There’s something wonderfully adventurous about discovering a great gin – especially when it’s been dreamed up, distilled and bottled right here in Aotearoa. From inventive botanicals to distinctive Kiwi character, Gintastic raises a glass to the craft, creativity and delicious surprises being poured from New Zealand’s stills.
Strange Nature Barrel Aged Gin
There’s something strangely enticing about experiences that arrive for a limited time, then disappear again. And so it is with Strange Nature’s Barrel Aged Gin. This limited release is oh-so-worth the hunt. Born in a New Zealand vineyard, Strange Nature is a true grape-based gin, distilled from a single botanical (juniper), with no grain.
It’s an extraordinary spirit unlike any other. And the Barrel Aged Gin is designed to whet your appetite for the unique even more. The distinctive gin is rested for nine months in French and German wine barrels, creating an intriguing expression layered with citrus, berries, spice and oak. With only a small number released, it’s a bottle worth seeking out while you can.
1919 Pink Gin
Born from an Auckland distillery with a distinctly Kiwi sense of adventure, 1919 Distilling takes its name from the year New Zealand came tantalisingly close to prohibition – a nod to the independent spirit that continues to shape the brand. Unafraid to stand out from the crowd, at 1919 Distilling, its base spirit is made from molasses (no whey alcohol here), a time-honoured tradition dating back to the 17th Century.
Undeniably modern however is the 1919 handcrafted Pink Gin; distilled with raspberries and locally grown Auckland strawberries, with subtle spice and an elegant berry finish. Inspired by gin and bitters, it’s fresh, dry and unmistakably summery – perfect to enjoy regardless of the season and a delicious expression of what can happen when Kiwi ingenuity meets the art of the still.
Awildian Coromandel Mānuka Gin
If ever a drink perfectly matched its name, it’s Awildian. Meaning ‘the refusal to be tamed’, it exactly represents the wild Coromandel and Awildian’s untamed approach to distilling. Clearly the two scientists who started this brand are doing something right, as Coromandel Distilling Co. has amassed a swag of awards.
We’re smitten by this beguiling Coromandel Mānuka Gin, which hits the palate like a smoky old friend who has had a serious modern glow up. With warming flavours of honey and candied orange, and aged in toasted Mānuka wood, it’s best enjoyed as you would a fine whisky. Respect.
