George freshbrew@goodgeorge.co.nz goodgeorge.kiwi.nz

Hancocks 0800 699 463 hancocks.co.nz

Hastings Distillers 06 870 3991 hastingsdistillers.com

Hi I.Q. Liquor Merchants 09 634 4202 hiiqliquor.co.nz

Holland Road hollandroad.co.nz

Humdinger 027 463 4790 humdinger.nz imagination imaginationgin.nz

Indevin info@indevin.com indevin.com

Invivo Wines 0800 468 486 invivowines.com

Island Gin 09 429 0690 islandgin.com

Kaimai Brewing & Distilling 027 678 9752 kaimaibrewinganddistilling.co.nz

Kākāp ō Distillery hello@kakapodistillery.co.nz kakapodistillery.co.nz

Kana Beverages 021 058 7894 kanabeverages.co.nz

Karven 021 723 090 karven.co.nz

Kono 04 546 8648 kono.co.nz

Lion 0800 107 272 lionco.co

Makan Distiller 09 276 8185 makan.co.nz

M āori Point Wines 03 428 8842 maoripoint.co.nz

Marisco 09 522 9684 marisco.co.nz

Mineral orders@mineralwine.co.nz mineral.co.nz

Moa Brewing Co. 09 367 9472 moabeer.com

Mothers Ruined Gin hello@mothersruinedgin.com mothersruinedgin.com

Mt Fyffe Distillery 021 135 4796 mtfyffedistillery.co.nz

The National Distillery Company 06 833 7317 nationaldistillery.nz

Negociants 0800 634 624 negociantsnz.com

No8 Distillery no8distillery@gmail.com no8distillery.com

Old Mate Distillery sales@oldmate.co.nz oldmate.co.nz

Pacific Coast Beverages 021 0393 155 pacificcoastbeverages.co.nz

Pernod Ricard 0800 655 550 pernod-ricard-nz.com

The Premium Liquor Co. 09 975 7432 premiumliquor.co.nz

Proof & Company ordersnz@proofandcompany.com proofandcompany.com

Q Liquid 09 636 7730 qll.co.nz

Red+White Cellar 09 376 0760 redwhitecellar.co.nz

Redmetal Vineyards 027 552 6086 redmetalvineyards.co.nz

Sandymount Distillery 022 305 6547 sandymount.nz

Settlement Wines 021 804 441 settlementwines.co.nz

Sprig + Fern 03 544 8675 sprigandfern.co.nz

Spy Valley 03 572 6088 spyvalleywine.co.nz

Te Kano Estate 03 928 6951 tekanoestate.com

Terrace Edge 022 151 3013 terraceedge.co.nz

Thirsty Camel customerservice@thirstycamel. co.nz 0800 844 778 thirstycamel.co.nz

Thomson Whisky thomsonwhisky.co.nz

Tickety-Boo Liquor 09 377 7597 tickety-boo.co.nz

Twelfth Hour Distillery twelfthhourdistillery.co.nz

The Vicar’s Son 021 832 440 vicarsson.co.nz

Vintners NZ 0800 687 9463 vintners.co.nz

Waiheke Distilling 09 372 7797 waihekedistilling.co.nz

Whisky Galore 03 377 6824 trade.whiskygalore.co.nz

Whitehaven 021 738 315 whitehaven.co.nz

World@BWS sales@worldbws.co.nz worldbws.co.nz