SPIRITS REPORT – GIN
Indiginous Damson Plum & Blackberry Gin Liqueur 32% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Indiginous
A 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. Indiginous Reikorangi Triple Distilled 42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Indiginous
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. The finish is of lingering juniper and warm spice. Indiginous Rhubarb & Raspberry 38% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Indiginous
This pinky red gin has layered aromas of tart rhubarb and sweet red berry. It has a rounded mouthfeel; clean and light with well-balanced rhubarb and berry. A long dry finish with just a hint of sweetness.
Juno Summer 2019 40% ABV, 200ml RRP $42 EuroVintage
Karven Ginseng Gin 40% ABV, 500ml RRP $60 Quench Collective
There's an instant hit of freshly cut citrus in the aroma of this gin, which uses Bay of Plenty tangelos. This contines on the palate with underlying sweetness from red clover. Light finish, with fresh citrus and honey. Awarded Gold at NZ Spirits Awards 2019.
Part of Karven’s ‘Distillers Reserve’ range and using ginseng sourced from the mountainous regions of the central North Island. The aroma is earthy with an almost liquorice note, while on the palate it has a focused earthy flavour with warm, gingery spice characteristics.
Juno Autumn 2019 40% ABV, 200ml RRP $42 EuroVintage
Aromas of ripe fruit with a red apple character call to mind an orchard in late autumn. The gin uses crabapples, lemon balm and cinnamon for a rich flavour. The palate is full and rounded, with cinnamon spice emerging alongside the fruit. Juno Winter 2019 44% ABV, 200ml RRP $42 EuroVintage
There's a slightly higher ABV on this seasonal expression from Juno to keep you warm on a winter night. A gin full of fresh citrus with subtle honey sweetness, it uses local Taranaki honey and locally grown chamomile, lime blossom and lemon verbena. Karven Raspberry Gin 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $80 Quench Collective
Part of Karven’s ‘Distillers Reserve’ range, this gin uses raspberries picked near the distillery in rural Puhoi, north of Auckland. It is a pale pink colour with aromas of juniper and a hint of fruit sweetness that lingers on the palate.
Juno Extra Fine Gin 40% ABV, 200ml RRP $30, 700ml RRP $88 EuroVintage
A rounded aroma with juniper and lemon zest to the fore. Elegant and light on the palate with fresh citrus, juniper and delicate orange blossom. Subtle note of liquorice on the finish. Awarded Silver at IWSC 2019. Juno Spring 2019 40% ABV, 200ml RRP $42 EuroVintage
Piney juniper and zesty citrus from the yuzu in this gin create an aromatic and uplifting nose. It is smooth, light and rounded on the palate with a gentle heat from pink peppercorns balanced with citrus freshness.
66 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2019
Juno Extra Fine Gin was awarded Silver at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2019.
Karven Dry Gin 40.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 Quench Collective
This small-batch gin combines classic botanicals with native Manuka flowers and lemon myrtle to create a smooth, citrusforward expression with lifted flavours of lemon and grapefruit, slight sweetness and a warming undertone of cinnamon. Lavender Hill Lavender Infused Gin 40% ABV, 700ml RRP $69 Lavender Hill
This gin’s pretty floral character comes from an infusion of English Lavender oil, made from flowers hand-harvested at Lavender Hill’s Riverhead property north west of Auckland. Owners Jason and Trish Delamore process the oil in their own large steam still and it was just awarded Best in New Zealand at the Supreme Oil Awards, held by the NZ Lavender Growers Association. An elegant gin with aromas of juniper, subtle citrus and a sweetly floral hint. The lavender becomes more apparent on the palate, yet is still delicate. Rounded with a hint of spice and a long finish.