SPIRITS NEWS
New releases from Little Biddy Gin REEFTON DISTILLING Co has launched its new Little Biddy Gin – Pink for the summer of 2021, this time made with New Zealand cherries. It follows the 2020 sell-out success of the initial pink gin made with locally grown West Coast berries. The new gin showcases the natural colour, sweetness and depth of the cherries. It has subtle floral notes on the nose, is rich with sweet citrus and has a palate of warming spice followed by the complex sweetness and depth of New Zealand cherries. Reefton has also revealed a sneak peek of its new Limited
Edition, Little Biddy Gin – Snow, tipped for release in mid-2022. While rain is abundant in the rainforests surrounding Reefton, snow is rare and the Reefton Distilling Co team was keen to mark the moment. “Falling snow captures the volatile organic compounds in the surrounding air and environment, and so becomes
a composition and reflection of the local landscape,” says distiller Beth Scott. The new gin is made from locally gathered fresh snow, native manuka, alpine lavender, peppermint and lime. Each bottle will be presented in a gift box made on the West Coast. • Little Biddy Gin – Pink RRP $89.99 • Little Biddy Gin – Snow RRP $97.99 (out mid-2022) EuroVintage
SHOWCASE
Imagination’s Lewis Farms Strawberry Gin returns IMAGINATION DISTILLING’S seasonal strawberry gin is back for its third season. With a punnet of Lewis Farms strawberries to every litre of imagination Strawberry Gin, the strawberry flavour is unmistakable without being sweet or overbearing. It makes a great G&T and really comes to life in a summer fruit cup. “It was great to find such incredible strawberries growing right here on our doorstep in Levin,” says imagination co-owner/distiller Chris Charteris. “We have always believed that ‘shopping local’ is important, but the real bonus has been getting to know the Lewis family – three generations of them. It feels like we’re part of their family and they’re part of ours.” The label for the 2021 edition of imagination Lewis Farms Strawberry Gin
106 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021
has been inked by Featherstonbased tattooist Mario Gregor. “I’ve seen a few of his pieces on clients of mine,” says Simon Wilson, co-owner of imagination and a practising dentist. “Mario’s work is completely extraordinary, so we were absolutely stoked when he agreed to work with us.” Mario Gregor is in constant demand for his tattooing skills and clients book months ahead to be tattooed by him. “In this instance, COVID Level 4 lockdown created the window of opportunity for Mario to be able to say ‘yes’ to us,” says Simon. imagination Lewis Farms Strawberry Gin will be released in October and available until sold out. For distribution details visit imaginationgin.nz
Mario Gregor