There is no doubt that gin has been enjoying a renaissance of late; elegant in a dry martini, perfect in a summer cocktail, or unpretentiously enjoyed with tonic and a wedge of lime – this clever, versatile cocktail staple is now enjoying a revival in Australia thanks to a surge of local micro-distilleries with the objective of showcasing unmistakable local flavours and unique Australian ingredients. The result is quite simply stunning…. a traditionally distilled gin with a distinctly Australian craft flavour!
Something Wild, Adelaide Hill Distillery, Blind Tiger, Four Pillars, West Winds and northern beaches’ own Manly Spirits Co have all been enjoying burgeoning success distributing its artisan gins all over Australia and now beyond. With millennials now clearly including gin in their cocktail repertoire, we’ve highlighted some great Australian craft gins to keep a lookout for the next time you are in store or online.
Manly Spirits Co.
Inspired by sunrise swims through the crystal-clear waters of Manly’s famed marine sanctuary, Manly Spirits Co’s exquisite Gins are crafted using a carefully-considered blend of sustainably foraged marine botanicals, Australian native and more traditional gin botanicals, balanced neatly with the highest quality Australian grain spirit. Using only the purest Australian wheat spirit, their gins showcase a bright, fresh citrus nose, balanced with gentle peppery notes on the palate to deliver a rounded, lingering finish.
Four Pillars Gins
The secret to Four Pillars Gin lies in the combination of ingredients; cardamom, cinnamon and star anise with Australian oranges, Tasmanian Pepperberry leaf and lemon myrtle, a native Australian plant. The juniper is still there but it is layered with a blend of modern Australian flavours, Southern European citrus and South East Asian spice, all of which makes it an entirely too drinkable gin.
West Winds
The brainchild of four Australian visionaries, the goal of West Winds Gins was simple – to produce distinctive Australian gin that would rival the best in the world. Their premium gins have gone on to achieve prestigious Australian accolades of their own including ‘The Best On-premise Spirit or Liqueur’ at the 2013 Australian Liquor Industry Awards in 2013 and Champion Gin at the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards 2014. The West Winds Gins are unashamedly different and uniquely Australian. Inspired by seafarers, distilled by craftsmen, The West Winds Gins are quite simply Damn Fine Gins, from Australia.
Our favourites? Next time your perusing the Australian craft gin aisle look out for our favourite offerings; Manly Spirits Dry Gin which consist of marine botanicals: Sea lettuce, Pepper Leaf, Anise Myrtle, Finger Lime, Orange Peel. Or for a more time-honoured traditional tipple try West Winds Gin Sabre unashamedly classic, it incorporates a strong undercurrent of citrus weaving through twelve spices and botanicals including juniper, lemon myrtle, lime peel and wattle seed. Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin with10 botanicals including juniper berries, coriander seeds, cardamom pods, lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepper berry leaf, cinnamon, lavender, angelica, star anise and both dried orange peel as well as fresh oranges. Enjoy!