2 minute read
Botanic Australis Gin
IN 2001, MARK WATKINS FOUNDED MT UNCLE DISTILLERY ON HIS FAMILY’S BANANA FARM IN WALKAMIN, AUSTRALIA. AS THE FIRST AND ONLY DISTILLERY IN NORTH QUEENSLAND, MT. UNCLE IS A PREMIER ATTRACTION ON THE ATHERTON TABLELANDS; AND THAT’S NO SURPRISE. NESTLED AT THE FOOTHILL OF MOUNT UNCLE ITSELF, THE DISTILLERY IS SET IN A BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPED GARDEN WITH A BANANA PLANTATION AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE.
THE LOCATION OF THE DISTILLERY IN far North Queensland also means that Mark, as the owner and Head Distiller, has access to a wide variety of high quality ingredients and the hot climate ensures that the spirits age faster then they would in the Southern states.
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Among a range of whiskies, vodkas, rums and liqueurs, Mt Uncle is home to the only Gin in Australia that sources all of its botanicals locally, apart from the juniper component, which is imported from Northern Italy.
The Botanic Australis Gin is a dry styled gin based on an original London recipe but with the original ingredients substituted for Australian native botanicals. The structured blend allows it to stand out from any other gin on the market with its unique herbaceous, floral taste.
According to Mark, the small production that comes from owning and operating a craft distillery such as Mt Uncle, means that more attention is paid to the fermentation and distillation process, with a better end result. With the amount of awards that the Botanic Australis Gin has won since hitting the shelves in 2012 – including Silver at the 2015 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards – we couldn’t agree with him more.
The Botanic Australis Gin is packaged in a clear 700ml decanter with an appropriation of the Australian crest, featuring national animals such as the Kangaroo and Emu, marked on a black label around the neck. It is best served as a traditional Gin and Tonic, over ice or in a range of invigorating cocktails such as the Gin and Elderflower Fizz – which combines Botanic Australis Gin, Elderflower Cordial and fresh lime to create an uplifting cocktail experience. ❧
Tasting notes
BOTANIC AUSTRALIS GIN
Appearance: Clear
Aroma: Complex but well balanced blend with notes of anise, lemon, forest floor and Christmas fruit
Flavour: A hint of juniper to start off and then the intensity of the other flavours start to come through. Lemon, mint and then a boom of herbaceousness
