The Crystal
Ball of Gin Hot trends and plenty of new GIN-spiration is on the horizon.
A
s far as the booze industry is concerned, you would had to have spent most of 2018 under a rock or in a very dark and sober cave to miss the overflow of gins flooding the market in the last 12 months. From ready-to-drink to pink, we’ve covered every trend and plenty of New Zealand made products so we’ve turned our eyes to what’s coming for gin-lovers and adventurers everywhere.
WE PREDICT: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST In August 2018, New Zealand brand Scapegrace won the accolade of Best London Dry Gin for their Scapegrace Gold expression at the prestigious International Wines and Spirits competition in London. It’s proof that our best-in-class New Zealand made spirits can compete alongside the best of the best. In this instance, Scapegrace beat 600 other gins in the competition for this award. Scapegrace Gold is made distinctive by the use of tangerine in the line-up of 13 botanicals. This slight twist on traditional citrus rings true with the brand and the supreme award is a dream come true for the three founders Mark Neal, Richard Bourke and Daniel McLaughlan. The trio started the gin brand in 2014 and had to tackle a hefty re-brand at a key moment due to a prior in-market competitor in one of their international markets, but four years on they have launched into 35 global markets including the United States. As New Zealand producers continue to multiply and release everincreasing volumes of small-batch, craft, artisan (pick your adjective) gins – the survivors will eventually be determined by quality and price point, not just the slick marketing campaigns. Producers like Hidden World (co-founded by Luke Nicholson of Epic Beer), Scapegrace and Curiosity Gin will continue to forge ahead because of the quality and consistency of their products while many others will fail to find the financial traction to stay on the shelves.
WE PREDICT: MORE REGULATIONS AND A HAPPIER INDUSTRY The ongoing emergence of the category saw the formation of the NZ Gin Association in 2017, with founding member brands Curiosity Gin, Vaione, Hidden World, Rogue Society Distilling Co (now Scapegrace), Sacred Spring, Karven, Ariki, Juno Gin, Reid & Reid, Broken Heart, Black Robin, Elemental and Lighthouse. Spirits associations around the world have been largely responsible for creating and then helping to enforce regulations that ensure the ongoing quality and consistency of a category (see prediction #1). Distilled Spirits Aotearoa (NZ) Inc. was formed in 2018, from ‘a group of distilled spirits manufacturers and associated groups and individuals, passionate about promoting our New Zealand-made products and representing the joint interests of all NZ makers of distilled spirit products.’ Distilled Spirits Aotearoa will host the inaugural NZ Spirits Awards in March 2019. The ongoing presence of formation of these new groups will lead to new regulations being developed to protect New Zealand producers and consumers. 16 | February 2019 | HOSPITALITY BUSINESS | TheShout NZ
Tash McGill is a spirits and hospitality writer who regularly hosts tastings and education classes for those wanting to know more about spirits and their uses - from cocktails to culinary food matches. She has been in the spirits and cocktail industry for more than 10 years, writing, tasting and judging competitions.
