Drinksbiz October November 2024

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 DRINKSBIZ.CO.NZ

GRAND CABARET

APRIL / MAY 2023

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FROM THE EDITOR

Victoria Wells

Editor – Drinksbiz victoria@drinksbiz.co.nz

Tell me a story...

EVERY TIME we put our annual Gin Report together I’m struck by the interesting stories behind so many of them.

This year, seeing a line-up of nearly 400 gins shows how flexible this spirit is when it comes to experimenting with diverse ingredients to tell tales through flavour.

Even the packaging can tell its own story.

I mention this because there has been a lot of talk and research recently about consumer engagement being more important than ever for hospitality businesses looking to draw in punters and build repeat sales or visits.

The advice is to create a memorable experience, not just offer a transaction.

And this translates whether you’re recommending a bottle of wine tableside, chatting to a customer across the bar about what’s going into their cocktail,

or helping a shopper choose a 6-pack of beer to take to a barbecue.

As small as it might seem, connecting customers with the stories behind a product can help to enrich their experience and, ultimately, influence what

The advice is to create a memorable experience, not just offer a transaction.

they choose to spend their money on.

Knowing who has made something, why they used particular ingredients, or why the bottle is designed a certain way can all add an extra dimension to the customer journey.

There are lots of interesting stories to discover on the following pages and you never know, there could well be a new favourite for your next customer.

Enjoy the issue, Victoria.

Tell us your product news

We’re always on the hunt for new products or product updates to tell our Drinksbiz readers about. If you’re launching a new brand, adding to your range, or have any other drinks-related news to communicate we’d love to hear from you. Email victoria@drinksbiz.co.nz

My picks 2023 Matahiwi Estate Wairarapa Pinot Gris I've been enjoying the springtime flavours of Pinot Gris of late, and this release from Matahiwi Estate is full of ripe pear, rose petals, and white peach. Delicious. (Pg 25) Sunshine Pōkeno Full Barrel Ale Ooooh here's an exciting collab! Sunshine and Pōkeno Whisky have teamed up on a lush ale aged in whisky barrels for seven months. Skip dessert and try this. (Pg 43) Dr Beak Haskap Gin Liqueur This new liqueur uses haskap berries (no, I hadn't heard of them either), also known as honeyberries. They're from the northern hemisphere but are being grown near Taihape and are infused in this exotic release from Martinborough distillery Dr Beak. (Pg 56)

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 3

CONTENTS

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

PUBLISHER

Karen Boult karen@boult.co.nz +64 21 320 663 EDITOR

Victoria Wells victoria@drinksbiz.co.nz +64 27 575 9021 DESIGNER

Lewis Hurst A DV E R T I S I N G

Roger Pierce advertising@drinksbiz.co.nz +64 274 335 354

22

drinksbiz.co.nz

BEER & CIDER

REGULARS

Cover story

6

Industry News

8

Diary Dates

13

International News

17

Legal Notes

18

Non-Alcoholic News

20

RTD News

21

Feature: Trends Report 22 WINE

40 Beer & Cider Report

40

Opinion: Michael Donaldson 46 Beer & Cider News

48

SPIRITS Associate Member (NZ) Drinksbiz is published every second month by Trade Media Limited.

24

The contents of Drinksbiz

Wine Report: Aromatics

24

Opinion: Joelle Thomson

30

Top Picks

32

Wine News

33

are copyright and may

52

not be reproduced in any form without the written

Spirits Report: Gin

52

permission of the publisher.

Opinion: Sarah Miller 90

Please address all editorial,

Spirits News

subscription and advertising

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enquiries to Trade Media Limited, P O Box 37745,

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Distributors 4 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

Parnell, Auckland.

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COVER STORY – HENDRICK’S GRAND CABARET

Welcome to Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Sumptuous stone fruit and extravagant gatherings have inspired the newest release from Hendrick’s…

THE LATEST addition to the iconic Hendrick’s gin range has arrived in New Zealand – Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret is a new limited release gin inspired by an historic eau de vie that was in vogue in Paris in the early 1900s.

Described as a gin “for dreamers, artists and free-spirited souls”, Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret is now available through distributor Federal Merchants & Co. It is the biggest release yet from Hendrick’s Cabinet of Curiosities and will be available in over 50 markets internationally.

The distiller’s inspiration

Hendrick’s Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, was inspired to create the new gin after reading about a stone fruit eau de vie served with a dash of gin and scented with rose, which gained popularity at fashionable Parisian parties in the early 1900s. This eau de vie had itself been inspired by a 17th century revelation: the distilling of stone fruit yielded “a wildly indulgent tasty portion”.

Lesley has long been tantalised by the notion of experimenting with unusual

Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Aroma: The classic juniper character of Hendrick’s Gin is enhanced by the natural soft sweetness and bright fruitiness of deliciously decadent stone fruit, which complements and accentuates the freshness of the signature cucumber notes.

Taste: A cabaret of stone fruit flavours seduces with wild waves of light, fruity freshness that is rounded out by sweet aromatic herbs for a deliciously smooth, distinctly different, fragrantly fruity finish.

Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret (43.4% ABV) 700ml RRP $94.99

combinations of botanical fruits, yet this marks the first time she has selected stone fruits to anchor a rich cabaret of flavours in a gin.

“I’m always looking for inspiration, and this time I found it leafing through historical recipes for stone fruit spirits, eaux de vies, peach schnapps, cherry liqueurs and the like, way back when those indulgent stone fruit flavours were really the ‘in thing’ for those that had the means to celebrate in spectacular style,” says Lesley.

“I played around and found that when you put these different stone fruit flavours together they give you a really nice, rich depth of flavour with a great brightness and lightness. I added sweet herbs to round the vibrant fruit out. It’s the first time I’ve experimented with stone fruits in Hendrick’s Gin and I love how it adds a decadent depth of flavour and yet still has the signature refreshing lightness of Hendrick’s too.”

Out of the Cabinet of Curiosities

Lesley created the original Hendrick’s gin 6 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

SLUG

Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Royale Lesley Gracie, Hendrick's Master Distiller

“It’s the first time I’ve experimented with stone fruits in Hendrick’s Gin and I love how it adds a decadent depth of flavour, yet still has the signature refreshing lightness of Hendrick’s.” – Lesley Gracie, Master Distiller. in 1999, after she was approached by the great-grandson of William Grant, Charles Gordon, to create an ‘ultra-premium’ gin.

She was appointed Master Distiller and is responsible for the creation of all of Hendrick’s liquid innovations.

With a background in chemistry, Lesley’s genius lies in her fascination with flavours and how they work together. She visualises flavours as shapes and strikes to create a round, balanced expression in all her elixirs.

Over the past two decades, Lesley Gracie has amassed an array of botanicals, distillates and experimental liquids, which are housed in a locked cabinet – known as the Cabinet of Curiosities – in her laboratory at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace.

Celebrate with Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret

Timed perfectly for the arrival of New Zealand’s spring/summer season and festive get-togethers, Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret is the ideal addition to any celebration.

The brand’s signature apothecary bottle is rendered in a luxurious purple hue and adorned with an eclectic mix of intriguing icons, including a stunning chandelier – a nod to the extravagant gatherings that inspired the liquid’s creation.

“It’s fascinating to dig deep into cocktail history and see what flavour combinations were

30ml Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret 30ml cranberry juice 15ml lime juice 15ml simple syrup Champagne or sparkling wine to top up Cucumber slice and orange peel Method: Combine ingredients in a champagne glass and top with Champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a cucumber slice and orange peel.

captivating creative minds in Paris at the turn of the 20th century,” says Ally Martin, Hendrick’s Global Brand Ambassador.

“This is a bright, bold gin that has a rich depth and layers of flavour and yet is still refreshing and light – it’s ideal in a Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret and Tonic.

If you want to be a little more fancy, the Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Royale is an indulgent way to toast tantalising celebrations.”

Hendrick’s is distributed by Federal Merchants & Co. DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 7

INDUSTRY NEWS

Giesen, Strange Nature move to Federal Merchants GIESEN GROUP Limited has announced a new distribution agreement with Federal Merchants & Co., effective from 1 November 2024.

This strategic partnership marks a significant change as Giesen transitions from self-distribution to working with a well-established distributor. Giesen says it will enhance their ability to meet the demands of a rapidly changing market.

For the past 15 years, Giesen has distributed its own brands across New Zealand, including its premium wines and the recently launched Giesen 0% alcoholremoved range.

However, Giesen General Manager Kyle Skene says that with the market evolving, Federal Merchants’ extensive nationwide distribution network will expand the availability of its wines and deliver even more value to its customers. “Our wines, including our popular Giesen 0% alcoholremoved range, have built a strong presence across many market segments in New Zealand. Partnering with Federal Merchants allows us to reach even more consumers and locations.”

Under the new arrangement Federal Merchants will distribute the Giesen, Giesen 0%, Ara, Bay & Barnes, and Mount Ridge wine brands as well as Kaiser beer.

Plus, through an existing relationship with wine producer Casella, the Peter Lehmann brand currently distributed by Giesen will also move to Federal.

“This collaboration comes at an exciting time for the market and our two 100% New Zealand-owned businesses,” says Kyle Skene. “We believe Federal Merchants is the right partner to support our anticipated growth and better adapt to the evolving consumer trends we are seeing in the New Zealand beverage market.”

Michael Morton, Managing Director of Federal Merchants & Co., says they are 8 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

thrilled to be working with the Giesen family and their world-class portfolio of wines, including the Giesen 0% alcoholremoved range. “It’s a privilege for our team to represent such an iconic New Zealand brand. Adding Giesen to our portfolio is part of our long-term strategy to meet the rising demand for nonalcoholic beverages, while also continuing to offer our customers an exceptional selection of premium wines.

“As a 100% Kiwi-owned company, we’re proud to contribute to the future of the wine sector, and we’re excited to bring Giesen’s wines to more consumers across New Zealand.”

Giesen says that with the new partnership, it aims to build on its success in both the alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage sectors. It says Federal Merchants’ reputation and market reach will help ensure that Giesen’s wines are more accessible than ever before, supporting the company’s continued growth in a changing industry.

In an additional announcement, Strange Nature Gin has confirmed it is now being distributed across New Zealand

by Federal Merchants & Co. The change took effect on 1 October.

In announcing the change, Strange Nature’s General Manager and Owner, Rhys Julian, thanked original distributor Giesen Group. “Giesen Group have done a stunning job over the last three years in helping to build the Strange Nature brand in the New Zealand market.

“At the same time, we are delighted to transition over the distributor management to Federal, a distributorship that has an excellent track record of growing both local and international super premium spirit brands. We have ambitious plans for the New Zealand market and are confident that a like-minded company such as Federal can help realise them.”

The multi-award-winning gin has become known for its unique taste profile, distinctive packaging and innovative production process. It is made from spirit distilled from premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and juniper as its single botanical. Most recently, Strange Nature was awarded the Trophy for Best Overall in Category (Gin Contemporary) at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Federal Merchants & Co.’s Michael Morton said: “We are very excited to bring Strange Nature into the Federal family of brands and to further strengthen our position in locally-owned and produced products. We have admired from a distance the great job Rhys and the team have done on the brand so far and we look forward to being a big part of the future growth of Strange Nature here in New Zealand.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

DSA Update Outgoing chairman of Distilled Spirits Aotearoa, Richard Wilson (Sandymount Distillery), looks back over a busy conference and awards season for the local spirits industry…

September was a big month for the DSA and for craft spirits in Aotearoa. The second annual Distilled Spirits NZ conference kicked off over two days in Auckland’s Rydges Hotel, featuring 23 speakers from New Zealand and Australia, and with attendees coming from distilleries all over the country. The conference was a large success and acts as a vital part to the strengthening of the industry presence.

The DSA held its AGM where it welcomed four new members to its governing board: Tom Finn (Herrick Creek Distillery) Roanne Parker (Waiheke Whisky) Nikki Oesterle (Papaiti Gin) and Sarah Bonoma (Dancing Sands Distillery).

It also saw out previous board members Matt Bridge (Lunatic and Lover) Antony Michalik (The Spirits Workshop) Angela Davis (Glorious Lands) and myself as Chairman.

The DSA will start off its new year by reestablishing its strategic direction under the leadership of its newly appointed board.

Following the Spirits Conference, was the sixth annual New Zealand Spirits Awards, where New Zealand entries had their best representation to date, 19% up on last year. Of 79 Gold and Double Golds awarded, 48 went to New Zealand products.

This strongly highlights the quality and consistency coming from the domestic market.

For more information about DSA and membership options visit distilledspiritsaotearoa.org.nz

Big changes ahead for alcohol sales in Auckland STRICT NEW rules around alcohol sales in Auckland will start in December after a unanimous vote from the city’s councillors.

Auckland’s new local alcohol policy will come into full effect by 9 December 2024.

After nearly a decade of legal appeals that went all the way to the Supreme Court, the local alcohol policy for Auckland was approved by the Alcohol and Regulatory Licensing Authority at the start of August.

It went before the council’s governing body at the end of the month where it received the final seal of approval from councillors.

The first changes took effect on 16 September with stricter rules for new off-licences opening in the central city and 23 other suburbs.

Auckland Council says that these rules mean that any application to open an off-licence in these areas is likely to be

declined for the next two years, unless a very high threshold is met.

Changes to maximum trading hours will come in on 9 December 2024. From this date: • bottle shops and supermarkets across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will not be able to sell alcohol after 9pm.

• bars, restaurants and other on-licences permitted by the District Licensing Committee will be able to sell alcohol until no later than 4am in the central

city, and 3am outside of the central city.

• sports clubs and RSAs permitted by the District Licensing Committee will be able to sell alcohol until 1am.

Auckland Council says the policy will not impact special licences for festivals and events and that these will continue to be assessed by the District Licensing Committee, as they are now.

It says licence holders will receive regular information by email over the next few months.

Distribution change for Carrick

Richard Wilson

10 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

BANNOCKBURN PRODUCER Carrick Winery has announced a significant change in its distribution strategy for the New Zealand market. After nearly 25 years in partnership, Carrick Winery will be parting ways with its distributor, EuroVintage on 1 November 2024.

“EuroVintage has been a cornerstone in the growth and success of Carrick Winery for a quarter of a century.” said Cliff Wickman, General Manager at Carrick. “Their service and dedication have been commendable and has been instrumental

in bringing our wines to the New Zealand market.

“The decision to undertake a distribution reset has not been taken lightly. Considering the current financial climate and evolving market conditions, Carrick Winery has identified the need to adapt its distribution strategy to better align with its future goals and ensure continued growth and sustainability.

We will be taking a more direct route to market utilising the extensive logistics network offered through Bidfood to deliver our wine to our trade customers.”

Distributed by Federal Merchants & Co | federalmerchants.co.nz | 09 578 1823

INDUSTRY NEWS

Good news for wine tourism as Bill passes

WINE TOURISM is expected to get a boost following the passing of a Bill that will streamline the process for wineries to sell samples at their cellar doors.

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Winery Cellar Door Tasting) Amendment Bill passed following its third reading in August.

The Bill had been drawn in September 2022 and was proposed by Stuart Smith, National MP for Kaikōura, whose electorate encompasses the major wine region of Marlborough.

The changes will allow winery cellar doors with an off-licence to charge for providing samples of wine, which

were previously only able to be given away for free, making it difficult for wineries to cover the costs of providing these experiences.

“These changes will make a difference”, says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers. “The Bill brings legislation on winery cellar doors into the 21st century. It recognises the contribution made by winery cellar doors to the tourism offering in New Zealand’s wine regions and enables wineries to charge for providing their tourism experience.

“It is positive that the legislation will be in force ahead of the busy summer season,” adds Gregan, “which was one of our requests to the Select Committee when hearing submissions on the Bill. We thank them for the timely consideration of the Private Members Bill.”

Gregan says that they expect this change will create new jobs and tourism experiences to encourage visitor growth.

“During the submission process the Select Committee heard directly from our members that this change will help them to cover their costs and encourage other members to open new winery cellar doors that would otherwise have not been an economic proposition.”

Winery cellar doors will continue to observe host responsibility practices, including a maximum sample size of 35ml, meeting the new requirements to have snack food available for purchase and for water to be freely available.

High hopes for Govt push for return to office working THE GOVERNMENT’S announcement that it wants to see more public servants come into their place of work each day is supported by Hospitality New Zealand.

The Hon. Nicola Willis, Minister for Public Service, announced in late September that working from home arrangements for public servants must be mutually agreed, ensure employee performance and agency objectives are not compromised, and be actively monitored and

reported to the Public Service Commission.

“While carefully defined working from home arrangements can benefit workers and employers, if the pendulum swings too far in favour of working from home, there are downsides for employers and employees.

That’s even before we consider the effects for the CBD retailers, restaurants and cafés,” said Willis.

Steve Armitage, Hospitality NZ’s Chief Executive, says

12 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

having more people working from offices will improve foot traffic in city centres, especially in Wellington where the public service has the highest presence.

“Foot traffic drives a significant portion of sales for hospitality businesses, such as cafés, restaurants, and bars,” says Armitage. “City centres rely on a constant flow of people, including office workers, tourists, and shoppers, who engage in spontaneous purchases or stop for food

and drinks as they move about their days.

“Our members and other hospitality businesses have reported that Mondays and Fridays, which are the most common work-from-home days for the public service, have seen a big drop in patronage.

“With public service workers now being encouraged to return to the office as the primary place of work, hospitality businesses will be looking forward to seeing increased foot traffic and patronage.”

DIARY DATES

WHAT’S ON OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Friday 4 – Monday 28 October

Friday 1 November

Savour Northland

NZ Fruit Wine and Cider Awards – Nelson

Thursday 7 November

Bayleys Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards A region-wide celebration of Northland’s food, drinks and produce. A programme of more than 30 events from fine dining to beachside kai. savournorthland.com Friday 18 October

NZ International Wine Show Awards Night – Auckland The Trophy awards event for the 2024 NZ International Wine Show will be held at Auckland’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. nziws.co.nz Sunday 27 October

First Light Wine & Food Festival – Gisborne A celebration of Gisborne wine alongside local food and live music to be held across Matawhero and TW Wines. firstlightwineandfood.co.nz

The awards event run by The Fruit Wine and Cider Makers Association of New Zealand (FWCMA). Medals and Trophies will be awarded across a range of categories including Modern NZ Cider, Speciality Cider, Fruit Wine & Mead, Alcoholic Soft Drink, Kombucha/Hard Tea. cider.org.nz Saturday 2 November

New Zealand Cider Festival – Nelson The 8th annual NZ Cider Festival returns to Founders Heritage Park in Nelson.

Organisers say there will be more than 100 ciders on show, alongside mead, fruit wine, craft beer and local wine. nzciderfestival.com

New Zealand’s longest running regional competition will hold its awards dinner at Toitoi - Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre.

Owned and managed by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society, the awards identify, promote and celebrate excellence in wine making in the Hawke’s Bay region. hbap.co.nz/hawkes-bay-wine-awards Friday 15 to Sunday 17 November

Taste of Wairarapa A brand-new weekend festival event celebrating the wine and food of the Wairarapa region. wairarapawine.co.nz Saturday 23 November

Harvest Hawke’s Bay A wine and food festival celebrating local produce and pairing 18 wineries with nine eateries. Held in a riverside setting on Tuki Tuki Rd. harvesthawkesbay.com

SHOWCASE

Celebrating excellence with Super Liquor PORT DOUGLAS in Australia’s tropical North Queensland welcomed over 220 delegates from New Zealand for Super Liquor’s annual conference in September.

The theme of the 2024 Conference was ‘Ignite’. Over three days, franchisees, board members, suppliers and support office staff engaged in business partnering, and brand and strategy sessions, combined with a number of activities to celebrate another successful year.

A gala dinner held on the final night set the scene to announce the finalists and winners of Super Liquor’s annual awards, which recognise excellence across the business.

“The Awards are an important part of what we do,” said Morgan McCann, Super Liquor’s CEO. “Everyone involved in Super Liquor works hard throughout the year. The awards provide a platform to recognise top performing Super Liquor stores, individuals and supplier partners throughout New Zealand.”

The winners for two of the major award categories for Super Liquor 2024 were: Store of the Year: S uper Liquor Rangiora Store Manager of the Year: C ody Treanor – Super Liquor Motueka.

Find out more about opportunities with Super Liquor at superliquor.co.nz/contactus/ franchise-enquiry

‘Store of the Year’ Super Liquor Rangiora owner Stu McIntosh and Store Manager Coral Duke (both centre) with SLH Chairperson Bruce Longhurst (left) and Morgan McCann, SLH CEO (right).

‘Store Manager of the Year’ Cody Treanor of Super Liquor Motueka (centre) with Bruce Longhurst and Morgan McCann.

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 13

INDUSTRY NEWS

Young Vit and Young Winemaker named for 2024

CONGRATULATIONS TO Nina Downer from Felton Road in Central Otago who has become the 2024 Young Viticulturist of the Year and to Georgia Mehlhopt from Greystone in North Canterbury who is the 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year.

The two winners were announced at the Altogether Unique 2024 wine industry celebration at Te Papa on 29 August, following rigorous rounds of regional competitions and two national finals held during the same week.

The two talented young women were thrilled all their hard work over the years has paid off and they’ve taken out the prestigious titles. “I’m super stoked” says Nina. “I’m so excited for the future” says Georgia.

Katie Cameron from Ata Rangi placed second in the Young Winemaker national final. The other contestants were Nick Lamain from VinLink and Callum Scarborough from Felton Road.

Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands was the runner-up in the Young Viticulturist final, with Nick McArthur from Tiki Wines placing third. The other contestants were Joe Stenberg from Te Mata Estate, James Sutcliffe from Craggy Range and Leon Henson from Batch Winery.

“It’s exciting to see so many talented future leaders coming through in both winemaking and viticulture,” says Nicky Grandorge, Leadership & Communities Manager at New Zealand Winegrowers. “They are very ambitious, and their passion and enthusiasm rubs off on everyone involved with the programmes – it’s a really positive environment.”

Nicky, who is also the National Co-ordinator for NZ Women in Wine, adds: “It’s also really positive to see four young women take out the top two places in both competitions, highlighting the exciting career opportunities for both women and men in the wine industry.”

The national finals are a big step up from the qualifying regional finals and the competitors were tested on the wide range of skills and knowledge required to be an aspiring winemaker or viticulturist.

For the Young Winemakers this included the Constellation Brands Laboratory Section and the Indevin Wine Judging section, along with a presentation. They also delivered Fruitfed Supplies speeches at the Wine Business Forum in Wellington, focusing on how they envisaged the wine industry and their role as a winemaker in the year 2050.

Good luck to all contestants in this year's competitions 14 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

Nina Downer and Georgia Mehlhopt

The challenges for the Young Viticulturists included writing a biosecurity report and plan, setting up a trellising system, calibrating a seeder, sitting an interview and a general viti paper on soil, nutrition and pests and diseases. They also had to assess an unexpected mock incident to test their leadership skills under pressure, went head-to-head in the infamous BioStart Hortisports, then delivered speeches at the Celebration Dinner at Te Papa.

Nina Downer’s prize package includes a Ford Ranger for a year, a $6,000 Ecotrellis Travel Grant, a Leadership week and Infaco Electrocoup secateurs worth $3,000. Anna Kelland won best report and Nick McArthur won the Ecotrellis Best Trelliser and the BioStart Hortisports.

Georgia Mehlhopt’s prizes include a trip to Burgundy to visit the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage), a spot as an Associate Judge at the New World Wine Awards and an opportunity to review wines in Drinksbiz magazine.

Georgia also won the Constellation Brands Laboratory Section and the Indevin Wine Judging section. Nick Lamain won the best Fruitfed Supplies speech.

Fruitfed are also providing a field trip for all the Young Viticulturist and Winemaker finalists to upskill and reunite later in the year.

RICHARD BRIGGS

Two young women have topped the competitions to find future leaders in the New Zealand wine industry…

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SHOWCASE

The new DIAMOND Collection Discover designs inspired by luxury jewellery THE EXTRAORDINARY capacity of diamonds to reflect and refract light continues to amaze and inspire designers the world over.

As an ode to the expertise of the diamond maker, French specialist glass company Saverglass has adorned the base of the Antik Bordelaise with three original jewellery sets, inspired by precious gems.

Far from being figurative, these motifs, which reinterpret diamonds with their sharp angles and delicate reliefs, celebrate the art of transformation.

By visiting this legendary stone in a modern way, these three new creations

make the light dance on the sharp edges of the motifs, setting the bottles in the DIAMOND collection with infinite reflections.

Three beautiful creations

Recognisable by its low height (266 mm) and pronounced shoulder, Bordelaise ANTIK DIAMANTS is adorned here with motifs inspired by the most famous of jewels. This timeless, distinctive and unique new set brings a captivating new radiance to both antique and extra-white colours.

A series of raised squares randomly dot the base of Bordelaise ANTIK CARAT, creating a fascinating contrast with the smooth surface of the bottle. In both antique green and extra-white glass, this graphic frieze vibrates with the play of light and shadow, revealing the jewellike panache of this remarkable bottle.

Bordelaise ANTIK GLITTER recalls the sparkle and brilliance of a precious jewel.

It is adorned with a diamond pattern, the repetition of recessed and relief designs.

This architectural band has a strong visual impact, creating a play of textures

DIAMOND COLLECTION

that contrasts with the smooth surface of the bottle.

Available in antique and extra-white colours, this GLITTER version renews the instantly recognisable aura of this timeless model.

Explore the DIAMOND collection from Saverglass today.

Contact Saverglass in New Zealand on 09 522 2990. saverglass.com

TIMELESS CREATIONS INSPIRED BY LUXURY JEWELRY The extraordinary capacity of diamonds to reflect and refract light continues to amaze and inspire designers the world over. As an ode to the expertise of the diamond maker, Saverglass has adorned the base of the Antik Bordelaise with three original jewelry sets, inspired by precious gems.

Far from being figurative, these motifs, which reinterpret the points of the diamonds, with their sharp angles and delicate reliefs, celebrate the art of transformation. By visiting this legendary stone in a modern way, these three new creations make the light dance on the sharp edges of the motifs, setting the bottles in the DIAMOND collection with infinite reflections.

Saverglass (NZ) Limited | www.saverglass.com | Tel +64 9 522 2990

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Australia’s top spirits and distilleries recognised WINNERS IN Australia’s largest national spirits competition have been revealed at the 2024 Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, which recognises innovation and excellence in Australianmanufactured spirits, liqueurs, aromatics, vermouths and ready-to-serves.

This year’s competition drew more than 860 entries from over 220 exhibitors.

South Australia’s St Agnes Distillery won the title of Champion Australian Distiller, and Best Brandy.

Hailing as Australia’s oldest continually run craft distillery, St Agnes Distillery and Barrel Halls has been making artisan spirits since 1925.

Best Single Malt Whisky went to Kestrel by Bellarine Distillery (VIC), while Best Grain or Blended Whisky was won by Archie Rose Distilling Co. (NSW) for their Rye Malt Whisky.

Travelling While Standing Still (VIC) won Best London Dry Gin and Troppo Yuzu Gin by Northern Distilling (NT) won Best New World / Contemporary Gin. Hidden Trove Distilling (SA) won Best Cane Spirit for its Acre 96 Spiced Cane Spirit. The Awards’ newest category, Ready to Serve Cocktail or Pre-Mix, was won by Reed & Co Distillery (VIC) for their Yuzu Chu-Hai. See the full results at melbourneroyal.com.au/ spirits

Suntory calls first drinks at $400M Queensland site PRODUCTION HAS officially started at Suntory’s +$400 million multi-beverage manufacturing facility in Queensland. It marks a significant milestone in the global drinks company’s growth strategy, with its new $3 billion partnership, Suntory Oceania, set to launch from mid-2025.

The 17-hectare site will be the new manufacturing and distribution hub for the company’s multi-beverage portfolio of over 40 brands. It has the capacity to hold over 50,000 pallets of product, with a high-speed glass line and two canning lines that fill at an industry-leading speed of 180,000 cans per hour.

Australia’s number one energy drink, V Energy, was the first product off the line. By mid-2025, the facility will also produce Suntory’s iconic Ready-To-Drink (RTD) alcohol brands, including - 196, Canadian Club and Dry®, and Jim Beam and Cola®.

Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania CEO, Darren Fullerton, said it represents a pivotal moment for Suntory Oceania. “Full ownership of our supply chain will enable more capacity, more control and most importantly, more opportunity to innovate. With this new site we are well positioned to disrupt and ignite the category with our full multi-beverage offering.”

In addition to the RTD range, the ‘House of Suntory’ portfolio will be distributed from Queensland, including luxury whiskies Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki, alongside Roku Gin and Haku Vodka.

Suntory’s Queensland facility is set to officially open in mid2025 in line with the commencement of alcohol production and the Suntory Oceania partnership.

Pernod acquires minority stake in Hamilton’s Almave PERNOD RICARD has acquired a minority stake in Almave, a super-premium non-alc Blue Agave-based spirit brand, co-founded by seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Mexico-based innovation incubator Casa Lumbre, and advisory and investment firm Copper.

In announcing the news, Pernod Ricard said that Almave “perfectly satisfies the intersection between three accelerating global trends: tequila, non-alc products and the desire for authenticity”.

Almave was a passion project for Lewis Hamilton, who was seeking an authentic alcohol-free alternative to tequila. Almave is the first non-alcoholic Blue Agave spirit distilled in Jalisco (Mexico).

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 17

LEGAL NOTES

Pervinder Davies

Pervinder specialises in alcohol licensing law and is a director of Pervinder Davies Law in Christchurch. pervinderdavieslaw.co.nz

Ready for kick-off Pervinder Davies has some tips for sports venues when it comes to alcohol licensing compliance…

IN NEW Zealand, rugby fields and cricket pitches are part of life for thousands of Kiwis every week, and sports venues play a pivotal role in community life. But behind the cheers and the thrill of the game lies a crucial responsibility: ensuring alcohol licensing compliance. Here, I’ll take you through the journey of a sports venue manager, outlining what’s required for holding an alcohol licence specific to this environment.

involves filling out detailed forms, providing a floor plan of the venue, and outlining how he plans to manage alcohol sales responsibly. He also needs to ensure that all managers working at the club are certified and have completed the necessary training. This process might seem daunting, but it’s crucial for maintaining a safe and legal environment.

Kickoff: Understanding the basics

Once the licence is secured, Sam’s work is far from over. He must adhere to strict conditions, such as not selling alcohol to intoxicated individuals or anyone under 18. Certified managers must be on duty at all times when alcohol is being served, ensuring that the venue adheres to its licence conditions. Sam implements a robust Host Responsibility Policy, which includes offering food, non-alcoholic beverages, and information about alternative transport options. Regular staff training sessions are also held to ensure

Meet Sam, the manager of a bustling sports venue in Canterbury. Sam knows that to sell alcohol legally, he needs the right licence. In New Zealand, there are several types of licences: on-licence, offlicence, club licence, and special licence.

For Sam, a club licence is essential as it allows the sale of alcohol to club members and their guests on the premises.

The Game Plan: Applying for a licence

Sam’s first step is to apply for a club licence through his local council. This

The Playbook: Compliance and best practice

Whether you’re managing a small local club or a large stadium, remember that compliance is key.

18 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

everyone is up-to-date with the latest regulations and best practices.

The Final Whistle: Monitoring and enforcement

To keep everything running smoothly, Sam conducts regular compliance checks and maintains detailed records of incidents and staff certifications. He knows that non-compliance can lead to hefty fines or even the loss of the licence. By staying vigilant and proactive, Sam ensures that his venue remains a safe and enjoyable place for all.

Extra Time: Special events

For special events, like a local rugby final, Sam applies for a special licence.

This allows him to cater to a larger crowd while still adhering to the law.

He collaborates with local authorities to develop a bespoke event management plan, ensuring that everything runs without a hitch. He seeks expert advice (Pervinder Davies Law can help here) and follows this to achieve a successful outcome.

Conclusion: A winning strategy

Through careful planning and adherence to regulations, Sam successfully manages his sports venue, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for fans – staying on the right side of the law while keeping the good times rolling.

Whether you’re managing a small local club or a large stadium, remember that compliance is key. With the right knowledge, expert advice, and preparation, you can navigate the complexities of alcohol licensing and create a winning experience for everyone.

Cheers to that!

Distributed by Federal Merchants & Co

NON-ALCOHOLIC NEWS

New from NON NEW TO the range of NON non-alcoholic wine is NON 2 Caramelised Pear and Kombu. Distributor Cook & Nelson will have the new flavour available from mid-October.

NON 2 is described as: “Effervescent with caramelised pear, vanilla spice, kombu, and honeyed fruit. Beautifully round and refreshingly balanced.” Suggested food pairings include soft cheese, barbecue pork and other roasted meats.

The hand-crafted 0.0% ABV beverages were the creation of Australian Aaron Trotman. An avid foodie and traveller, he took inspiration from the non-alcoholic pairings served to him and sober partner Miranda while dining at Michelin-star restaurants in Europe and Asia.

Today, NON is stocked in 500 of the best bars and restaurants across Australasia, UK and the United States including the French Laundry (USA) and the Fat Duck (UK).

Working with ingredients more often found in restaurant kitchens and techniques from both the culinary and viticultural worlds, a purpose-built lab in Melbourne is where the NON R&D team roast, toast, stew, sous vide, macerate, steep and brew their ingredients in a unique production process that is markedly different from traditional non-alc manufacturing.

NON’s wine alternatives are alcohol-free, gluten-free, certified vegan and halal.

NON 2 - Caramelised Pear and Kombu, 750ml RRP $39.99 Cook & Nelson

Seasn 0.0% cocktail bitters arrive in NZ BEN BRANSON, the founder of groundbreaking non-alcoholic spirit Seedlip, has launched a pair of 0.0% ABV cocktail bitters, which are available to order through Cook & Nelson.

Branson spent six years experimenting with over 80 herbs and spices to create Seasn: two intense, flavourful liquids in Light and Dark expressions, designed to transform alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, tonic water or sodas with just a few dashes.

Seasn represents the idea of seasoning drinks in the same way as seasoning food. They are the first products from Ben’s new, first-ofits-kind non-alcoholic venture studio: Pollen Projects.

Seasn Light has notes of fresh-cut grass, lime and grapefruit peel, clean bitterness from the Andrographis paniculata plant (also known as the king of bitters) and saltiness from kombu and sea salt. It’s designed for lighter drinks like Margaritas, G&Ts or a Martini.

Seasn Dark is rich and spicy with aromatic flavours of kola nut, smoked cherrywood, star anise and cinnamon, with bitterness derived from the king of bitters plant, black pepper, mushroom and cocoa. It’s ideal for darker drinks like ginger ale, whisky soda or Old Fashioneds.

Made with all natural ingredients, Seasn is vegan, sugar-free and allergen-free. With three dashes recommended per serving, each bottle produces 50 drinks.

Available from mid-October.

Cook & Nelson

Stay up-to-date at drinksbiz.co.nz Visit drinksbiz.co.nz for all the latest drinks industry and products news. Sign up to our e-newsletter for the latest updates direct to your inbox every fortnight.

20 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

RTD NEWS

Slight Twist offers craft brewed cocktails KIWI DRINKS company, Beach Booch, has launched a new premium craftbrewed cocktail range that uses only natural ingredients and craft fermentation methods and can be ranged in supermarkets.

Co-owners Alistair Kirk and George Wielechowski say the Slight Twist range (5.8% ABV) is designed to meet the flavour and ‘go-low’ expectations of today’s consumers. It features four classic cocktail-inspired flavours: Ginger Margarita, Citrus Spritz, Mai Tai, and Cherry Sling. All four are low-sugar, lowcarb, vegan and gluten-free.

“We’ve used naturally brewed alcohol rather than distilled spirits and real ingredients rather than artificial flavourings, extracts, preservatives and lab-grown sweeteners,” says George.

“This has allowed us to deliver all the flavour, kick and low-calorie composition

that we know consumers want, but in a drink that will be kinder on the body.”

Being craft-brewed means consumers can find the 250ml can four-packs in their local supermarket.

Slight Twist Brewing Co.

New Good George Whisky Sour

Scapegrace launches Malt Whisky Highball SCAPEGRACE DISTILLING Co. has launched a limited release of single malt whisky highball RTDs in two flavours.

The brand took inspiration from the streets of Tokyo for the drinks, working with local bartenders from Japan’s most influential cocktail bars.

“The new world whisky movement is really strong, and this trend is influenced by bringing consumers into the emerging category via simple, refreshing cocktails,” said Scapegrace Co-Founder Mark Neal.

As with Scapegrace’s Gin and Vodka RTDs, the brand uses 100% handcrafted distilled spirits for their RTDs.

The Highball RTDs are available in Scapegrace Single Malt & Smoked Cola, and Scapegrace Single Malt, Soda with Lemon & Mint.

Both products use spirit made with locally grown barley from Christchurch and aged in virgin French oak barrels, for a minimum of three years.

“We are using the same superpremium Single Malt Whisky from our luxury spirits portfolio,” says Mark. “This new Highball chapter is an exciting way to introduce people to our new world whisky movement.”

THE TEAM at Good George have added a new cocktail to their growing line-up with a Whisky Sour in 700ml format.

It’s made with Good George’s own 5-yearold NZ Single Malt whisky (crafted in its hometown of Hamilton) and is ready to pour over ice.

It has a bright and tangy aroma of fresh lemon juice with a hint of sweetness, and flavours of refreshing lemon with complex caramel, vanilla, and oak from the whisky, and a lingering zesty finish.

Good George Whisky Sour (17% ABV), 700ml RRP $49 Good George

Hancocks DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 21

FEATURE – TRENDS REPORT

Trends Report Check out the latest trends in on-premise activity and consumer payment…

TRENDS FOR NZ ON-PREMISE THE LATEST insights from CGA by NIQ’s New Zealand OPUS H1 Survey shed light on the current state of the New Zealand On-Premise and its evolving dynamics, signposting the key trends that industry stakeholders will need to be aware of to stay ahead of competitors in market.

It found a noticeable shift in consumer visitation patterns, with rising living costs and inflation exerting financial pressure.

Consumers are reducing the frequency of their visits, with a -14pp drop in drinkled occasions over the past 12 months between June 2023 and June 2024.

Food-led visits have remained steady, with a modest +1pp year-on-year increase.

Despite these fluctuations, the overall visitation rate has stabilised, with three quarters (76%) of consumers maintaining their monthly visits, though a quarter (24%) report visiting less frequently. This data demonstrates the need for brands, suppliers, and operators to adjust their strategies to facilitate varying consumer behaviour, including: Shifting dayparts - The rise of earlier visits

One of the most striking trends is the shift in visitation times. Early evenings continue to dominate footfall. Yet there are clear 22 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

signs earlier dayparts are increasingly in favour. In April 2024, early evening visits (5pm-8pm) declined by -3pp compared with the previous year, while lunch (+2pp) and mid-afternoon (+2pp) visits saw slight uplifts.

This trend is particularly evident in high-tempo drink occasions, which are moving from late-night slots to earlier times. For instance, high-tempo drinks during daytime hours (before 5pm) have increased by +5pp, while late evening visits (after 8pm) have reduced by -7pp.

Understanding these shifts is crucial for drinks brands, suppliers and venue operators looking to optimise their offerings and capitalise on these new visitation patterns.

Generation gaps - Millennials drive growth amidst declining Gen Z visitation

Generational differences are playing a significant role. Gen Z consumers are struggling to maintain their visitation rates, with a decline of -8pp in weekly visits compared to the previous year. By contrast, 41% of millennials are going out weekly (+6pp).

Boomers continue to display a consistent preference for wine when

visiting the On Premise, emerging as a valuable demographic for wine suppliers.

RTDs - A growing opportunity

Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages continue to gain traction within the New Zealand On Premise, particularly among younger visitors. Over two in five (41%) of consumers are now frequently drinking RTDs, and awareness of draught/tap RTDs is spreading.

For all these reasons, efficient distribution, plus conversion of awareness to consumption, are worth investing in for suppliers aiming to optimise this trend.

“It’s more critical than ever during times of economic uncertainty for drinks suppliers and operators to really understand how these pressures are re-shaping consumer behaviour,” said Tom Graham, Customer Success – ANZ said. “The ability to adapt to shifting visitation patterns, dayparts, and generational preferences are pivotal for thriving amidst fluctuating dynamics.

Those who can anticipate and respond to these trends will be best positioned to succeed in the coming months.”

For more insights visit nielseniq.com/ global/en/insights

FEATURE – TRENDS REPORT

MORE KIWIS CHANGE HOW THEY PAY

Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages continue to gain traction within the New Zealand On Premise, particularly among younger visitors.

A NEW global report from Xero has revealed a shift in how Kiwi consumers are making payments and the barriers for small businesses in adapting.

The report ‘I want to pay that way’ surveyed over 6,000 adults aged 18 and over and more than 2,500 small business leaders across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

It examined consumer payment habits, the types of payment methods small businesses use and offer, and attitudes towards future and emerging payment trends.

The findings highlight a global trend for small businesses reporting expensive fees (33%) and security concerns (30%) as the top barriers that prevent them from offering their customers new or different payment methods.

In New Zealand, the report says that a quarter of consumers now use Apple Pay or Google Pay to make payments, with younger generations leading the way. It’s the first choice for 48% of Gen Z consumers, compared with 28% of millennials, 17% of Gen X and 11% of Baby Boomers.

However, only 17% of small New Zealand businesses offer Apple Pay and/or Google Pay to their customers.

Cash is one of the least used methods with only 8% of Kiwis having cash readily on them to pay in store.

Bridget Snelling, Aotearoa New Zealand Country Manager at Xero, says it’s essential for Kiwi small businesses to consider digitalisation options when it comes to customer payment methods.

“Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of embracing innovative payment solutions, starting with the introduction of EFTPOS, which made us an early leader in digital payments. As technology continues to evolve and convenience remains king, it’s important we continue to progress in this direction.”

The report also showed that just one-third (39%) of Kiwi small businesses had adopted a new payment method in the last 6 - 12 months, while 87% of Kiwi small business owners say there is a barrier preventing them from offering new/different payment methods to their customers.

Expensive fees limited almost onethird (32%) of Kiwi small businesses from embracing new payment methods, while a quarter either see no clear advantages (28%) or believe it’s too complex/timeconsuming to set up (26%).

Find the full report at xero.com/nz/ campaign/i-want-to-pay-that-way

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 23

WINE REPORT – AROMATIC WHITES

Add some spring delight to your shelves and drinks lists with aromatic white wines for the new season, as selected by Joelle Thomson…

24 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

WINE REPORT – AROMATIC WHITES

RRP $17 – $29.99

2023 Whitehaven Marlborough Riesling

2024 ME by Matahiwi Pinot Gris

RRP $24.99 Whitehaven

RRP $17.99 Matahiwi Estate Dry, light-bodied and crisp, this Pinot Gris is an incredibly youthful example of a 2024 wine made from grapes grown on two vineyards in the Wairarapa. This blend is a crisp, light take on Pinot Gris and will mellow over the next year. It drinks well now on a sunny day and also as a refreshing light wine with spicy food.

2023 Matahiwi Estate Wairarapa Pinot Gris

RRP $19.99 Matahiwi Estate An excellent dry white made from a regionwide blend of grapes grown in the Wairarapa.

Fermentation at cool temperatures preserves fruit-forward flavours of ripe pears, a hint of rose petals and white peach. It is fruity but also dry in style with 5.9 grams RS per litre. Very good value for money for drinking now and over the next two to three years.

A dry Riesling from Marlborough with flavours of lemongrass, lime zest and a hint of honey, all layered in a complex, youthful and exceptionally appealing wine. It will evolve beautifully, unfolding further flavours, over the next five to six years; longer for those who love drinking aged Riesling.

2023 Main Divide Riesling

Spy Valley Riesling has flavour to burn and time up its sleeve thanks to naturally high acidity, which balances the powerful aromas and flavours of juicy lemon and lime in this wine.

It is medium-dry so makes a lovely partner for panfried fresh fish. It was made with grapes grown on stony soils on Johnson Estate in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley.

RRP $24.99 Wine2Trade Liquid Geography is a rich style of North Canterbury Riesling. Power-packed tropical and ripe citrus aromas lead into a mediumbodied, medium-sweet style of wine with great balanced acidity that gives a crisp, dry-ish finish to each sip. The name captures the essence of every winemaker’s aim: to translate the geography of their vineyard in liquid form in the wine glass. This wine is certified organic.

RRP $24.99 EuroVintage

2024 Spy Valley Marlborough Gewürztraminer

Main Divide Riesling is North Canterbury’s best-value Riesling, hands down. Lush, fleshy and textural, it has intensely powerful ripe mandarin aromas, luscious lemon zest flavours and the ability to age for seven to eight years plus. This is New Zealand’s most consistently delicious Riesling under $25 every year.

RRP $24.99 Red + White Cellar This dry expression of Gewürztraminer has crisp and refreshing flavours of tropical fruit such as pineapple and lychees. It is mediumbodied with a lingering finish that captures intensity and freshness, giving it great balance. The wine is made from grapes grown on Johnson Estate in the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough.

2023 Leefield Station Ridgeline Riesling

2023 Spy Valley Marlborough Riesling

RRP $24.99 Red + White Cellar

2023 Terrace Edge Liquid Geography

2024 Spy Valley Marlborough Gewürztraminer has crisp and refreshing flavours of tropical fruit such as pineapple and lychees.

RRP $25 Marisco A dry, light-bodied Riesling with flavours of lemon, lime and peach, underpinned by firm acidity that adds length and depth of flavour to every sip. This wine drinks well now and has excellent ageing potential of four to five years.

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 25

WINE REPORT – AROMATIC WHITES

2023 Leefield Station Gatherer Gewürztraminer

RRP $25 Marisco This Gewürztraminer has beautiful aromatic purity with notes of Turkish delight, lychees and red roses in a fleshy, textural and dry-ish wine. A tingle of acidity adds length of flavour and freshness, which brings balance to the lushness of Gewürztraminer.

Aromas of warm hay in the sunshine, white honey, lemon and floral notes all intermingle in the 2024 Forrest Chenin Blanc.

2021 Astrolabe Marlborough Albariño

RRP $26.99 Astrolabe This tangy dry white is made from one of the best grape varieties in the world to drink with seafood of any kind or simply with warm green olives. Albariño is the grape and it’s a relative newcomer to New Zealand’s cool maritime climate. Warm days and cool nights preserve its fresh fruit flavours, crisp acidity and firm body.

This wine, made from a vineyard at Kekerengu, a coastal site south of Blenheim, is an excellent example.

2023 Sheild Nelson Albariño

RRP $26.99 Blanc Nelson winemaker Trudy Sheild loves Albariño for its punchy freshness and layers of flavour, which come through as lemony, tangy and even slightly salty. This lovely medium-bodied wine is from a small, sheltered vineyard in the Upper Moutere hills of Nelson, where cool nights preserve the acidity that drives the lemon juice aromas and tangy olive flavours. It has a long zesty finish.

26 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

2020 Settlement Ashmore Riesling

RRP $27.99 Settlement Wines Ashmore Vineyard is an outstanding organically-certified site on a sloping hillside in Marlborough and is home to the grapes that go into this succulent dry Riesling, which contains 12.6 grams RS. This technically makes the wine off-dry, but the firm structure that high acidity brings to the intense citrus flavours in this wine provides a sense of dryness. This accentuates the deep flavours of lime, fresh green apple and aromas of white honey, jasmine and fennel. A beautiful Riesling to drink now and can be cellared with confidence for up to 10 years.

2024 Forrest Chenin Blanc

RRP $28 Forrest Chenin Blanc is the great white grape of the Loire Valley in Central France and is a passion of John and Beth Forrest, the father-daughter winemaking team at Forrest in Marlborough.

Aromas of warm hay in the sunshine, white honey, lemon and floral notes all intermingle in this complex, dry Chenin Blanc which contains 8.2 grams of RS.

2024 Forrest Albariño

RRP $28 Forrest Cool, dry, tangy and delicious. Albariño, originally from Portugal and Spain, is now also thriving in New Zealand thanks to winemaker Beth Forrest, who was smitten by the mouthwatering Albariños she tasted when working harvest in Spain many years ago.

This wine is an excellent example of why Albariño works well in New Zealand with its fruity aromas of apricots, orange zest and fresh white pears, underpinned by great acidity and length.

RRP $30 – $39.99 2024 Urlar Gladstone Dry Riesling

RRP $30 Negociants This wine is dry, youthful, and begging for at least two to three years of ageing in a cool, dark space where it will evolve from being a bracingly fresh Riesling into a layered, medium-bodied wine. It tastes like biting into a crunchy, fresh Granny Smith apple now, and reveals layers of citrus flavour every day it remains open.

2022 Martin Codax Albariño Spain

RRP $31.99 Vintners Here is an Albariño with flavour to burn, zingy balance, and a medium body. Its tangy aromas of lemon and green olives and salty character all shine. This wine comes from the Val do Salnés (Salnés Valley) in north-west Spain, which is the most important subzone in Rías Baixas DO – one of the traditional homes of the Albariño grape. The region’s maritime climate and the proximity of vineyards to the coast are thought to capture a noticeable salinity in wines made from Albariño, which predominates in this region.

WINE REPORT – AROMATIC WHITES

2023 Nautilus Marlborough Albariño

2022 Te Kano Riesling Otago

RRP $31.99 Negociants

RRP $33 Te Kano Estate

This is a commanding wine made by Clive Jones at Nautilus Estate in Marlborough. Its high acidity and tangy, salty, lemon flavours make it taste bone dry, while brief ageing on yeast lees adds depth and smoothness. This wine captures all that is great about Albariño.

It drinks well now but can age superbly for five to six years.

This Riesling has an incredible burst of fruit purity and freshness with 10% alcohol and impressive flavours of lemon, ripe peach and lime zest, all balanced by bold acidity. It drinks well now and can evolve further for up to 10 years. Te Kano means “the seed” and reflects the winery owners’ commitment to rejuvenating their land with native plantings.

2024 Palliser Estate Riesling

2022 Misha’s Vineyard Lyric Pinot Gris

Hand-picked grapes grown on the organicallycertified 27-year-old Ashmore Vineyard in the Brancott Valley shine in this citrusy, medium-bodied Riesling. It was made with a combination of 50/50 stainless steel and old French barrels for fermentation and this underpins this exciting wine’s textural style, retaining fruit freshness and building in weight and depth to a long finish.

RRP $32 Negociants

RRP $34 Negociants

2022 Misha’s Vineyard Lyric Riesling

Palliser Estate Riesling from Martinborough has a long history of superb ageing, as well as tasting fresh as a daisy when it is young and vibrant, as this new release shows. Dry, light-bodied and complex (RS 5.2 grams per litre), it has layers of aromatic lime, green apple and white pear. Cool fermentation preserves its citrus aromas and vibrancy. It will reward ageing for up to 10 years.

Central Otago has always captured the minds and palates of Pinot Gris lovers in Aotearoa New Zealand and this wine, from a sloping hillside vineyard in Bendigo, proves the point.

Winemaker Olly Masters fermented 57% of the grapes in stainless steel at cool temperatures to retain fruit freshness (white pear and white peach) with the balance fermented in old French hogshead barrels (43%) with indigenous yeasts. The result is a wine of textural depth and a medium body in a dry style with 3.4 grams RS per litre.

2023 Dicey Bannockburn Riesling

RRP $32 Red + White Cellars Central Otago Riesling is one of the great unsung heroes of the deep south, as this succulent, citrus-driven wine shows. Brothers James (viticulturist) and Matt (self-described ‘caretaker’ – aka winemaker) use indigenous yeasts for fermentation at cool temperatures to retain floral and stone fruit aromas. The result is a wine with layers of lemon, lime, fennel and floral, all captured in a succulent medium-dry style with great balancing acidity.

2023 Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris

2023 Greywacke Marlborough Riesling

RRP $34.99 Negociants

RRP $35 Negociants This outstanding wine is the most Germanic of all Rieslings tasted for this year’s Aromatic wine report and is made entirely from hand-picked grapes that were whole bunch pressed to capture the purity that epitomises great Rieslings. Most of the grapes (69%) were cool fermented to dryness (4.1 grams RS per litre) and layers of lovely lime juice flavour shine through in a wine of depth, while the remaining 31% were fermented with wild yeasts in older French oak barrels.

Dry with a delicious lightness and lingering flavoursome finish.

RRP $34.99 Negociants The Judd winemaking family make this rich, textural, full-bodied Pinot Gris using barrel fermentation to build smooth, textural qualities into the wine while retaining flavours of pear and white peach. This complex Pinot Gris is a fab pairing for roasted vegetable dishes, roast chicken or pork. It drinks well now and will evolve favourably over the next four to five years.

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 27

WINE REPORT – AROMATIC WHITES

2023 Topé Clare Valley Riesling

RRP $40 and above

RRP $35 Stone Pony This outstanding dry Riesling from the Clare Valley in Australia is part of a relatively new range from wine professionals and friends Tom Kreigshauser and Peter Warr. Topé is a combo of their first names and this is a succulent wine with aromas of ripe mandarin, orange and grapefruit. It is youthful with powerful acidity driving length and longevity. It drinks well now and can age for at least 10 years.

2022 Valli Waitaki Vineyard Riesling North Otago

RRP $39 Great Little Vineyards This is an intensely aromatic cool climate wine with 9.5% alcohol. This makes it medium sweet, but thanks to its medium body, bold acidity and concentrated citrusy aromas, it finishes on a crisp dry-ish note. Flavours in this lively young Riesling are of ripe mandarin and tropical lime juice in a succulent wine with a refreshingly long finish. A lovely drink now and will reward ageing for at least 10 years.

2023 Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling

RRP $42 EuroVintage This exceptional dry Riesling won first place in this year’s Judgement of London, a wine competition inspired by a famous blind tasting held in the 70s and judged by a 21-strong panel comprising mostly Masters of Wine or Master Sommeliers. It pits the best wines of Europe against those from the rest of the world and Bel Canto was named Top Scoring White and Top Scoring Overall Wine. It is made from hand-picked grapes with a noticeable proportion of late harvest fruit concentration, which shows here in aromas of ripe mandarin, lime zest, peach and nectarine, with a hint of honey and incredible purity of flavour. An outstanding wine with beautiful balance, great flavour now and the ability to age for at least 10 years. It is consistently fabulous and contains approximately 5 grams RS.

2023 Urlar Gladstone Viognier

RRP $45 Negociants An impressive full-bodied, dry white wine made from Viognier grapes grown on the Cliffs and Gladstone vineyards in central Wairarapa.

This fleshy, richly textural white gains its fruit flavours of peach skin and vibrant apricot notes from 70% stainless steel fermentation with firm acidity adding balance. The remaining 30% of the wine was fermented in older oak to accentuate its body and fleshy flavours.

2023 Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Riesling

RRP $49.99 Taylor Brown Pristine and pure with youth on its side, this Riesling begs to be cellared for at least five to six years, which will allow its tight citrus aromas to unfold into ripe intense lemon flavours. Winemaker Adam Eggins has captured all this in a dry, fresh wine with aromas of white flowers leading into crisp, fresh apple notes underpinned by balanced acidity.

Excellent now and even better with 10 years of age or longer.

2023 Valli Waitaki Vineyard Pinot Gris North Otago

RRP $39 Great Little Vineyards Waitaki Valley is the smallest wine region in Aotearoa with fewer than 50 hectares of grapes that typically make high quality wines in low volumes. This light-bodied, lightly aromatic wine is dry with RS of less than two grams per litre, which is well balanced by refreshing aromas of white pear and white peach. A wine that drinks well now and will mellow over the next four to five years.

2023 Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling won first place in this year’s Judgement of London – a wine competition that pits Europe’s best wines against those from the rest of the world.

For distributor contacts see the Distributor Index on page 102.

28 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

OPINION – WINE

Joelle Thomson

Journalist, wine writer and author joellethomson.com

Great Southern Land A medley of quirky and downright difficult grapes are thriving in Australia, as Joelle Thomson discovers…

AUSTRALIAN WINE often reminds me of one of Aesop’s famous fables, which tells the story of all the birds in the world competing to see who has the most impressive plumage and will be chosen to be king of them all.

It’s a powerful illustration of the breathtaking variety in Mother Nature’s kingdom and calls to mind the sheer range of grape varieties that are pressed into service to make wine (over 1,000 at last count).

This year, I was reminded again of the growing number of quirky, relatively unknown, and some downright demandingly difficult grapes that all seem to be doing rather nicely in Australia.

Everything from Albariño and Tempranillo (Spanish) to Assyrtiko (Greek), and Italy’s Aglianico, Fiano, Sagrantino, Sangiovese and Vermentino are currently growing in Australia and being used to produce an incredible variety of interesting wines.

The reason these grapes grow well in many of Australia’s wine regions is due to the Mediterranean-style climate.

Abundant heat and low rainfall create relatively reliable vintages from one year to the next, making for favourable growing conditions.

A tasting with Corey Ryan of the Barossa Valley winery, Sons of Eden, revealed even more strings to the Aussie wine bow this year when he pulled out a velvety smooth Montepulciano, followed by a gutsy Sagrantino, and then (under a different brand but still made by him) a high-quality magnum of Nero d’Avola. These grape varieties all originate in Italy and are rapidly finding their feet in Australia.

30 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

Corey was a pilot when he decided that studying microbiology would be more fun, and since it led to a career in wine, he was clearly onto something.

He’s best known on this side of the Tasman as the former chief winemaker at Villa Maria (2002-2009) and has created Sons of Eden wines with viticulturist and friend Simon Cowham. The pair have since pioneered off-beat European red grape varieties as well as innovative packaging and a refreshingly hands-off approach to Shiraz, that most Australian of reds.

Everything from Albariño and Tempranillo (Spanish) to Assyrtiko (Greek), and Italy’s Aglianico, Fiano, Sagrantino, Sangiovese and Vermentino are currently growing in Australia.

The latter is drop-dead drinkably good, possibly too much so. Its packaging is fashioned on the traditional Italian strawclad ‘fiasco’, only better-looking. This wine speaks of warm climates and the need for purity ahead of oak influence. Corey respects the grape varieties in the wines he and Cowham produce, accentuating fruit flavours ahead of winemaking influence. It is easy to love the results.

Australia certainly has the climate to champion these great Euro grape varieties and its best producers are sympathetic to the grapes – rather than trying to make copycat styles. As the King of the Birds fable reminds us, variety is truly the spice of life.

Try this: 2019 Sons of Eden Cirrus Riesling

RRP $35 Stone Pony Wines

Of the wines tasted with him this year, there are too many impressive drops to name them all, but the following trio is worth tracking down: the bright and smooth 2019 Sons of Eden Cirrus Riesling; the 2022 Sons of Eden Notus Grenache (made from 100-year-old vines and aged in 500 litre puncheons for nine months) and the magnum of Wine Basket Nero d’Avola.

Aussie Riesling is dry. That is the house style. This is an exceptional example with intense lime juice flavours in a dry white (residual sugar less than 2 grams per litre). The grapes were fermented with wild yeasts and aged for six months on yeast lees in tank, which imbues this wine with flesh and palate weight. Beautiful to drink now and a keeper for at least five years.

FRANCE AT ITS BEST

www.lavieilleferme.com

NEW RELEASES

Top Picks Rich reds and fresh Chardonnays are on offer for spring with these new releases selected by Joelle Thomson…

2021 Sons of Eden Romulus Old Vine Shiraz

2021 Sons of Eden Remus Old Vine Shiraz

RRP $79.99 Stone Pony Wines

RRP $79.99 Stone Pony Wines

Romulus and Remus are two outstanding, full-bodied spicy reds from South Australia. The wines are named for two legendary brothers – the fabled founders of Rome. Winemaker Corey Ryan has crafted Romulus, the richer of the two wines, from century-old vines in the Barossa Valley. It has dark fruit flavours and spicy aromas of cloves, cardamom and a hint of pepper intertwined in a complex red with lingering flavours on the finish. Drinks beautifully now and will reward long ageing of 15 years plus.

The sibling wine to Romulus, Remus is made from 100-year-old vines grown in the Eden Valley, with the grapes harvested up to four weeks later. Concentrated aromas of blue fruit coupled with liquorice aromas and hints of spice all intermingle in this full-bodied, elegant Shiraz. It tastes lovely now and has the power to last the distance; at least 15 years of ageing will see this wine evolve fascinatingly.

2023 Wild Earth Chardonnay

2021 Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Chardonnay

RRP $35 Wild Earth Wines This is a creamy, textured Chardonnay layered with crisp acidity and deep lemon aromas.

A full-bodied wine with great balance, it was made with hand-picked grapes grown on the Highgrange Vineyard in Pisa, Central Otago.

A modest 5% new oak supports the structure of this impressive Chardonnay in a beautifully balanced style.

RRP $35 Taylor Brown A beautiful new Australian Chardonnay offering fresh citrusy flavours that permeate the character of the wine, along with high quality French oak. This wine spent 12 to 14 months in Burgundian oak, which comes through in spicy cedar characters and adds beautiful architecture. Drinks superbly now and can age for up to a decade.

Sons of Eden Romulus and Remus Old Vine Shiraz are two outstanding, fullbodied spicy reds from South Australia.

Winebasket Nero d’Avola

RRP $89.99 Stone Pony Wines Three of my favourite things combine in this two-litre bottle of red, which is a modern take on the traditional Italian ‘fiasco’ (a rounded wine bottle partially covered with a straw basket at its base). The first is the wine itself: Nero d’Avola, a juicy, smooth, succulent wine made from the most popular red grape in Sicily; the second is the two-litre format because it saves on recycling; and the third is the stylish update on an Italian classic. This is a limitededition wine and the quality is excellent.

For distributor contacts see the Distributor Index on page 102.

32 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

WINE NEWS

Mumm releases Central Otago Pinot Noir MUMM HAS released its first still wine in the Mumm Terroirs collection: the Mumm Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021.

It follows the launch of the sparkling Mumm Central Otago Blanc de Noirs NV in 2023.

The Mumm Terroirs collection celebrates prestigious wine regions known for producing exceptional pinot noir.

Each of the sparkling and fine wines in the series celebrate a region’s “true sense of place and unique terroir” including Northern Tasmania, Marlborough, Central Otago, and Napa, California.

The Mumm Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 is made from 100% hand-harvested Pinot Noir grapes from the Lowburn sub-region and matured for 16 months in French oak.

New Zealand Mumm Chief Winemaker Jamie Marfell said: “We’ve long worked alongside grape growers in the subregions to recognise the best vineyard

and sites and the 2021 vintage provided us with excellent conditions and fruit to produce this wine. Creating a fine wine rather than a sparkling wine, speaks to the pioneering and innovative nature of this collection, which is dedicated to showcasing Pinot Noir at its pinnacle of quality in the bottle.”

Pernod Ricard

SHOWCASE

Embrace the charm of “The Chicken Wine” - La Vieille Ferme Rosé LA VIEILLE Ferme Rosé, affectionately dubbed “The Chicken Wine,” has become a beloved staple in the world of French wines.

Produced by the esteemed Famille Perrin, one of the Rhône Valley’s most respected winemakers, this wine masterfully blends tradition, quality, and a touch of whimsy.

The Perrin family’s dedication to crafting wines that are both delicious and accessible is evident in La Vieille Ferme Rosé. The iconic chicken label has become synonymous with the wine’s identity, adding a playful touch to its already impressive reputation.

Beyond its charming label, La Vieille Ferme Rosé is a beautiful expression of the Rhône Valley’s terroir. It offers a refreshing blend of fruit-forward flavours and crisp acidity, with notes of wild strawberries, delicate flowers, and a hint of citrus. It’s the perfect companion for any occasion – whether it’s a summer picnic, a casual dinner, or simply unwinding after a long day.

What truly sets La Vieille Ferme Rosé apart is its incredible value. Despite its affordable price, the wine does not compromise on quality. The Perrin family’s commitment to sustainable viticulture and meticulous winemaking ensures that each bottle is crafted with the same care as their more prestigious offerings.

Next time you’re recommending a bottle of wine, let La Vieille Ferme Rosé bring a touch of French charm and joy to your customers. After all, it’s not just any Rosé – it’s “The Chicken Wine.”

Beyond its charming label, La Vieille Ferme Rosé is a beautiful expression of the Rhône Valley’s terroir.

For wholesale inquiries contact Vintners NZ 0800 687 9463 support@vintners.co.nz vintners.nz

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 33

WINE NEWS

Kinross wins inaugural Qualmark NZ Wine Tourism Award CENTRAL OTAGO’S Kinross has been named the first-ever recipient of the 2024 Qualmark New Zealand Wine Tourism Award. The award recognises the significant role that wine tourism plays in New Zealand’s visitor economy.

The award gives special attention to vineyards that offer sustainable tourism experiences and consider their impact on the environment and people.

The judges were particularly impressed by the specific ways Kinross has improved its tourism and hospitality offerings, including engaging cultural advisors to craft tailored experiences that cater to a range of diverse markets, including Asian and American guests, and providing comprehensive disabled access across all venues, including accommodation rooms.

They have adopted Destination Queenstown’s 2030 carbon zero goal to support their sustainability commitments and their dedication to staff wellbeing was clear through providing free staff lunches, leadership development and a life skills training programme.

The Landing Wine from the Bay of Islands and Wrights Vineyard and Winery from Gisborne were also finalists.

Charlotte Read, GM Brand of New Zealand Winegrowers, stressed the significance of this award in the current landscape.

“It’s an exciting time for wine tourism here in New Zealand. With modernised legislation recently passed that now allows more wineries to offer the wine tourism experiences our guests expect, the future is bright. New Zealand Winegrowers and Qualmark share a strong alignment in celebrating excellence and supporting continuous improvement in wine tourism.”

As part of their award, Kinross will receive a complimentary one-year Qualmark membership, a Tourism New Zealand press media kit featuring their profile to be shared with all Tourism New Zealand offshore markets, and a feature post on Tourism New Zealand’s social media channels, highlighting their food and wine offerings.

SHOWCASE

Live in the moment with Tohu Rewa

Tohu winemaker Lloyd Howe

A STUNNING new brand campaign is putting Tohu Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle wines in the spotlight for Spring/ Summer 2024.

Inspired by the spirit of “matawā” – to “live in the moment” – the new campaign shows Tohu Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle wines as the perfect choice for capturing the feeling of celebration in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Tohu Rewa story

The range is named after New Zealand’s native honeysuckle tree, the rewarewa. In te reo Māori, “rewa” means to float or elevate, just like the bubbles in the wines.

Winemaker Lloyd Howe’s love of sparkling wine has shaped Tohu’s winemaking philosophy and aspirations. To capture glimmering chapters in time, the Tohu Rewa wines honour a single vintage, single varietal and a single region.

It is this dedication to time and craft that creates the complexity and structure that sets Tohu Rewa apart.

The Tohu Rewa range Tohu Rewa Rosé Méthode Traditionnelle

Crafted using 100% Pinot Noir grapes from the Awatere Valley, this wine is aged in the bottle for 50 months on lees.

A delicate salmon pink in the glass, it’s complex yet elegant and displays fresh strawberry, hints of ripe stonefruit and underlying notes of brioche and toasted hazelnut.

Tohu Blanc de Blancs Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle

Crafted using 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Awatere Valley, this wine is aged in bottle for 74 months on lees. A dry-style complex sparkling wine with elegant bready/brioche flavours.

Winner of the NZ Wine Centre Legacy Award at the Marlborough Wine Show in 2023 for vintages 2011, 2014, and 2016. This award honours wines with pedigree and is awarded to the wine producer with the highest scores from three vintages within a tenyear period.

Tohu Rewa is distributed by Kono.

34 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

VINTAGE BLANC DE BLANC

Tohuwines.co.nz

VINTAGE MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE | 100% CHARDONNAY In select stores and online tohuwines.co.nz

NZ Wine Roadmap to Net Zero 2050 offers path forward NEW ZEALAND Winegrowers has released the New Zealand Wine Roadmap to Net Zero 2050, offering vineyards and wineries practical options for reducing emissions.

The launch was part of the Research & Innovation Forum, one of several events at the Altogether Unique 2024 annual wine celebrations held in Wellington.

New Zealand Winegrowers Environment Committee Chair Fabian Yukich, says the wine industry needed a pathway on how to achieve its goal of being Net Zero by 2050. “Climate change is the biggest long-term challenge facing our industry. It will influence our choice of grape varieties, wine styles, viticultural techniques and regions, and importantly, the purchase decisions of our customers.

Our response to climate change is critical to the reputation of New Zealand as a producer of high value, sustainable, premium quality wine.”

The Roadmap was made possible through the support of EECA (Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority) and produced by thinkstep-anz.

It identifies the industry’s current greenhouse gas emission (GHG) footprint and sets out where the wine industry needs to be at 2030, 2040 and 2050. It offers vineyards and wineries practical options for innovation that will help the industry to reduce its emissions as much as possible, as fast as possible.

NZ Winegrowers says that in the short term, reducing scope 1 emissions is the most practical approach, as scope 2 and 3 emissions will require innovation from across the value chain, in particular electricity generation, transport and packaging.

New Zealand Winegrowers General Manager Sustainability Dr Edwin Massey, says “The wine industry has a proud history of embracing challenges and turning them into opportunities. Learning from each other, and from partners up and down our supply chain, will be critical to reducing emissions and meeting our 2050 goal.”

Download the Roadmap at nzwine.com/en/ sustainability/roadmap-to-net-zero

WINE NEWS

Metala Wines comes to NZ with Indevin METALA WINES from Langhorne Creek, South Australia has announced a strategic partnership with New Zealand wine company Indevin Group, paving the way for its wines to be distributed in New Zealand.

This agreement will see the Metala and Killibinbin ranges available to New Zealand wine enthusiasts for the first time in over 20 years.

“The team at Metala is excited for the opportunity to share our passion and products with our neighbours across the ditch,” said Guy Adams, fifth-generation owner of Metala.

“Partnering with Indevin Group, who share our commitment to quality and exceptional winemaking, is a significant milestone for us. We believe that our Metala and Killibinbin wines will be warmly welcomed by New Zealand wine lovers.”

Metala and Killibinbin are the first partnership brands to be sold in Indevin’s New Zealand portfolio.

“Metala and Killibinbin are a strong fit for our branded portfolio with their approachable styles and commitment to quality,” said Indevin Chief Sales Officer Sam Mills. “We look forward to introducing the distinguished legacy of Metala Wines to our New Zealand customers.”

Metala and Killibinbin wines are available to order now.

Indevin

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WINE NEWS

New Promised Land duo from Taylors FAMILY-OWNED SOUTH Australian wine producer Taylors has launched two new SKUs in its Promised Land range in the New Zealand market: Taylors Promised Land Rosé 2022 and Taylors Promised Land Chardonnay 2022.

Taylors Promised Land Rosé 2022 is a light-bodied, dry style Rosé, while Taylors Promised Land Chardonnay 2022 is an unoaked Chardonnay.

As with other wines in the Taylors Promised Land range, every bottle purchased helps to support Taylors’ partnership with Project Seahorse – a marine conservation project focused on saving seahorses, which are pivotal for

helping to preserve marine life and save the oceans for future generations.

Every bottle of Taylors’ wines bears a seahorse emblem, referencing the discovery of fossilised seahorses on their Clare Valley vineyard, a remnant of an ancient inland sea.

Taylors Promised Land Chardonnay 2022 and Taylors Promised Land Rosé are RRP $16.99.

Taylor Brown

NZ Winegrowers welcomes RSE changes NZ WINEGROWERS is welcoming a boost in numbers and a raft of improvements to the Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) scheme.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has announced that the cap on the number of workers for the 2024/25 season is increasing by 1,250 to 20,750.

Other changes include employers being required to pay workers an average of 30 hours a week over four weeks. The pause on accommodation cost increases will be lifted and the requirement to pay RSE workers 10% above the minimum wage will only apply to experienced workers, recognising their productivity.

Erica Stanford says this will help support growth in the horticulture and viticulture industries. “We are making changes that can be delivered quickly, reduce costs and compliance for employers, and improve flexibility for RSE workers.”

Further changes are: • Improved flexibility for RSE workers to move between employers and regions.

• Workers’ visas will be multi-entry during a season.

• RSE workers will be able to undertake

training and skills development not directly related to their role.

• RSE workers will no longer have to be screened for HIV, aligning them with other temporary visa applicant requirements.

• Timor-Leste will be included in the scheme.

Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers, says the RSE scheme has been vital to the growth of the wine industry and the boost to RSE worker numbers will enable the industry to plan with certainty for future growth. “We strongly support employing New Zealanders in the wine industry. RSE workers focus on the seasonal peaks, supporting our permanent workforce.

These improvements strike a careful balance between making sure Pacific workers have well-paid work and employers can access the workers they need, when they need them.

“We particularly welcome the return to the scheme’s pre-COVID settings by removing the accommodation cost restrictions and restoring the minimum hours entitlement calculation to a monthly average.”

WINE NEWS

SEVERAL STANDOUT lots saw the 2024 Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction raise nearly $350,000 in support of Cranford Hospice in the renowned annual event.

Over 300 wine enthusiasts gathered at Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre to celebrate the local wine industry and raised $335,697 over the night.

Bidding was fierce from the start, taking only seven lots to raise the first $50,000 under the guidance of Harcourts Hawke’s Bay auctioneer, Chris Kennedy.

A privately donated 37-bottle vertical collection of Te Mata Estate Coleraine spanning four decades was purchased by local business Isaac’s Plumbing and Electrical for $18,000.

In an incredible act of generosity, Isaac’s director Gavin Streeter immediately

donated the lot back to be re-auctioned, and it was purchased a second time for $16,500.

“It was an amazing moment,” said Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction General Manager, Sam Kershaw. “The crowd was blown away, and I think it inspired the room to continue their generous bidding right to the very last lot.”

The highest-selling wine lot, aside from the Coleraine, was a half barrique of 2024 Kakara Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah blend, donated by Paritua Wines, which went for $15,000.

Peter Cowley, Chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction, thanked winemakers and sponsors for their continued support, acknowledging the vital role they play in making the event possible. “A fundraising

Parliament announces its new wine range THE SEVEN wines to be showcased as the New Zealand Parliament wine range have been selected.

The announcement follows a tender process earlier this year in which Parliamentary Service invited all New Zealand wineries to be part of an exclusive, signature line of wines being established

by New Zealand Parliament’s catering service.

The wines are: • 27seconds Pinot Gris – North Canterbury • Luna Estate Pinot Noir - Martinborough • Eva Pemper Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough • Leveret Estate Reserve Chardonnay – Hawke’s Bay • Mills Reef Reserve Syrah - Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay • Mills Reef Reserve Merlot Malbec - Gimblett Gravels - Hawke’s Bay • Leveret IQ Brut – Hawkes Bay Later this year, the newly labelled wines will be

Bidders at the 2024 Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction

served as the house range at parliamentary events and in Parliament’s onsite licenced eateries, including Bellamys Restaurant, and available for purchase at the Parliament Gift Shop.

“We’re excited our new Parliament wine range represents an array of wine regions which showcase the diversity and richness our country’s wine industry has to offer,” Parliamentary Catering General Manager Bryce Hughes said. “We thank all the wineries who took part in this initiative, and we’re proud to be able to showcase a small section of this industry and the people behind it.”

FLORENCE CHARVIN

Standout wines at Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction fundraiser

total like this reflects the quality of the wine that was donated. Every year, our local winemakers put forward their very best, including many wines blended uniquely for the auction.”

Cranford Hospice, which provides palliative care services to the Hawke’s Bay community, relies heavily on donations, and the annual Wine Auction remains its largest private annual donor. Every cent raised goes directly to support the hospice.

BEER & CIDER REPORT

Spring into action and get the latest beers and ciders into your fridges and onto your drinks lists for the new season…

40 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

BEER & CIDER REPORT

Note: Beers and ciders are listed in order of % ABV. Krombacher Pilsner 0%

Behemoth Haze Juice Hazy IPA

McLeod’s Kolsch Ale

0.0% ABV, 500ml RRP $2.50 Q Liquid

5% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $21.99 Behemoth

5% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.99 McLeod’s

A great addition to the zero alcohol options on the market from Germany’s Krombacher. The Pilsner 0.0% is easy drinking and refreshing; full-flavoured with a well-balanced malt character and light hop aromas.

Haze Juice is a new addition to Behemoth’s core range 6-packs and the team is confident it’s destined for greatness. It delivers everything you’d expect from a Behemoth Hazy IPA, and then some. Full of New Zealand and U.S. hops for juicy, tropical flavours.

Ekstra Dry

As spring hits, Oktoberfest looms large in Germany, spurring McLeod’s to get involved with a trad brew from the home of fine beer.

Their Kolsch is a nod to “the understated grace of beers from Cologne”. They’ve combined German malt, German yeast and German Saaz hops for a delicate, subtle fruitiness slipping in over a crisp, dry finish.

5% ABV, 568ml RRP $4.50 Q Liquid

Sprig + Fern Haze of the People #3

Monteith’s Hazy Lemonade

4.2% ABV, 330ml 10-pack RRP $29.99 - also in keg DB Hard on the heels of Monteith’s Ginger Beer comes a new partner for summer with Monteith’s Hazy Lemonade. This brewed alcoholic lemonade is fresh and zesty, wrapped up in a hazy package.

Sawmill Ultra Low Carb Lager

4.2% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $21.99 Sawmill This new release from Sawmill marks their entry into the rapidly growing low carb category. Ultra Low Carb Lager is a crisp, clean New Zealand style lager with 50% fewer carbs than mainstream lagers.

This Lithuanian beer is crisp and refreshing with a dry finish, featuring mild malt sweetness balanced by a gentle hop bitterness. The dryness is more pronounced compared with standard lagers.

Krombacher Hell

5% ABV, 500ml RRP $4.99 Q Liquid Krombacher Hell offers a mild, smooth, and full-bodied taste experience. It has subtle, balanced hop aromas and a gentle, malty sweetness that makes it exceptionally easy to drink. The finish is clean and refreshing.

Good George Left Hand Break Pacific Ale

A tribute to democracy, the creation of Sprig + Fern’s third Haze of the People was based on votes by the staff and owners of Sprig + Fern Taverns, and other establishments serving Sprig + Fern beers. With the votes tallied, the clear winners were the legendary Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin hops. Together, they’ve created aromas of pear, grape, tangerine and lemon sherbet, while in the glass there are flavours of white grape, melon, and a slight herbaceousness.

Crisp, smooth and easy-drinking.

Gambrinus

5.2% ABV, 500ml RRP $6.99 Q Liquid

4.4% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $20 Good George Juicy citrus and grapefruit burst from the glass alongside a light grassy note in this new release from Hamilton brewers Good George.

Super crisp and lightly bitter with a subtle malt biscuit flavour.

5.1% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.49 and 888ml RRP $13.49 Sprig + Fern

Based on the easydrinking classic German Hefeweizen, Sprig + Fern’s Fields of Gold hits all the marks you’d expect from a “yeast wheat” beer.

Gambrinus hails from the Czech Republic and this is a crisp and refreshing lager with a balanced malt sweetness and mild hop bitterness. The flavour is clean, with a subtle breadiness and a touch of spice from the hops.

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 41

BEER & CIDER REPORT

Sprig + Fern Fields of Gold Hefeweizen

Garage Project Hazy Pernicious Weed Hazy IPA

Sawmill Aotearoa Series #52 NZH-109 Hazy IPA

6% ABV, 330ml RRP $4.50 Garage Project

6% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 Sawmill

Garage Project have taken their Pernicious Weed classic and given it a hazy new inflection.

As the brewers say: “the monster hop has taken a new form”. Loaded with the same New Zealand-grown Nelson Sauvin and Rakau hops, the flavours of juicy grapefruit, passionfruit and dank resin are now fused in a swirling haze.

Sawmill’s Aotearoa Series is all about celebrating extraordinary local farmers and innovators. In #52 they’ve harnessed the power of the “citrus bomb” trial hop NZH-109 from the NZ Hops Bract Brewing Programme. The result is a juicy, hoppy hazy IPA with a vibrant finish.

Good George Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Sawmill Mosaic Hazy IPA

6% ABV, 946ml RRP $12.99 Good George

6% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 Sawmill

Behemoth is changing up the Chur and launching new Chur IPA to replace its longstanding Chur NZ Pale Ale. The new brew is loaded with a generous blend of New Zealand hops over balanced malts for a massive burst of hop flavour and aroma.

Good George’s ginger credentials are bolstered with their new Alcoholic Ginger Beer. Pouring golden amber with a slight haze and frothy head, there are flavours of fresh ginger root with hints of citrus and a subtle spiciness.

The robust ginger flavour hits a nice balance between sweetness and spice.

A refreshing and tropical hazy loaded with plenty of Mosaic hops.

McLeod’s Cruisin’ Cold IPA

Good George Alcoholic Lemonade

5.8% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 McLeod’s

6% ABV, 946ml RRP $12.99 Good George

Brewed cold with McLeod’s house lager yeast, this a beer for lovers of smooth, clean brews.

A thread of floral and citrus notes over a cracker-like malt base melds with Centennial, Simcoe and Citra hops for well-integrated bitterness.

Here’s a drop that will really come into its own as summer approaches and the days get warmer. Good George’s Alcoholic Lemonade pours a light yellow with a bouncy effervescence and a slight haze. The flavour is a fresh lemon zest with floral undertones. The lemon flavour is both tart and sweet for a light, refreshing drop with a crisp, clean finish.

5.4% ABV, 440ml RRP $8.49 and 888ml RRP $13.49 Sprig + Fern Based on the easy-drinking classic German Hefeweizen, Fields of Gold hits all the marks you’d expect from a “yeast wheat” beer.

Pouring straw-coloured and hazy, there are notes of banana, stone fruit and a sprinkling of baking spices on the nose. In the mouth there’s a juiciness with a slightly tart edge, and a wheat base that gives a bite of banana bread.

Ideal served with a bowl of mussels.

Behemoth Chur IPA

5.6% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $25.99 Behemoth

Brewed cold with McLeod’s house lager yeast, Cruisin’ Cold IPA is a beer for lovers of smooth, clean brews.

42 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

Behemoth Juice Wayne Hazy IPA

6.1% ABV, 330ml 6-pack RRP $26.99 Behemoth Guess who’s back? Behemoth favourite, aka “the hopped crusader of beers” returns and is now part of Behemoth’s core range 6-pack line-up. Juice Wayne is a superhero packed with super hops by way of Citra, Nelson Sauvin, Mosaic and Sabro for lashings of citrus, tropical fruit and a subtle hint of coconut.

McLeod’s Take it Easy Unfiltered IPA

6.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99 McLeod’s This big unfiltered IPA is packed to the gills with Nelson Sauvin and U.S. Mosaic hops. Big flavours of mango and gooseberry mingle with juicy orange over a malt base. A lingering fruitforward finish is the perfect counterpoint to balanced bitterness. Unfiltered and easy as.

BEER & CIDER REPORT

Brewed in collaboration with Pōkeno Whisky, Sunshine’s Pōkeno Full Barrel is a grunty ale, aged in whisky barrels for seven months.

Sawmill Punch Hazy IPA

McLeod’s White Sands White IPA

6.5% ABV, 330ml RRP $5.99 Sawmill

6.6% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99 McLeod’s

Sawmill’s Punch Hazy IPA is a classic combo of juicy and tropical hops. A winner for warmer days.

A cross between a Belgian Wit and a classic IPA, White Sands IPA was brewed with Belgian Wit yeast, oats, wheat and Belgian pilsner malt before hopping with Lemon Drop and Citra. The result is a fruity, hoppy drop in which the yeast and hops meld well for a soft lemony-ness and a light, tart finish. Refreshing and complex.

Sunshine Robust Porter

6.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 Sunshine Sunshine’s Eclipse series explores all things dark. The Robust Porter tends toward an American-style porter with Cascade hops up front. It leans into dark leather and slight tobacco notes, with a bit of cacao thrown in for good measure. More of a deep, deep brown than a black, this is still a porter for lovers of the dark side.

Sunshine Sonic the Hophog WCIPA

6.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $9.99 Sunshine Sunshine’s Sonic the Hophog WCIPA was their entry into this year’s Malthouse/Fork & Brewer West Coast IPA Challenge, which asked entrants to use video games as inspiration.

Pouring clear and golden, this is a balanced ale that starts with a classic West Coast IPA malt and builds on it with Simcoe, Cryo Mosaic and Ahhhroma Hops – the latter being a new cultivar from Montana. Crisp, balanced and dangerously drinkable.

Garage Project Tūtaki Haze Hazy IPA

Sunshine Tiramisu Stout

7.5% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99 Sunshine Another entrant in Sunshine’s Eclipse series, their Tiramisu Stout is a dessert-inspired stout laced with Tongan vanilla, cold brew coffee, and chocolate from the Wellington Chocolate Factory. The result is a flavour bomb that wouldn’t be out of place following a beautiful Italian meal.

Garage Project Willamette Valley Hazy Double IPA

8% ABV, 440ml RRP $11.50 Garage Project A collaboration with American brewers Trillium from Boston, this big double IPA focuses on hops from the other side of the country in Oregon’s majestic Willamette Valley. Dry hopped with Strata, Luminosa and Audacia hops, this drop is a lusciously juicy hazy homage to the unique character of America’s North West.

7% ABV, 440ml RRP $9 Garage Project

Garage Project Mātakitaki Valley Hazy Double IPA

Inspired by the location in which its hops are grown, Garage Project’s Tūtaki Haze is a lush hazy IPA brewed with Nelson Sauvin, Motueka and Riwaka hops grown on the Nelson Lakes farm where the Mātakitaki and Tūtaki rivers meet. Paired with New Zealand-grown malted barley, wheat and oats there are flavours of ripe tropical mango, passionfruit and lime.

8% ABV, 440ml RRP $11 Garage Project

Sunshine Pōkeno Full Barrel Ale

For their fourth hop harvest collaboration with Boston brewing legends Trillium, Garage Project are celebrating Nelson Lakes Hops in the Mātakitaki Valley. A hop free boil and massive dry hop addition of hand-selected Nelson Sauvin and Motueka creates a giant, juicy, hazy tribute to one of New Zealand’s most exciting new hop-growing regions.

7% ABV, 440ml RRP $10.99 Sunshine Brewed in collaboration with Pōkeno Whisky, this grunty ale was aged in whisky barrels for seven months. At 7%, it has a decent whack of alcohol, but nowhere near as much as the spirit-infused nose suggests. The whisky flavours mingle with notes of vanilla, caramel and butterscotch for a boozy-dessert of a beer that would be a fitting end to any night.

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 43

BEER & CIDER REPORT

Garage Project Sunrise Valley Hazy Double IPA

8% ABV, 440ml RRP $11 Garage Project Garage Project’s Sunrise Valley was originally brewed in Canton, Massachusetts with east coast brewing legends Trillium. Dry hopped with New Zealand Nelson Sauvin and Rakau hops.

Garage Project Yakima Valley Hazy Double IPA

8% ABV, 440ml RRP $11 Garage Project Another Hazy Double IPA brewed in collaboration with East Coast brewers Trillium.

Mosaic and Citra hops from Upper Moutere’s Freestyle Farm pay homage to the hop-growing mecca of Yakima Valley in Washington State. A hop free boil and massive dry hop addition of hand selected hops create a big, juicy hazy.

Sawmill Double IPA

8% ABV, 330ml RRP $5.99 Sawmill A big beer for IPA lovers with flavours of bold stone fruit, pine, and citrus.

Sunshine Big Brother

8% ABV, 440ml RRP $11.99 Sunshine Named for a big, heavy surf break in Gisborne’s Mahia, Big Brother is a big, heavy beer and as hazy as the whitewash after a big set hits the beach. This 8% brew uses Azacca, Citra and Idaho 7 hops to create a juicy hazy with flavours of tropical fruits, citrus, and pineapple.

As with any big surf, this is one to be treated with respect.

Parrotdog Limited Release #20 Hazy DIPA

8.6% ABV, 440ml RRP $11.99 Parrotdog Parrotdog’s Limited Release #20 is a collab brew with One Drop Brewing Co in Sydney.

Featuring a fruity, expressive new yeast strain and hops in all different formats via One Drop’s own Clean Fusionä hop dosing technique, this beer carries huge tropical fruit punch bowl characters and a zingy citrus finish.

44 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

Peckham’s Apple Zero is a premium non-alcoholic cider made in the classic Peckham’s style: intense, authentic flavour with the unmistakable taste of cider apples.

CIDER Peckham’s Apple Zero NonAlcoholic Cider

<0.5% ABV, 330ml RRP $4.49 Peckham’s This is New Zealand’s first premium non-alcoholic cider made with specialist cider apples and alcohol removed after fermentation. It’s a non-alcoholic option made in the classic Peckham’s style: intense, authentic flavour with the unmistakable taste of cider apples. Gluten-free and vegan friendly.

Peckham’s Chisel Jersey 2023

5.9% ABV, 330ml RRP $6.49 Peckham’s Made with Chisel Jersey cider apples harvested in 2023, this limited edition cider has been wild-fermented and then aged in oak barrel for extra complexity and depth of flavour. The result is an off-dry cider with a deep colour and flavour rich with notes of orange, caramel and subtle earthiness. Gluten-free and vegan friendly.

Good George Passionfruit Margarita Cider

6% ABV, 946ml RRP $12.99 Good George Just in time for the spicy flavours of summer barbecues – Good George’s Passionfruit Margarita Cider offers lush, juicy passionfruit and lime and is sweet and tangy with a slight saltiness.

Peckham’s Barrel-fermented Knotted Kernel 2023

7% ABV, 330ml RRP $6.49 - available 1 November Peckham’s This limited edition cider is made from one of Peckham’s most characterful apple varieties, Knotted Kernel, harvested in 2023. After pressing, the juice went directly to barrel and was wild-fermented to create this bold cider with strong character. Dry in style and fulsome on the nose. Bright and rich apple flavour with complex notes of caramel and hazelnut. Full bodied and textural with tannins. Gluten-free and vegan friendly.

For distributor contacts see the Distributor Index on page 102.

OPINION – BEER

Michael Donaldson

Beer Writer of the Year, journalist and author beernation.co.nz

Are beers getting better?

Michael Donaldson reflects on the lessons from New Zealand’s biggest night in beer…

THE RECENT New Zealand Beer Awards produced some intriguing data: a whopping 77% of entries got a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal. That’s a phenomenal result, as traditionally medalwinning beers have equated to around 50-55%.

It begs the question: are our beers getting better? The partial answer is: yes. The flip side is: are judges are more generous? Possibly.

And in-between those two options is whether breweries are more judicious in what they enter, putting in only those beers they know will do well and not wasting valuable cash on entering any old beer that’s lying around. The data supports this option.

Behemoth is a prime example. Last year they entered 52 beers, this year 26.

Garage Project also entered fewer beers than normal. And Jason Bathgate, head brewer at McLeod’s (awarded Champion Medium-Sized Brewery), said he and his team went through a rigorous pre-entry process where only beers deemed good enough for at least Silver, in their opinion, would be entered.

All of these factors combined made for a busy medal-collecting night. It’s also the year that delivered more “perfect” results than any other in recent history. A whole bunch of breweries got medals with every beer they entered. Of those who won at least one Gold medal and entered 10 or more beers, there were seven breweries that had 100% percent records: Sprig + Fern (20/20), Parrotdog (20/20), Shining 46 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

Peak (15/15), Panhead (14/14), Three Boys (12/12), Good George (12/12), and Bach (10/10).

While breweries are being more judicious in their entries, I also believe the quality of New Zealand beer continues to improve. As Jason Bathgate noted in my chat with him, we are blessed with a number of judges who have excellent palates but are, as he described it, “hypercritical” of any technical faults.

While breweries are being more judicious in their entries, I also believe the quality of New Zealand beer continues to improve.

And every year, there are fewer and fewer “dud” beers entered into these competitions – and I speak from my experience as chair of judges for the New World Beer & Cider Awards. I’ve seen the quality in that competition rise every year. A decade ago, some entries were nigh on undrinkable as they were so fault-riddled.

There was a range of other highlights for me from this year’s NZ Beer Awards too. Sprig + Fern’s The G.O.A.T Doppelbock won a trophy for Amber & Dark Lager or Ale – it’s fast becoming one of New Zealand’s most-awarded

beers alongside modern greats such as Panhead Port Road Pilsner, Three Boys Oyster Stout and Epic Armageddon. A barrel-aged version has just been released, which should be on every beer geek’s collectible list.

Mount Brewing knocked off a longawaited huge achievement. They had a great 12 months leading up to the event, winning the Malthouse West Coast IPA Challenge in 2023 and the NZ Stout Challenge this year. They added a longoverdue Trophy to their collection with Shades of the Pacific, which won the Stout and Porter Trophy.

It was a special effort for Good George Virtual Reality Pale Ale to win the Trophy in the Low, No and Reduced Alcohol class given that it was a non-alc beer up against 2.5% competitors.

Kudos to Beer Baroness Slice of Heaven Hazy NZ IPA – it took out a big double this year: the New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30 and a Trophy (for Hazy/Juicy Pale Ale); a feat also achieved by Sprig + Fern’s The G.O.A.T. And Bach Brewing got a deserved reward for a year in which they have made some of the nicest New Zealand-hopped hazies, with Bungy Smuggler winning the Trophy for Hazy/Juicy IPA. Of course, McLeod’s were the biggest winners on the night, scoring a competition-best of eight Gold medals, two style Trophies, the Champion Medium Brewery crown and the title of Champion Beer with Tropical Cyclone Double IPA. A huge effort from the Waipu crew.

NOTHING LIKE A COLD BEER. EXCEPT MAYBE A SUPER COLD BEER.

BEER & CIDER NEWS

New highs for NZ Beer Awards THE WINNERS in the New Zealand Beer Awards 2024 were revealed in August with Christchurch brewery Three Boys taking out the top honour.

More than 300 industry professionals gathered for the awards ceremony in Auckland, with trophies awarded to those judged the best of more than 700 entries from around the country.

The prestigious Overall Champion Brewing Company award went to Three Boys Brewery, a title they also held in 2022.

McLeod’s Brewery from Waipu received the Champion New Zealand Beer Trophy for their India Pale Ale, Tropical Cyclone, and also won the Champion Medium Brewery title.

The awards coincided with McLeod’s 10th anniversary, making the awards recognition an even bigger celebration.

“There were a lot of high fives that night!” says co-owner Geoff Gwynne, “it’s really great to have something so positive to talk about.” He credits the success of the Champion New Zealand Beer to the skill of their head brewer Jason Bathgate, who makes the beer by hand on the same site as the Waipu Pizza Barn. “It’s got a crazy amount of hops in it and a pretty lean backbone for malt. Balancing a beer like that is really tricky and I think it’s one of the signs of Jason’s skills.”

The Brewers Guild says that the quality and quantity of the entries this year exceeded expectations, marking a significant milestone for the awards.

“We’re over the moon with both the number of entries and their quality in the 2024 competition,” said Melanie Kees, Executive Director of the Brewers Guild of New Zealand. “One of the key drivers behind the New Zealand Beer Awards, apart from celebrating our exceptional local beers, is to recognise and uphold high standards. This year, we saw a 14% increase in the success rate for medals, with 77% of all entries receiving a medal.

This is a testament to the outstanding quality of New Zealand beer, which is fantastic news for both brewers and consumers.”

The Specialty & Experimental category emerged as the largest, followed closely by the Stout & Porter, and NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner categories.

New Zealand Beer Awards 2024 Winners Champion Award Winners

Champion Micro Brewery: Fork & Brewer, Wellington Champion Small Brewery: Shining Peak Brewing, New Plymouth Champion Medium Brewery: McLeod’s Brewery, Waipu Champion Large Brewery: Parrotdog, Wellington Overall Champion New Zealand Brewing Company: Three Boys Brewery, Christchurch Champion New Zealand Manufacturer: Steam Brewing, Auckland Champion New Zealand Beer: McLeod’s Brewery, Waipu – Tropical Cyclone Beer Trophy Winners

International Lager: Parrotdog - L.B. Cold IPA NZ IPA, NZ Pale & NZ Draughts: Shining Peak Brewing - Detained & Fabulous NZ Lager & NZ Pilsner: Parrotdog - Sundog British & European Ale: Isthmus Brewing - Gone Troppo Amber/Dark Lager & Ale: Sprig + Fern Brewing Co - The G.O.A.T Doppelbock International Pale Ale: McLeod’s Brewery - Blue Sky No, Low & Reduced Alcohol: Good George Brewing - Virtual Reality Non Alcoholic Pale Ale Indian Pale Ale: McLeod’s Brewery - Tropical Cyclone Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale: Beer Baroness - Slice of Heaven Juicy/Hazy IPA: Bach Brewing Co. - Bungy Smuggler NZ Hazy IPA Stout & Porter: Mount Brewing Co. - Shades of the Pacific Wheat & Other Grain: Panhead Custom Ales - Batch 293, German Wheat Fruit & Flavoured: Behemoth Brewing Company Ltd - Triple Chocolate Milk Stout Specialty & Experimental: Three Boys Brewery - Three Boys Raspberry Gose Wood & Barrel Aged: Shining Peak Brewing - Vintage Stout 2021 Industry Award Winners

Brewing Sustainability Award: Sawmill Brewery Beer Tourism Award: Altitude Brewing Packaging Award: Hop Federation Morton Coutts Award for Innovation: Clayton Hops For a full list of Trophy and medal winners visit brewersguild.org.nz

48 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

SHOWCASE

Premium NZ cider ripe for the picking Lois Scott, co-owner of Peckham’s Cidery and Orchard in Upper Moutere explains why it’s time for premium NZ-made cider to take the spotlight...

FOR TOO long, consumers in New Zealand have been underserved in the cider category.

International research shows cider has become a popular premium drinking experience in America, and is already established in other markets such as the UK and northern Europe.

Recent key findings include: • Global consumption of cider exceeds 2.6 billion litres with growth driven by premiumisation. (Source: Westons Cider Report 2024) • In the United States, 52% of under 40s are consuming premium cider vs 33% drinking wine or beer. (Source: Cidercon 2023) • U.S. consumers with incomes over US$100,000 are consuming more cider (58%) than wine (53%) or beer (47%).

(Source: Wine Market Council Benchmark Segmentation Survey 2023) There is no reason why premium cider can’t enjoy the same popularity in New Zealand. Cider made from cider apples is popular the world over, not just because it has complex, delicious flavours and incredible aromas, but it is lower in alcohol than grape wine, is gluten-free, and appeals to consumers who want an authentic taste experience with real provenance.

The rise of premium cider in NZ

There are many exciting and delicious styles of premium cider, because when you’re making it from specialist cider apples there are lots of ways to innovate and influence flavour, such as blending or barrel work, as with wine.

However, premium or ‘fine’ cider made from cider apples has had very little representation in the New Zealand market until relatively recently. This is because it is a high-barrier-to-entry product with cider

apple trees taking many years to become productive, so consumer awareness has been minimal.

However, with the general ‘craft’ movement, some great work by the New Zealand Fruit Wine and Cider Makers Association, and a handful of passionate cider-makers, Kiwi consumers are discovering what premium cider tastes like and the pool of cider enthusiasts and cider experimentalists is growing.

The key challenge faced by cidermakers who produce premium ciders in New Zealand is the lack of regulation around production methods and labelling.

Currently, there is no minimum apple juice content requirement in New Zealand, meaning cider can be made from concentrate and water and labelled as ‘craft’.

Some brands use graded out eating apples originally destined for the

and closer toward an RTD-style drink.

Some ciders on the market are even being named after cocktails, which is not representative of authentic cider and confusing for consumers.

Get on board with premium cider

There is a real opportunity to build a premium cider category in New Zealand.

The government has recognised this potential with its support of the Cider Apples NZ project, which aims to create a $1 billion export industry in the next 15 years.

The fact the best apple breeders in the world and the New Zealand government are taking an interest in this initiative is extremely exciting.

Kiwi consumers are discovering what premium cider tastes like and the pool of cider enthusiasts and cider experimentalists is growing. supermarket. While these can make a quality product, eating apples and concentrate lack the complex flavour compounds required for making premium or fine cider, which has a distinctive, multi-dimensional taste that can only be derived from cider apples.

There has also been a rise in “RTD ciders”, which are often made with concentrate and/or contain a high percentage of water. The only way to “innovate” with these is to add other fruit flavourings, which takes them even further away from an authentic cider experience

At Peckham’s, we’re well-positioned to embrace this growth of premium cider with our fully productive cider apple orchards that are marking their 20th birthday this year.

We have a range of multi-awardwinning premium ciders and new orchards poised to come on stream over the next few years as volume continues to increase.

Watch this space – the ‘Ciderenaissance’ is coming.

For wholesale inquiries contact lois@peckhams.co.nz

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 49

BEER & CIDER NEWS

Asahi launches self-foaming beer can in NZ IN A New Zealand first, Asahi Beverages NZ is bringing the Asahi Super Dry self-foaming draught beer can to Kiwis for a limited time.

“Nama Jokki”, which translates to “fresh beer mug”, is Asahi Super Dry premium beer sealed in an innovative can that releases a silky foam when opened at the right temperature.

It is the first time Nama Jokki has been sold outside Asia and it launched onto the New Zealand market in late September.

Asahi Beverages NZ General Manager Marketing, Oliver Downs, says Nama Jokki will provide a first-of-its-kind

experience for beer drinkers in New Zealand over spring and into summer.

“This breakthrough innovation is the latest major initiative for the Asahi Super Dry beer brand in New Zealand, following up from a bumper year as the official beer of the Rugby World Cup 2023.

“We will continue to invest in Asahi Super Dry in New Zealand to get this great brand into the hands of more Kiwi beer drinkers, and this accelerated launch of Nama Jokki highlights our brand commitment,” says Downs.

The self-foaming is caused by a non-

uniform surface inside the can that causes bubbles to form naturally when the lid is opened. These bubbles rise to the top, forming the foam head that helps lock in freshness and taste, similar to an Asahi Super Dry on tap.

The can lid lifts off completely to reveal a smooth edge, creating an open vessel that can be drunk from directly. The innovation behind Asahi Super Dry Nama Jokki took four years to develop in Japan.

Asahi Super Dry ‘Namma Jokki’, 340ml 6-pack is RRP $18-$20.

Asahi Beverages

Proudly New Zealand’s Champion Cider Producer

CLASSIC APPLE

ELDERFLOWER

AUSTRALIAN CIDER AWARDS 2023 Trophy for Best International Cider or Perry Stoke Red 2020

Our cider is only made from specialist cider apples grown on our orchard

BOYSENBERRY

NEW ZEALAND CIDER AWARDS 2023 NEW WORLD BEER & CIDER AWARDS 2024 Champion Cider Champion Producer 2023 Champion Cider - Stoke Red 2020 Trophy for Traditional Cider - Stoke Red 2020 Trophy for Cider with Berry Fruit - Boysenberry Trophy for Specialty Cider - Roasted Apple Gold Medal - Major 2022 Gold Medal - Farmhouse

Hazy Apple

orders@peckhams.co.nz

BEER & CIDER NEWS

Pick up a new Peckham’s cider 4-pack PECKHAM’S CIDER will be available in 330ml 4-packs from November. The 4-packs will include Classic Apple (formerly Apple), new non-alcoholic Apple Zero, and a mixed four pack with the popular core SKUS of Classic Apple, Hazy Apple, Elderflower, and Boysenberry.

“We’re really excited to introduce this multi-pack option to cider fans looking for an authentic taste experience made with specialist cider apples," says Peckham’s co-owner Lois Scott. “The mixed pack is a great opportunity for people to try our four most popular ciders at home.”

Classic Apple 4-pack and Mixed 4-Pack are RRP $19.99. Apple Zero 4-Pack is RRP $16.99

Monteith’s mixes it up for summer

Peckham’s

RIGHT ON time for barbecue season and get-togethers, Monteith’s has added a new mixed 10-pack to its stable. The pack includes old favourites and new arrivals with two 330ml cans of each of West Coastin’ Hazy, Gold Dust Hazy, Phoenix IPA, Ginger Beer, and Hazy Lemonade.

Monteith’s Mix 10-pack RRP $29.99.

DB

Just because you don’t want a beer, it doesn’t mean you don’t want a beer.

So, we brewed you a beer. Inspired by the big bold flavours of Bird Dog IPA, but without the bite. Little Bird is an alcohol-free* IPA, with a deliciously-puritanical, true expression of the hop flavour.

It’s so tasty, you won’t even realise you’re not drinking.

Until the morning, of course.

Alcohol Free* IPA *Contains not more than 0.5% Alc/Vol

MALTY

HOPPY

LIGHT

DArK

sweet

bitter

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Magical botanicals From classic London Dry botanicals to hand-foraged native ingredients that speak of a time and place, discover the tales behind the gins in this year’s Gin Report…

52 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Note: Gins are listed alphabetically within their country category.

NEW ZEALAND 5 Mile Berry Gin

1919 Feijoa is the fifth gin in 1919’s Kiwiana Range and heroes the distinctive flavour of fresh feijoa.

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.95 5 Mile Distilling A vibrant, full-bodied gin with raspberries, blackberries and vanilla pods adding lush sweetness to a classic botanical mix.

5 Mile Navy Gin

57.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.95 5 Mile Distilling A tribute to navy gins of old from Taupō distillery 5 Mile. A blend of botanicals, including green cardamom pods, cassia bark, walnuts, lime peel, and green peppercorns, are enhanced by New Zealand Giant kelp for a briny aroma and taste.

5 Mile Original Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.95 5 Mile Distilling Strong juniper to the fore, balanced with spicy and aromatic flavours of cardamom and cinnamon, with depth from lime peel and green peppercorns.

1919 Classic

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $73 1919 Distilling There’s a Kiwi twist on this classic-style gin with Otago cherries, mānuka honey and organic citrus. Light and clean but complex on the palate with a developing spiced warmth, freshened by zesty citrus.

1919 Dry Pink

Armada Premium Dry Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $77 1919 Distilling

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $64.99-$69.99 Armada Spirits

Pale pink in the glass, this gin has aromas of red berry fruit and a hint of sweetness. Light and rounded with a strawberry ripeness and a thread of honey, balanced with juniper and spice. Juniper and strawberry on the finish.

This take on a London Dry-style gin from Papamoa Beach distiller Armada Spirits uses classic coriander, liquorice and angelica root for a gin that is citrus-forward and underpinned by subtle spice.

1919 Feijoa

Armada Pink Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $77 1919 Distilling

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $64.99-$69.99 Armada Spirits

This is the fifth gin in 1919’s Kiwiana Range and heroes the distinctive flavour of fresh feijoa. Made with 1919’s award-winning London Dry gin as a base, the new Feijoa Gin is juniper-forward with a touch of citrus and fresh feijoa.

Fresh Bay of Plenty boysenberries are infused in Armada’s Premium Dry Gin to add a fruity twist and natural colour to this pink expression.

1919 Pineapple Bits

A fragrant and complex gin made with 20 botanicals, including rose petals, hibiscus, blueberry, cubeb pepper, lemon myrtle, lemon thyme and liquorice root. The liquorice is up-front on the palate, with a herbaceous quality emerging; lifted citrus notes and delicate florals on the finish. Awarded Gold at the 2024 World Gin Awards.

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $77 1919 Distilling This was the first release in 1919’s Kiwiana Range, inspired by a certain much-loved New Zealand lolly. Pineapple Bits is a lushly tropical pineapple gin with a subtle chocolate character.

Ariki Ultra-Premium Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Beverage Brothers Rarotongan vanilla and Tongan coconut give this New Zealand-made gin a Pacific twist and sit alongside native mānuka and classic gin botanicals. Delicate floral and citrus aromas with a full-bodied warming flavour and a rich, smooth finish.

Awildian Coromandel Dry Gin

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.95, 700ml RRP $104.95 Coromandel Distilling Company

Awildian Coromandel Dry Gin – Blue Edition

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.95 Coromandel Distilling Company The addition of butterfly pea flower to the original Awildian Coromandel Dry Gin creates a vivid blue hue in this gin and adds a colourchanging quality when combined with tonic.

Awarded Gold at the 2024 World Gin Awards.

DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024 53

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Bluff Gin is a new release on the local gin scene and has already made a splash, winning Best Dry Gin and Best in Show at the 2024 Australian Gin Awards.

Awildian Coromandel Mānuka Gin

Black Collar Gin

Blush Citrus

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $89.95 Coromandel Distilling Company

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99 Black Collar Distillery

41.08% ABV, 700ml RRP $90 Blush Gin

This gin rests for at least three months in toasted mānuka wood coated with medicinal grade mānuka honey to create a lightly floral and delicate honeyed thread through the juniper-forward aroma. The sweetness persists on the palate but isn’t cloying and develops into a silky, warming honey note and a lightly lingering finish. Awarded Gold at the 2024 World Gin Awards and Gold and the Trophy for Best Overall in Category (Gin Aged) at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

This gin from Bay of Islands distillery Black Collar has aromas of juniper overlaid with warm spice and lemon. Rounded and full in the mouth with a slight sweetness, there is lemon zest and spice on the palate with a lingering juniper finish.

Citrus from sunny Kerikeri in New Zealand’s north is infused with a touch of Blush Gin’s signature Rhubarb gin. Refreshing and crisp with a vibrant zing. The slightly cloudy appearance is a result of the natural oils from the infused citrus fruits.

Black Robin Rare Gin

Blush Hot Toddy

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89 Negociants

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $90 Blush Gin

A fresh, citrus-forward gin with undertones of spice. The zesty citrus contrasts with peppery heat from the addition of native horopito and the spicy warmth of star anise and liquorice.

Fresh apple, currants, cardamom and clove add a comforting spiced crumble warmth to Blush Rhubarb Gin.

Awildian Coromandel Spiced Gin

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.95 Coromandel Distilling Company There are 23 botanicals in this complex gin, including wild pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, grains of paradise, aniseed, blueberry, chamomile, two varieties of citrus and other botanicals the distillers won’t reveal. It has aromas of white chocolate, violets, lavender, white blossom, and ripe fruits. On the palate there are herbal, spicy and floral elements with honey. Awarded Gold at the 2024 World Gin Awards.

Awildian Rare Damson Gin

32% ABV, 200ml RRP $38 Coromandel Distilling Company Awildian Damson Gin has quickly developed a cult following. Based on a traditional sloe gin recipe, the distillers first make a structured London Dry Gin, which is then macerated with Coromandel damson plums. A labour of love with flavours of ripe stone fruit and rhubarb.

Awarded Gold at the 2024 World Gin Awards.

54 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

Bluff Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.95 Bluff Distillery This new release on the New Zealand gin scene has made a splash already, winning Best Dry Gin and Best in Show at the Australian Gin Awards in September. Created to capture the spirit of its home in Bluff, the gin is a classic, smooth London Dry style with hibiscus flower and lemongrass in the botanical mix. It has bright juniper flavours matched with citrus, liquorice and spice. The distinctive glass buoy bottle evokes its coastal Southland home.

Blush Rhubarb

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $90 Blush Gin Blush Gin’s signature Rhubarb gin is infused with hand-pressed rhubarb and botanicals for a fresh, lush rhubarb flavour.

The Bond Store Kawakawa Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $54 The Bond Store

Blush Boysenberry

Fresh green aromas leap out of this gin, which is made on the Kāpiti Coast. The resinous and earthy nose leads to a smooth, oily palate with intense juniper and a peppery heat balanced with a fresh character. Lingering juniper on the finish.

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $90 Blush Gin

Broken Heart Barrel Aged Gin

This gin is infused with fresh boysenberries from Te Awamutu for a soft, smooth, and fullflavoured gin. Notes of bright red berry fruit sit alongside classic juniper and citrus character.

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $92.99 Broken Heart Six months in French Chardonnay oak mellows the original Broken Heart Gin and gives it pronounced oak aromas and flavour with a smooth, slippery mouthfeel.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Broken Heart Navy Strength

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $104.99 Broken Heart A more botanical-rich and higher ABV version of the original Broken Heart Gin. This Navy Strength expression uses 40% more botanicals to create a more intense version for cocktail making.

Broken Heart Original Gin

40% ABV, 200ml RRP $28.99 and 700ml RRP $89.99 Broken Heart This London Dry gin blends 11 botanicals, combining piney juniper with floral notes from South Island lavender, earthy Nelson-grown hops and malt, and spicy notes from pimento and ginger, alongside angelica. Awarded Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Broken Heart Pinot Noir Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $69.99 Broken Heart Central Otago Pinot Noir grapes are added to the Broken Heart Original Gin to create this expression with its whisky-like colour. The gin has a slightly honeyed aroma with subtle sweetness, distinct red fruit character and a hint of tannins on the palate, leading to a dry finish.

Broken Heart Queenstown Edition

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 Broken Heart This special edition gin was first created in 2021 to mark Broken Heart Spirits’ 9th birthday. It combines the rich botanical essence of the Navy Strength Gin with the alcohol content of the Original Gin. Fresh and vibrant on the nose, citrus-led with a generous helping of juniper. The citrus continues onto the palate in an elegant style, alongside well-balanced botanicals. Awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Chemistry Gin is created by a medical biochemist (and cooking tutor) and was awarded Gold at the 2024 IWSC and 2024 World Gin Awards.

Clarity Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99 Clarity Distilling A gin with a pronounced juniper aroma, subtle spice and citrus and a peppery tickle. A classic dry style on the palate with juniper, coriander, lemon, peppercorn and a light earthiness.

Awarded Gold and Best in Show by Country at the 2024 London Spirits Competition.

Clarity 2023 Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99 Clarity Distilling Broken Heart Quince Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $69.99 Broken Heart The golden hue of this gin echoes that of the quince used in its creation. There is 20kg of quince macerated in every 100 litres of Broken Heart Quince Gin, with no additional sugar or other additives. It has a rich fruit aroma and luscious flavour. Serve neat as an alternative to dessert wine, with cheese and fruit, or as an adventurous match for pork dishes.

Broken Heart Rhubarb Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $69.99 Broken Heart Rhubarb is macerated in Broken Heart Gin to create subtle rhubarb tartness on the nose and a lingering rhubarb flavour.

Chemistry Gin

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $95 Chemistry Gin This contemporary London Dry gin is created by a medical biochemist (and cooking tutor).

She and her partner are passionate about supporting women in science and each bottle sold makes a donation to women in STEM. Chemistry is juniper-forward and single-shot distilled with Sichuan peppercorns, sage and New Zealand kelp. Fresh and super smooth on the palate. Awarded Gold at the 2024 IWSC and 2024 World Gin Awards.

Aromas of juniper, coriander, orris and citrus.

Vibrant juniper, coriander and citrus on the palate with a lingering sweetness from the liquorice root before a crisp, clean finish.

Clarity Navy Gin

57.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $85.99 Clarity Distilling A classic, robust blend with juniper, enhanced by mānuka and charcoal-smoked coriander.

Cardamom adds a spicy allure, while peppercorn offers a playful nose tickle. The palate echoes these notes, with lemon and juniper. A smooth finish with a floral touch from orris root, bright lemon, and peppercorn warmth. Awarded Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Curious Garden Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99 Beverage Brothers This is a classically styled dry gin, crafted at The Spirits Workshop in Christchurch. Exceptionally smooth with elegant juniper and subtle citrus, accompanied by light, bright spice. Refined yet vibrant.

Curious Garden Pink Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99 Beverage Brothers A balanced pink gin with subtle sweet floral highlights featuring ripe pomegranate and rose accents.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Curiosity Curious Dry

Dancing Sands Dry Gin

Dr Beak Haskap Gin Liqueur

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Beverage Brothers

44% ABV, 700ml, RRP $89.99 Federal Merchants

30% ABV, 500ml RRP $76.99 Tickety-Boo

Using a base spirit made from Canterbury grain, this gin has a rich and complex aroma but is light and refreshing on the palate. Its herbal characters come from an array of native botanicals such as kawakawa, horopito, mānuka and tarata (lemonwood).

With fresh aromas of green mānuka leaves and juniper, this gin is creamy on the palate with warming cardamom and pepper, and a long liquorice finish.

The Haskap berry, also known as the honeyberry, is an edible blue honeysuckle and native to the northern hemisphere. Haskap berries grown near Taihape have been infused in Dr Beak’s New Zealand Garden Gin and this was then rested in an oak barrel before being balanced with raw sugar. This gin liqueur expresses savoury nuances, underpinned by fresh rose petals and red berries. Bright and juicy on the palate with a lingering finish and an exotic flavour profile.

Curiosity Pinot Barrel Sloe

27% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99 Beverage Brothers The team at Curiosity imports sloe berries from the UK and steeps them in Curiosity Gin for several months using an ex-Otago Pinot Noir barrel. The gin is sweetened with natural sugar before bottling. It has ripe berry sweetness on the nose, with a hint of marzipan. Rich, bittersweet fruit in the mouth, yet light on the palate, with juniper undertones.

Curiosity Recipe #23

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Beverage Brothers The single malt base spirit (made from Canterbury grain) used for this gin means the initial aroma immediately calls to mind whisky, rather than gin. But as it opens up, the tell-tale piney juniper quality emerges. It uses 11 botanicals, including mānuka from the East Coast, Gisborne citrus and Otago lavender to create a clean, rounded gin with complex spicy undertones of star anise, cinnamon and cardamom.

Curiosity Ruby Gin

Dancing Sands Lazy Days Lychee

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Federal Merchants Fresh lychee stars in this release from Dancing Sands. Sweet with notes of lychee, golden kiwifruit, oranges, lemons, and syrupy dates.

The fruit profile is surrounded by green notes from lemon and coriander leaf, ending with a long aniseed finish from caraway seeds Dancing Sands Sauvignon Blanc Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Federal Merchants The signature passionfruit, lime, and green apple aromas of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc leap out of this gin from Golden Bay distillery Dancing Sands, alongside hints of juniper and coriander seed. Made from vacuum distilled wine and blended with Dancing Sands Dry Gin botanicals.

Dancing Sands Sun-Kissed

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Federal Merchants Fresh strawberries and rhubarb sourced from the Golden Bay area are infused in Dancing Sands Dry Gin to create a gin that is aromatic and fresh. Candied strawberry notes balance the tart rhubarb character.

Dr Beak Juniperus Gin 2024

48% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99 Tickety-Boo Designed to be a showcase of what juniper can deliver, this gin uses wild-grown Macedonian juniper macerated in neutral spirit for six months. This was distilled with more juniper and a dash of New Zealand-grown orris root. The resulting gin has rich juniper notes, accompanied by floral and earthy undertones that enhance its complexity.

Dr Beak New Zealand Garden Gin

45.5% ABV, 500ml RRP $72.99 Tickety-Boo A fresh, lively gin with a lightly spiced aroma.

Almost savoury on the palate with a touch of horopito spice and herbal character from rosemary and mint, and a lingering juniper finish.

Dr Beak New Zealand Premium Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Beverage Brothers

48% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99 Tickety-Boo

Fresh Otaki rhubarb stalks are infused in Curiosity’s Curious Dry Gin to create this pink version. It has an intense aroma of freshly cut rhubarb leading to a palate of rich stewed rhubarb and a dry, lingering rhubarb finish.

A flavoursome and complex gin from Dr Beak in Martinborough. The slightly higher ABV adds to the intensity. The palate is balanced with earthy spice, fresh citrus, floral notes from lavender, and umami from the kelp in the botanical mix.

Damson Plum Gin

44% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99 National Distillery Company This gin is a collaboration between Napier’s National Distillery Co. and the owners of New Zealand’s largest damson plum orchard. Sharp yet sweet and full of stonefruit aromatics, this is a smooth dry gin with hints of marzipan, cacao and lingering plum notes.

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Dr Beak Haskap Gin Liqueur uses haskap berries, also known as honeyberries, grown near Taihape and infused in Dr Beak’s New Zealand Garden Gin.

Dr Beak Yuzu Garden Gin

45.5% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99 Tickety-Boo This limited release New Zealand Garden Gin has a citrus twist, with flavour amplified by the addition of fresh New Zealand-grown yuzu. A fragrant gin that expresses balanced bitterness with bright citrus and herbaceous notes.

Romance of Village life Captured in a Glass

The

Our most beautifully constructed gins ever are now available for selected cocktail bars and retailers.

See the wholesale page on our website to become an official Greytown Distilling Company reseller.

Greytown Distilling Company 110 Main Street (inside Blackwell & Sons) Greytown, South Wairarapa

www.greytowngin.com

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Dunedin Craft Distillers – Dunedin Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $92 Dunedin Craft Distillers Dunedin Craft Distillers make their base alcohol from surplus bread products. This is a no-nonsense, juniper-forward gin with citrus, coriander and spice on the nose and on the palate; a smooth texture and balanced finish.

Their gins are now also packaged in a Climate Partner certified carbon neutral 700ml bottle.

Dunedin Craft Distillers – The Bay

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $96 Dunedin Craft Distillers Described as a “back to basics” gin by its makers, The Bay features coriander, bay leaf, and lemon in its blend to create a gin with lemon and herbs on the nose and flavours of juniper with a long balanced finish.

Elsewhere Central Otago

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $140 Elsewhere Gin A contemporary dry gin made using Pinot Noir grapes grown in Bannockburn and macerated in a triple gin for a year. This is balanced by wild thyme, and a matagouri blossom enfleurage (a technique to capture fragrant compounds), red cherries and Otago schist rock. Awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Elsewhere Endeavour Inlet

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $140 Elsewhere Gin Endeavour Inlet in Queen Charlotte Sound was home to the botanicals in this dry gin, with its floral and herbaceous notes. A contemporary dry gin with rata flower, rimu fronds, honeysuckle enfleurage, fennel blossom, wakame and mafic metavolcanic marine rock in its diverse line-up.

Elsewhere Fox River

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $140 Elsewhere Gin Botanicals from the West Coast are blended then aged in French oak to express the wild and rugged character of Fox River in this flavoursome gin that uses rata, purple thistle flower, nasturtium and wakame among its botanicals.

Elsewhere Hahei

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $140 Elsewhere Gin A modern dry style gin. Freshly foraged botanicals from Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula create a strong sense of nostalgia in this delicate gin. It has a New Zealand flavour of green spicy herbs, fresh seaside nuance and a blush of pink from coastal hibiscus. A limited-edition triple gin that includes tarata (lemonwood) resin, mānuka blossom, sea lettuce, and eight-million-year-old volcanic rock (ignimbrite) in its creation.

Elsewhere Little River

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $140 Elsewhere Gin Pea-flower blue in the bottle, this contemporary dry gin turns a lavender blush when combined with tonic – a shade that its makers liken to “early mornings at Birdling’s Flat”, a settlement near Little River in Canterbury. Wild foraged tarata blossom combine with delicate herbaceous notes of lemon verbena.

Elsewhere North Canterbury

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $140 Elsewhere Gin This limited-edition triple gin pays tribute to the expressive Rieslings with ripe orange and mandarin flavours for which North Canterbury is famed. This London dry gin captures those qualities with orange blossom, lime leaf, and tangelo peel among the botanicals.

GDC Beekeeper is a new release that combines Greytown mānuka honey, rose petals from Greytown gardens and locally grown Wairarapa lavender.

Elsewhere OGB

45% ABV, 500ml RRP $110 Elsewhere Gin Aromas of wild gooseberries and the weathered baked schist where they grew, are neatly balanced with the tangy fragrance of miro berry and Himalayan juniper. On the palate, this gin is supple and rich, with subtle passionfruit and a tangerine peel zing intertwined with a classic London dry structure and minerality from Lake Pukaki water.

Elsewhere Totaranui

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $140 Elsewhere Gin Fragrant and distinctive with aromas of dried herbs, rosemary, wild flowers and forest honey.

Warm and generous on the palate with flavours that mirror the bouquet. A satin texture with moderate power.

GDC Beekeeper

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $49.90 and 750ml RRP $89.90 Greytown Distilling Co. A new release in the Villager Selection trio, this gin combines Greytown mānuka honey, rose petals from Greytown gardens and locally grown Wairarapa lavender. The addition of a butterfly pea flower creates a pretty colour change when tonic is added.

GDC Fireside

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $49.90 and 750ml RRP $89.90 Greytown Distilling Co. A classic London Dry gin with savoury notes of sandalwood, nutmeg, orange and malted barley. This gin has woodsy, smoky character and evokes a cosy night in front of the fire.

GDC Frostbite

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $49.90 and 750ml RRP $89.90 Greytown Distilling Co. Originally scheduled for a limited release in May 2023, Frostbite has become a GDC fan favourite. The gin was designed to create a frosty mouthfeel – essentially capturing a subzero Greytown frost in the glass – and blends pink peppercorns, garden mint and lemon peel.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

GDC Gardener

GDC SFA

GDC Tweed

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $49.90 and 750ml RRP $89.90 Greytown Distilling Co.

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $29.90 and 750ml RRP $89.90 Greytown Distilling Co.

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $54.90 and 750ml RRP $99.90 Greytown Distilling Co.

One of three brand new releases from Greytown Distilling, this gin was designed to capture the abundance of a Greytown back garden. A fragrant and herbaceous gin with notes of freshly harvested vegetables and classic parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

This gin is part of GDC’s Groundbreaker Selection and pays tribute to the pioneers who established Greytown as New Zealand’s first planned inland European settlement. The Small Farms Association (SFA) called on settlers to plant pasture and crops in Wairarapa’s wild landscapes. An array of botanical extracts including eucalyptus, fennel and orris create a musky, sooty, “drink it-in-the-shed-around-thewood-stove” gin.

This is GDC’s first martini-formulated gin, offering a clean, subtle and sophisticated cocktail experience. Tweed blends old world structure with new world complexity. Spicy heat from cardamom is softened by chamomile and elderflower, while lemon peel citrus notes lurk beneath the surface. Awarded Gold and 95 points at the London IWSC 2024.

GDC Moonglow

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $54.90 and 750ml RRP $99.90 Greytown Distilling Co. The GDC team says that this gin, with its blend of ginger, lime and maple syrup, was inspired by the full moon rising over the Remutuka Range after a fresh fall of snow.

GDC Stagecoach

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $49.90 and 750ml RRP $89.90 Greytown Distilling Co.

A gin that celebrates Greytown’s famed pickyour-own apple tradition. Greytown Braeburn apples, cinnamon and lime create a gin full of harvest flavours.

Stagecoach gin was created to celebrate the skill of the coachmen who traversed the treacherous Remutaka Range to Wellington in the mid-late 19th century, which required an all-day journey. A distinctive, earthy and robust flavour profile with peppery and nutty notes using horopito and a sweet character from Greytown mānuka honey.

GDC Seafarer

GDC Stationmaster

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $49.90 and 750ml RRP $89.90 Greytown Distilling Co.

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $54.90 and 750ml RRP $99.90 Greytown Distilling Co.

A tribute to the tens of thousands of immigrants who made the three-month sea journey from Europe to New Zealand between 1839 and the 1890s. A nautically-inspired London Dry gin with angelica, spicy cinnamon and a hint of foraged kelp from the south coast to provide a taste of the high seas.

Stationmaster Gin pays tribute to the courageous travellers who took the nail-biting train journey up and over the Remutakas to arrive at Woodside, before transferring to Greytown on the connection track. A handful of Greytown’s early settlers brought apple seeds with them from England and Europe and planted the areas surrounding the new township with its first orchards. The gin uses apples from some of those remaining orchards, as well as walnuts and cassia to create a delicate London Dry-style gin.

GDC Orchardist

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $49.90 and 750ml RRP $89.90 Greytown Distilling Co

GDC Settler

42% ABV, 375ml RRP $49.90 and 750ml RRP $89.90 Greytown Distilling Co. Settler is a London Dry gin styled on the traditions of Victorian England. The team at GDC created this as a nod to the “toil and tenacity” of Greytown’s first European families. A traditionalist’s gin that marries spicy coriander with the earthy profile of angelica, ginger and lemon peel for zing, and an herbaceous sage finish.

Good George Doris Plum Gin

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $69 Good George A pink-hued gin with a tart nose that leads to a palate full of tart plum, peppery sweetness, a floral hibiscus note and a hint of cardamom spice.

Good George Lemon Gin

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $69 Good George Made with Gisborne lemons, this gin from Hamilton’s Good George blends classic botanicals with a serious citrus punch.

Good George Original Gin

42.5% ABV, 750ml RRP $69 Good George This was the first gin from Hamilton brewers Good George, launched in 2020. It has aromas of mandarin with a herbal character. The rich palate of juniper and spice leads to a lingering finish.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Aquarius Coconut & Pineapple Pina Colada

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George A bright tropical burst on the nose, with creamy coconut and ripe pineapple. Lush on the palate, delivering a rich combination of coconut creaminess and juicy pineapple.

The sweetness is balanced by earthy, slightly peppery notes from the horopito, a piney note of juniper and light coriander spice.

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Aries Papaya, Lime & Citrus Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George A South American inspired gin with aromas of freshly sliced lime, hints of tangy citrus and undertones of juniper and orange peel. Lush flavours of blood orange and papaya with a delicate mild spice in the background.

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Capricorn Barrel Aged Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George Aged in oak for more than two years, this is a rich and smooth gin with notes of vanilla and mixed spice.

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Gemini Yuzu & Ginger Gin

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Sagittarius Flower Power Gin is full of summertime blooms of jasmine, lavender and chamomile.

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Pisces Chilli & Pineapple Gin

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Virgo Maple Syrup & Sea Salt Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George

Light gold in colour, this gin’s aroma calls to mind a young whisky and has charred pineapple upfront with subtle smoked chipotle.

A sweet pineapple flavour with a touch of spice from the chipotle. Mild pepper and citrus in the background. Awarded Double Gold at the NZ Spirits Awards 2024.

A rich, maple-infused gin balanced with a hint of Marlborough Sea Salt and subtle citrus.

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Sagittarius Flower Power Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George Sagittarius is a summer star sign in New Zealand, and this sweetly floral gin is full of summertime blooms of jasmine, lavender and chamomile. Awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Scorpio Sangria Orange, Apple & Strawberry Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George

A blend of citrusy brightness and warm spice, this Gemini-inspired gin has a tangy and slightly sweet note from the yuzu and a spicy ginger kick.

A vibrant and refreshing fruity, sangriainspired gin. Bright citrus, the juicy sweetness of strawberry and orange, and the herbal backbone create a gin that is approachable and complex.

Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Libra Vanilla, Banana & Honey Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George This gin is a delicate pale gold, thanks to a raw mānuka honey and vanilla infusion. Aromas of honey and banana that persist on the palate.

Creamy vanilla notes with bright citrusy hints of orange peel.

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Good George Zodiac Series 2024 Taurus Balsamic Strawberry Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $55 Good George Sweet and tangy on the nose, this gin has subtle acidity complemented by the sweetness of strawberries and herbal and floral undertones.

Hastings Distillers Albertine

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $97 Mineral There are 38 botanicals in this gin from the distillers of New Zealand’s first Biogro-certified organic spirits and liqueurs. It has a complex perfumed aroma of delicate florals, spice and citrus, which opens up to a palate of exotic spice balanced by a fresh, zesty character.

Serve neat to best appreciate all its layers.

Hastings Distillers Autumn

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $80 Hastings Distillers A perfumed and warmly spiced gin containing nine organic botanicals, this Autumn expression from Hastings Distillers conveys the fragrance of the Hawke’s Bay harvest. Top notes of mandarin, quince and juniper. Cassia bark and fresh tarragon bring warm spice and a touch of anise to the palate.

Hastings Distillers Blossom Parade

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $80 Hastings Distillers A delicately floral and perfumed gin made to celebrate the annual Hastings Blossom Parade.

Top notes of orange blossom, pine needle and rose. A smooth and silky palate combines fresh citrus flavours with exotic flowers and green fruits.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Hastings Distillers East Block

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $85 Mineral Fresh, intense lime on the nose of this certified organic gin leads to a clean and refreshing palate of lime and juniper with a hint of spice.

The lingering finish is of zesty lime.

Hastings Distillers Ignis Fatuus

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $265 Mineral This unique release from Hastings Distillers pays tribute to New Zealand’s ancient kauri forests. Ignis Fatuus is Latin for “foolish flame” and refers to a light that can sometimes be seen rising from swamps or wetlands, caused by combusting gas from decaying plant matter, but also associated with fairies, ghosts or elemental spirits. Ignis Fatuus uses a triple distilled organic Sauvignon Blanc infused with kauri gum, juniper, kawakawa fruit and black cardamom. The Biogro-certified organic gin has lifted sandalwood, peat smoke and grilled citrus notes. An opulent and spicy palate with lingering flavours of bitter orange and resin.

Best served neat.

Hector’s French Farm Petit Pinot Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Beverage Brothers Pinot Noir grapes from vines in French Peak Vineyard on the Banks Pensinula join Syrah, kelp and locally foraged thyme, lavender and lemon myrtle in this gin, which is described as “a taste of Akaroa”. A vibrant, smooth ruby red spirit with notes of a fruit-forward Pinot Noir. Bright, silky and elegant with a dash of spice. Awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Hector’s Little River Lemon Verbena Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Beverage Brothers

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Holland Road

Foraged botanicals including lemon verbena from Little River, kelp, thyme, lavender and lemon myrtle go into this bright citrus gin with herbaceous notes and a hint of peppery spice.

A zingy and vivacious citrus-forward London Dry-style gin with an aromatic nose full of lemon. Bright, fresh and fragrant.

Based on a classic London Dry gin style, this new release from Holland Road features juniper berries, coriander seed and angelica root complemented with locally grown Seville orange, apricots and Morrison’s grapefruit.

Distinct notes of juniper and liquorice with traces of cardamom and a hint of fruity apricot at the finish.

Hector’s Long Harbour Ocean Wash Gin

Holland Road Grapefruit & Kawakawa Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Beverage Brothers

44% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Holland Road

Locally foraged kelp, mānuka, thyme, lavender, and lemon myrtle are blended with classic botanicals to create a dry gin with a slight minerality on the finish.

A smooth and delicate London Dry gin featuring hints of butterscotch and a refreshing balance of citrus notes finishing with a native floral aroma. Handcrafted with seasonal grapefruit zest, raw kānuka honey and native kawakawa.

The Henry NZ Gin London Style

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99 Beverage Brothers A smooth, aromatic, London Dry-style premium gin. Triple distilled with notes of rich juniper, orris root, lemon, orange, and angelica root.

The Henry NZ Gin Wild Cherry

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99 Beverage Brothers A gin with the fresh flavour and aroma of Christmas cherries.

The Henry NZ Gin Watermelon

Holland Road Ginseng & Mānuka Honey Gin

47% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Holland Road An extremely smooth and slightly savoury London Dry gin featuring herbaceous spice and a delicate citrus balance followed by a creamy, candied finish with hints of gooseberry and vanilla. Handcrafted with freshly harvested 10-year-old wild ginseng, raw mānuka honey and green yuzu.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99 Beverage Brothers

Holland Road Sauvignon Blanc & Green Tea

The colour, aroma and taste of fresh watermelon captured in a gin.

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Holland Road

Hector’s Little Akaloa Pink Blossom Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Beverage Brothers Blossoms from Decanter Bay Road in Little Akaloa join thyme, lavender and lemon myrtle gathered by local foragers and blended with classic botanicals to create a fragrant blush pink gin with a delicate and subtle sweet floral finish.

Holland Road Classic

Hastings Distillers’ Ignis Fatuus is a unique release that pays tribute to New Zealand’s ancient kauri forests.

A complex London Dry gin that is beautifully balanced, yet fresh and malic crisp with hints of warm Christmas spice and verdant brightness.

Handcrafted using freshly picked organic green tea, a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc and a hint of fragrant ginger.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Homebody’s creators describe their gins as a tribute to those who enjoy the simple pleasure of a well-crafted gin in their own homes.

Homebody Gathering Gin

Humdinger NZ Sloe Gin

RRP $74.99 Choice Beverages

27.7% ABV, 500ml RRP $79 Humdinger

Homebody’s creators describe their gins as a tribute to those who enjoy the simple pleasure of a well-crafted gin in their own homes. This expression is for get-togethers and is a pink gin full of bright citrus, berries and warm spice.

New Zealand-grown sloe berries are frozen immediately after picking (to help break them down) and then steeped in Humdinger Dry Gin for four months. The gin opens with plum and has a bold juniper body and a long, sweet almond finish.

Homebody Quiet Night Gin

RRP $74.99 Choice Beverages This gin is described as “a reliable mid-week muddler” and combines cardamom, citrus, cloves, liquorice and orange peel for an aromatic gin with lifted citrus notes and spicy warmth.

Humdinger Pink Gin

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Humdinger Flavours of blackcurrant compote and sweet raspberry are followed by a balanced herbal finish in this gin, which is made using local Geraldine fruit.

Humdinger Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin

Humdinger Rangpur Lime Gin

44.9% ABV, 500ml RRP $69 Humdinger

40% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Humdinger

Aged for three months in an ex-Kentucky bourbon barrel from Barton 1792 Distillery, this complex gin has flavours of candied citrus, warm spice and a subtle bourbon body.

Rangpur lime is the star of the show in this gin, which is clean and crisp with sweet mandarin alongside the bright lime note.

Humdinger Citrus Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Humdinger There’s intense orange and lemon on the nose of this fresh and fragrant gin. The citrus intensifies in the mouth and leads to a lingering finish with a hint of ginger.

Humdinger Wild Cherry Gin Liqueur

26.3% ABV, 500ml RRP $59 Humdinger Rich and sweet with a tangy undertone, this liqueur has strong cherry notes over a marzipan background and hints of dried fruit. Ideal for a Cherry Bramble or a Cherry Gin Martini.

imagination Damson Plum Gin Liqueur

32% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 imagination A luscious 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. imagination Navy Strength Gin

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $115 imagination This Navy Strength expression from imagination balances traditional botanicals and a smooth heat of the higher proof spirit. imagination Reikorangi Triple Distilled Dry Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 imagination 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. Lingering juniper and warm spice on the finish. imagination Rhubarb & Raspberry

38% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 imagination This pinky-red gin has layered aromas of tart rhubarb and sweet red berry. A rounded mouthfeel; clean and light with well-balanced rhubarb and berry. A long, dry finish with just a hint of sweetness. imagination Yuzu & Umeboshi Gin Liqueur

28% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 imagination A liqueur made with Japanese umeboshi (plums) and yuzu (citrus). A full plum nectar flavour with a hint of peach and stone fruits.

A soft, sweet citrus finish.

Humdinger Dry Gin

imagination Black Barn Syrah BarrelAged Gin

imagination Wakame Seaweed Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Humdinger

44.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $89 imagination

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 imagination

Aromas of fresh citrus and juniper with subtle spice lead to a complex palate with a hint of sweetness and citrus. Liquorice and resinous juniper emerge, before a warm, delicate finish.

Smooth, bold and balanced.

The imagination team created this barrel-aged expression by ageing their original Dry Gin in French oak barriques that once held Syrah from Hawke’s Bay’s Black Barn Vineyard. Aromas of red fruit, glacé cherries and a hint of sweetness lead to a palate full of peppery Syrah character, oak and red berries, with a long finish.

Wakame seaweed gathered from the Wellington and Wairarapa coast gives this gin its distinctive savoury quality. The aroma is fresh and green with a hint of minerality.

Mouth-filling with a rich savoury note and emerging juniper giving way to citrus lime, leading to a long finish.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Kaimai Distilling’s Sirius’ Find Truffle Gin is infused with Perigord black truffles and an array of complementary herbs including sage, basil and oregano.

Island Gin Navy Strength

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $110 Island Gin An intense expression of Island Gin’s original gin, ideal for cocktails and mixed drinks. It has citrus flavours and a backbone of delicate honeyed sweetness from the mānuka bush honey blends sourced from Great Barrier beekeepers.

Island Gin Original

43.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $95 Island Gin Island Gin is presented in a beautiful kinainspired recycled glass bottle. It’s a citrusforward gin with floral notes alongside juniper and coriander spice. The use of mānuka and bush honey blends from the distillery’s home on Great Barrier Island add depth and a rounded mouthfeel.

Island Gin Tangelo

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $110 Island Gin Fragrant tangelos grown on Great Barrier Island are steeped in Island Gin Original and then redistilled with tangelo blossom and island-grown botanicals. Flavours of honey, spice, citrus and juniper.

Juno Extra Fine Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99 Thirsty Camel The signature gin from New Plymouth distillers Jo and Dave James has a rounded aroma with juniper and lemon zest to the fore. It is elegant and light on the palate with fresh citrus, juniper and delicate orange blossom, and a subtle note of liquorice on the finish.

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Kaimai Distilling Agatha’s Tears Dark Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Kaimai Brewing & Distilling This contemporary gin is named after one of the resident ghosts at the Waikino Hotel near Waihi. Agatha was the ‘Madam’ at the hotel in the early 19th century and legend has it she still roams the halls. The gin is full of robust botanicals, including cardamom, cubeb berries and horopito for complex flavour and a lingering, spicy finish. The gin is black in the bottle, blue in the glass, and pink when you add tonic to serve.

Kaimai Distilling Eliza’s Claim Dry Gin

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Kaimai Brewing & Distilling A contemporary dry style gin from Kaimai Brewing & Distilling in the historic Waikato gold-mining settlement of Waikino. Aromas of rosemary and honey, and a savoury heat that develops on the palate with juicy chilli and herbs, and a lingering spicy finish.

Kaimai Distilling Eliza’s Claim Gold Gin

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Kaimai Brewing & Distilling Gold flakes dance in the bottle of this dry, gold-hued gin. The nose is soft and floral, with honey and sweet green herbs on the palate and a warming finish.

Kaimai Distilling Eliza’s Claim Ruby Gin

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Kaimai Brewing & Distilling This hibiscus-infused gin has soft floral aromas of hibiscus flowers and honey. The hibiscus doesn’t dominate; it balances the floral tones with the other botanicals and creates a pleasant floral-forward middle ground.

Kaimai Distilling Emily’s Garden Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Kaimai Brewing & Distilling This contemporary gin is named after the ghost of a little girl who haunts the grounds at the Waikino Hotel. With the exception of the juniper, Emily’s Garden Gin is crafted entirely from botanicals foraged or grown in the hotel’s grounds The gin is dry with a warming texture and pronounced flavour intensity fronted with sage, basil and kaffir lime.

Kaimai Distilling Sirius’ Find Truffle Gin

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $110 Kaimai Brewing & Distilling This distinctive gin is infused with Perigord black truffles and an array of complementary herbs, including sage, basil and oregano. A beautifully balanced savoury gin and one that truffle lovers won’t want to miss.

Kākāpō Kawakawa & Pink Peppercorn Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $89 Kākāpō Distillery A warming blend of herbal and floral spices, ideal for mixing. This smooth, juniper-forward gin offers a unique, bold and balanced flavour profile. Awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Kākāpō Mānuka Honey & Elderflower Gin

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $89 Kākāpō Distillery This gin combines light floral notes, a soft honeyed sweetness and a strong juniper presence. The addition of the mānuka honey adds a smooth texture.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Kākāpō Rimurimu and Thyme Gin

Last Minute Gin

Lighthouse Gin Hawthorn Edition

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $89 Kākāpō Distillery

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Brandhouse

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.95 Foley Wines

A savoury blend of rimurimu (native kelp) and aromatic thyme that creates a unique “coastal kitchen” character with subtle umami notes and a strong juniper presence.

A hint of citrus and Asian spice on the nose, this gin is refreshing on the palate with citrusforward accents and understated juniper. A light sweetness and crisp finish is enhanced by spice and a hint of liquorice.

A stronger expression of the original Lighthouse Gin, at a higher 57% ABV. The more intense botanical character makes it ideal for classic cocktails.

Karven Dry Gin

40.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $80 Karven This small-batch gin combines classic botanicals with native mānuka flowers and lemon myrtle to create a smooth, citrus-forward expression with lifted flavours of lemon and grapefruit, slight sweetness and a warming undertone of cinnamon.

Koakoa Tīni Rēmana Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $65 The Bond Store The distillers at The Bond Store pay tribute here to New Zealand’s citrus heritage, which dates back to 1819, when the first citrus trees took root in Aotearoa. A zesty, limoncello-style gin, it has aromas of orange and woody cinnamon that lead to fresh lemon flavours with an underlying hit of liquorice and juniper. Sour, sweet and delicate.

Last Minute Citrus Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Brandhouse Crisp kaffir lime and succulent mandarin merge seamlessly with grapefruit peel, passionfruit and lime. A refreshingly dry juniper finish.

Last Minute Pink Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Brandhouse Fresh raspberry, blackcurrant and lime create a lush fruit flavour in this pink gin, which leads to a dry juniper finish.

Lighthouse Barrel Aged Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.95 Foley Wines Lighthouse Gin distiller Rachel Hall spent four years perfecting this gin, which is aged in Pinot Noir barrels from Martinborough Vineyard.

The result is an aromatically fragrant gin with strong juniper and citrus notes and an underlying savoury character.

Little Biddy Gin – Black Label

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $199.99 EuroVintage This gin has a fresh aroma underpinned by the subtle sweetness of caramelised limes. Smooth and rounded on the palate with warm spice, subtle heat from pink peppercorns and fresh lime character.

Little Biddy Gin – Cask Aged (Port)

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $249.99 EuroVintage Little Biddy gin is rested in a rich and flavourful ex-Port oak cask to create a gin infused with notes of rich spiced fruit cake and maple, complemented by citrus and finished with warming clove and cinnamon.

Lighthouse Gin

Little Biddy Gin – Classic

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Foley Wines

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 EuroVintage

A consistently award-winning gin from one of New Zealand’s first craft distillers. Lighthouse uses a blend of 10 botanicals with spring water from Palliser Bay. The gin is smooth and fresh, with notable citrus characteristics from Yen Ben lemon.

This gin by Reefton Distilling Co. has a rich and complex aroma of liquorice, cassia and resinous juniper. It leads to a palate full of West Coast rainforest character with locally foraged Douglas fir, native botanicals and zesty citrus to boot.

Kākāpō Kawakawa & Pink Peppercorn Gin is a warming blend of herbal and floral spices and was awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Little Biddy Gin – Hazy Spiced Apple

Makan’s Blueberry Gin

Mothers Ruined Citrus Gold

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 EuroVintage

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Makan Distiller

42.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Mothers Ruined

There’s a warm and familiar taste of apple pie, intertwined with the tartness of freshly picked apple, fresh ginger, and nutmeg in this gin. The layers of flavour come from naturally pressed apple juice.

An infusion of New Zealand blueberries gives this gin a juicy blueberry hue and lush palate. It is triple charcoal filtered at the finish.

Makan’s Original Gin

The range from Mothers Ruined is cleverly packaged in recyclable paperboard bottles. The Citrus Gold bursts with sweet grapefruit, Pink Lady apple and a secret garden botanical the distillers won’t reveal.

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Makan Distiller

Mothers Ruined Fruity Ruby

Little Biddy Gin – Pink

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 EuroVintage Little Biddy’s popular Pink expression has been reworked using New Zealand cherries. It’s a bright gin with sweet citrus and subtle floral notes on the nose. It has a palate of warming spice followed by the complex sweetness and depth of the cherry fruit.

Little Biddy Gin – Rose Gold

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $118.99 EuroVintage A light, bright gin with subtle sweetness from caramelised lime, floral notes of honeydew melon, lemon drop lollies and hibiscus combined with fresh pine. Rich earthiness unfolds from fresh walnuts and malted barley grain spirit. The botanical blend includes toatoa, watercress and kahikatea foraged from the rainforest surrounding Reefton’s West Coast distillery.

Little Biddy Gin – Summer

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 EuroVintage A smooth palate of juniper, citrus (thanks to fresh oranges and lemons) and ginger delivers a light and refreshing gin with a sweet finish from the addition of local West Coast rata honey.

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The signature expression from Makan’s is triple charcoal filtered and uses natural botanical flavours and an infusion of New Zealand mānuka honey for a hint of sweetness.

42.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Mothers Ruined The addition of raspberry, rose, Pink Lady® apple and hibiscus creates a floral, fruity and softly scented gin in a pretty shade of pink.

Mothers Ruined Ginger Emerald

The range from Mothers Ruined is cleverly packaged in recyclable paperboard bottles.

42.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Mothers Ruined This green gin combines the heat of gingers with a subtle caramel note. Add tonic to change the gin to a delicate lilac-pink.

Mothers Ruined Original

42.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Mothers Ruined Vanilla, pineapple and coconut combine with classic botanicals for a a London Dry style gin that its makers describe as: “dreamy and creamy; a cheeky nod to the Piña colada”.

Mt Fyffe Shearwater

Makan’s Pomegranate Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Makan Distiller Makan’s Original Gin is infused with New Zealand-grown pomegranate for a subtle sweetness and fruity tang, then finished with triple charcoal filtration.

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $95 Mt Fyffe Distillery A tribute to the Kaikōura coastline and the flight path of the Hutton shearwater endemic to the area. Shearwater Gin combines karengo seaweed with high country rosehip and blue borage to create a fresh, oceanic gin.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Mt Fyffe Woolshed

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $95 Mt Fyffe Distillery Distiller Justine Schroder has described this gin as a journey through the sheep farm in Kaikōura where she and her family live on the foothills of Mt Fyffe. It pairs earthy tones from the kanuka hedges that protect stock, with floral elderflower found near the lamb pens and fresh mint from the garden. A boldly botanical gin.

NDC National Distillery Company Adorn Beauty Gin

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99 National Distillery Company This gin was inspired by botanicals found in luxury New Zealand skincare. It’s a delicately floral gin that uses native flax seed, rose petals, organic rosehip and chamomile. A balanced botanical gin with hints of sweetness and lingering florals.

NDC National Distillery Company Adorn Rosé Beauty Gin

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99 National Distillery Company A pretty pink expression of the original Adorn Beauty Gin (above), this version has the addition of rosewater to further enhance the lush floral character.

NDC National Distillery Company Art Deco Gin

NDC National Distillery Company Bloody Syrah Gin 2022

NDC National Distillery Company New Zealand Heritage Gin

44% ABV, 750ml RRP $99 National Distillery Company

42% ABV, 750ml RRP $89.99 National Distillery Company

A limited edition gin created in honour of winemaker and Clearview Estate co-founder Tim Turvey, this is deep in colour and full of tannins and oak characteristics.

A lightly crushed blend of Himalayan and Macedonian juniper leads a very classic London Dry bouquet. Light notes of citrus and New Zealand kauri gum are bright and upfront, while native flax seed and home-grown walnut bring a creamy, oily mouthfeel.

NDC National Distillery Company Flamboyance Pink Dry Gin

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99 National Distillery Company

NDC National Distillery Company Meow Lucky Gin

A deep pink gin that has been designed to stand out on the shelf and in the glass. Dry and citrus-forward.

44% ABV, 750ml RRP $79.99 National Distillery Company

NDC National Distillery Company Grass & Leaf Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95 National Distillery Company A classic juniper-forward gin with a juicy, sweet burst of Hawke’s Bay lemon peel and lemongrass, leading to a distinctive and fragrant kaffir lime spice.

NDC National Distillery Company Hemp Gin

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99 National Distillery Company Toasted hemp hearts (the inner seed of the hemp plant) and lashings of Hawke’s Bay lemon peel give this unique gin its distinctive smoky, toasted character and fresh citrus note.

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $84.99 National Distillery Company Lemon, lime and orange grown in Hawke’s Bay adds lush citrus bursts to this classic London Dry-style gin. Elegant and fresh. 15% of profits from Art Deco Gin are donated to Napier’s Art Deco Trust.

A dry gin inspired by Asian cuisine. Juniper leads, with notes of lush, sweet yuzu, Sichuan pepper and gingko leaf. Delivers a punch of heat that leaves a tingle on the palate.

NDC National Distillery Company New Zealand Dry Gin

44% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99 National Distillery Company A classic, juniper-led dry gin. With a supporting duo of lemon peel, this is an approachable, versatile easy-drinking dry gin from Napier’s National Distillery Company. Awarded Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

NDC National Distillery Company New Zealand Native Gin

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 National Distillery Company A contemporary style gin with native botanicals – a peppery zing from kawakawa and lush sweetness from karamu (a shrub with edible red berries) give this flavoursome gin a unique character.

National Distillery Company Adorn Beauty Gin is a delicately floral gin that uses native flax seed, rose petals, organic rosehip and chamomile.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

NDC National Distillery Company Old Navy Gin

58% ABV, 700ml RRP $109.99 National Distillery Company Inspired by a classic, juniper-led London Dry gin bouquet, this gin features lemon peel and native New Zealand flax seed. Traditional pine and citrus notes are enhanced by New Zealand orris root. Awarded Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

NDC National Distillery Company Pearl Barrel Aged Spiced Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95 National Distillery Company Pearl Gin was created as an ode to the seafarers of the Port of Ahuriri in Napier, close to the National Distillery Co’s HQ. It is a classic London Dry botanical recipe with the addition of flavours found in spiced aged rum, such as anise, vanilla, liquorice. The gin is aged in ex-rum barrels for more toasted notes and further rum complexity and the addition of seaweed adds slight sweetness and a unique minerality.

NDC National Distillery Company The Reserve Chardonnay Gin 2022

44% ABV, 750ml RRP $130 National Distillery Company Created as a hat-tip to Hawke’s Bay winemaker and Clearview Estate co-founder Tim Turvey, this gin has been handcrafted to exemplify the ultimate 90’s Chardonnay: big, bold and full of buttery oak. Aged in an ex-Clearview 2013 Reserve Chardonnay oak barrel.

NDC National Distillery Company Verdigris Dry Gin

44% ABV, 750ml RRP $79.99 National Distillery Company An approachable easy-drinking London Dry-style gin with lemon peel and native New Zealand flax seed (harakeke). It has classic pine and citrus character with underlying depth from New Zealand orris root.

No.8 Cherry Sloe Gin

No.8 Moka Gin

30% ABV, 700ml RRP $89 No.8 Distillery

38% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 No.8 Distillery

Cherry Sloe Gin from Dunedin’s No.8 Distillery is a collaboration with Judge Rock winery in Alexandra, with the gin aged for three months in Porto casks.

Described as a “breakfast gin”, this release from No.8 comes at you in three waves: cold brew coffee, chocolate and citrus. It has a rich aroma with a hint of butterscotch, is smooth on the palate with roasted coffee bean character and has a lingering coffee finish with a hint of sweetness.

No.8 Dunners Dry Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 No.8 Distillery A basketful of native New Zealand and classic Mediterranean botanicals combine to create this fresh, herbaceous gin with its long citrus finish.

Papaiti Whanganui Dry Gin has pink peppercorn, mint, almond, lemon peel and orange peel in its line-up and was awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

No.8 Hibiscus Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 No.8 Distillery An Asian-inspired gin full of gorse flower, kaffir lime and hibiscus. Sweet, tart and exotic with notes of coconut, cinnamon and papaya and a lingering hibiscus finish.

No.8 Horopito Fire Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 No.8 Distillery Native horopito adds an intense heat to this gin, which opens with aromas of orange and warm spice. Cardamom and cinnamon continue on the palate with a hit of zesty lemon amidst the bush pepper.

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Papaiti Mountains to Sea Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $89 Papaiti Gin This gin from Whanganui distillery Papaiti Gin uses native botanicals to reflect the journey of the Whanganui River, Te Awa Tupua. Horopito represents the mountains, mānuka leaf the river and rimurapa (bull kelp) the sea. These are distilled with orchard pears, grapefruit peel, lime peel and other traditional gin botanicals.

Papaiti Orchard Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $89 Papaiti Gin A single-shot distilled gin using traditional and native botanicals such as juniper, coriander, orris root, kawakawa leaves, nutmeg, and orchard pears.

Papaiti Potager Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $89 Papaiti Gin A citrus-forward gin with floral notes and a unique flavour profile reminiscent of a French kitchen garden. Traditional gin botanicals are joined by an array of citrus (lemon, orange, grapefruit) as well as basil, nettle, and rosehip.

Papaiti Whanganui Dry Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $89 Papaiti Gin This London Dry-style gin adds contemporary botanicals for a modern twist on a classic with pink peppercorn, mint, almond, lemon peel and orange peel in the line-up. Awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Six years into our distilling adventure, we imagined a new bottle, distinctively our own.

Same delicious gin, strikingly different shelf presence.

JUST THE UNUSUAL

HANDCRAFTED NEW ZEALAND GIN ORDERS: North Island orders@imaginationgin.nz

South Island orders@punkydistro.com

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Rifters Blue Gold is named for one of the rarest forms of gold and was inspired by the gold miners who explored the glacial rivers of Arrowtown.

Reefton Flavour Gallery Gin Series Citrus Sunset

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 EuroVintage

Reid + Reid Rev Dawson’s Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

Rifters Quartz

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Federal Merchants A line-up of botanicals including Douglas fir, wild thyme and elderberries makes this gin like a forest walk. A fresh, clean aroma and a smooth palate of juniper, spice, pine and citrus.

Awarded Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Rogue Society Signature Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99 Hancocks

Reefton Distilling Co.’s Flavour Gallery Series was created to “explore the boundaries of flavour with more extravagant flavour combinations than are typical within the world of traditional gins.” The citrus expression is a classic gin infused with rich blood orange, pink grapefruit and ripe peaches.

This gin is named after one of New Zealand’s leading Prohibitionists, who also happens to be the great-great-grandfather of Reid + Reid’s Stewart and Chris Reid. It has a juniper-forward aroma with underlying woody spice leading to a light, clean palate full of juniper, zesty citrus and a subtle peppery character. A classic dry style.

Reefton Flavour Gallery Gin Series HPH

Reid + Reid Zesty Lemon Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 EuroVintage

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

The ‘HPH’ in this release in the Flavour Gallery Series stands for: “Honey, Pear and Hops”. The Reefton team has layered the gin with rātā and mānuka honey, pear and a twist of Amarillo and Mosaic hops for added complexity.

A fresh and vibrant citrus-forward gin with piney juniper over herbal and zesty lemon characters thanks to lemon peel, lemongrass and lemon myrtle in the botanical mix. A touch of vanilla rounds out the palate.

Reefton Flavour Gallery Gin Series Rose Ripple

Rifters Blue Gold

This gin from Elemental Distillers is made from sustainable neutral base spirit, with organic hops from Motueka, Gisborne grapefruit zest, Hawke’s Bay coriander seed and wild gorse flower from Marlborough. It has a juniperforward palate followed by a fresh grapefruit and hop zest balanced with aromas of kawakawa and gorse. It finishes long and clean with a silky mouthfeel and lingering coriander.

Awarded Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

40.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Federal Merchants

Roots Rosso Pinot Noir

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 EuroVintage This pink hued gin is enhanced by Hawke’s Bay Rosé, boysenberry and vanilla to create a complex modern gin with a delicate sweetness.

Reid + Reid NZ Native Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks A dry gin with a fresh, peppery aroma thanks to horopito and kawakawa. A rounded, smooth mouthfeel and a warming finish.

Blue Gold is one of the rarest forms of gold and this limited release gin was inspired by the gold miners who explored the glacial rivers of Arrowtown. A bold botanical gin, small batch distilled with the addition of lemongrass, kaffir lime, Szechuan pepper and butterfly pea flower.

Rifters Original Dry Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Federal Merchants A complex gin with spicy depths. Rounded and pleasingly oily on the palate with balanced warming spice, liquorice and fresh citrus. The finish is dry with resinous juniper and a hint of wood.

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A fresh, vibrant gin with juniper upfront, leading to a palate full of fresh coriander, citrus, floral angelica, preserved grapefruit and delicate orris finish.

Roots Marlborough Dry Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $96.99 Proof & Company

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $96.99 Proof & Company A London Dry style gin married with organically certified Marlborough Pinot Noir. A rich, off-dry spirit with a bold Pinot Noir nose of dark fruit and rich iris flowers. Flavours of ripe strawberries and warming spice reminiscent of a sweet vermouth. Awarded Double Gold and the Trophy for Best Overall in Category (Gin Flavoured) at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Roots Norwester Navy Strength

54.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.99 Proof & Company A Navy-strength bottling of the award- winning Roots Marlborough Dry Gin. The higher ABV makes it ideal for cocktails and mixed drinks.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Rose & Twig Blood Orange

Sandymount Chapter Four Gin

Sandymount Winter Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 The Premium Liquor Co.

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $90 Wag & Co.

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 Wag & Co.

An orange-rose hued gin with a juicy, bittersweet aroma of blood oranges. The flavour leans more toward candied grapefruit peel with a touch of cardamom and a prickle of juniper throughout.

Sandymount Distiller Richard Wilson says his Chapter series represents memory and connection to place. He describes Chapter Four as revisiting a teenage memory of fishing in Otago Harbour on Christmas Eve each year with two good friends. The gin is made with three species of kelp from the Otago Harbour: wakame, bladder kelp and ulma. A coastal gin full of salinity, umami, and bright zesty notes.

A gin designed to evoke the essence of herbal remedies and spices used to combat winter chills. It features nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, rosemary, horopito and citrus. A rich palate of spicy warmth, citrusy brightness, and a smooth lingering finish.

Rose & Twig Blueberry

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 The Premium Liquor Co. Natural butterfly pea gives this gin its distinctive indigo hue, while blueberries add a bittersweet fruit character. Adding tonic or lemonade will change the colour to a deep pink.

Rose & Twig Pomegranate

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 The Premium Liquor Co. A dry English-style gin with subtle integration of pomegranate floral notes to create a distinctive pink expression.

Sandymount Blackberry Gin Liqueur

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 Wag & Co. This release from Dunedin distillery Sandymount uses fresh blackberries picked from the sides of the steep, grassy hills around the distillery to create a warm, spicy richness in this English-style gin liqueur.

Sandymount Lovers Leap Dry was awarded Gold and the Trophy for Best Overall in Category (Gin London Dry) at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Sandymount Ladybird Navy Gin

54.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 Wag & Co. Described as a “bomb of garden bliss”, this higher strength gin uses rose petals, pink peppercorn, rosemary, and a splash of Valencia orange in its botanical line-up. A strong juniper-forward character with a light spice mid-palate and lingering floral notes.

Sandymount Lovers Leap Dry Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 Wag & Co.

Sandymount The Woodcutter Barrel Aged Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 Wag & Co. This gin takes its inspiration from the native bush tracks and pine forests on the grounds of Sandymount distillery on the Otago Peninsula.

The fresh citrus and aromatic pine flavours of gin mingle with the spice and red fruit notes of central Otago Pinot Noir oak barrels. A golden gin with subtle depth and fragrant complexity.

Scapegrace Black

41.6% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

A smooth, dry gin with subtle juniper, light floral botanicals and a sweet citrus finish.

Awarded Gold and the Trophy for Best Overall in Category (Gin London Dry) at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

This naturally black gin changes colour when mixed with tonic. It has aromas of juniper and earthy notes with a hint of sweetness that lead to a palate full of floral character, crisp and with citrus and a touch of spice. The finish is sweet and earthy.

Sandymount Ti Kōuka Forest Gin

Scapegrace Blood Orange

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $75 Wag & Co.

41.6% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

A gin inspired by Sandymount Distillery’s icon, the Tī Kōuka tree, with botanicals including kawakawa, horopito, tarata, Tī Kōuka, mānuka, and harakeke seed. The kawakawa aroma rolls into earthy, savoury notes from the Tī Kōuka bark. On the palate there’s a sweetness from the harakeke and mānuka with hints of fresh cut grass and pine nuts.

Dubbed ‘Blood Moon’, this release from Scapegrace is distilled with New Zealand blood oranges, fresh raspberries and kaffir lime.

Bright and tropical aroma, textural and juicy on the palate, leaving a dry, crisp and slightly sweet finish with lingering citrus oils and tropical notes.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Scapegrace Classic

Strange Nature

Thistle Dew Gin

42.2% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Federal Merchants

40% ABV, 750ml RRP $79.99 National Distillery Company

Using 12 botanicals and Southern Alps water, this gin has intense aromas of juniper, orange peel and deep spice. Juniper and citrus lead on the palate, which is crisp but smooth.

A grape-based gin made from the alcohol extracted from Giesen’s 0% alcohol Sauvignon Blanc. The gin’s Sauvignon Blanc origins are evident – it is aromatic and fruity; part tropical and zesty, part herbaceous. Notes of fresh pineapple, candied grapefruit and a touch of kaffir lime and blood orange along with piney juniper, blackcurrant leaf and fresh green pepper. Awarded Double Gold and the Trophy for Best Overall in Category (Gin Contemporary/Navy Strength) at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

A gin created by one of National Distillery Company’s distillers, Sean Hughes, this gin heroes Hawke’s Bay mandarin, coastal seaweed, fresh green peppercorns and milk thistle seeds.

Scapegrace Gold

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $125 Hancocks A juniper-forward style, this gin features a sweetness thanks to three layers of citrus (orange, lemon and tangerine).

The Source Pinot Noir Barrel Aged Gin

47% ABV, 750ml RRP $156 Cardrona Distillery This gin is aged in Central Otago Pinot Noir seasoned oak, adding a hint of blush to the colour and complexity and richness to the flavour.

Sundown Black Doris Plum

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Premium Liquor Co.

The Source Pure Cardrona Gin

This mid-pink small batch gin uses a blend of five botanicals and is naturally flavoured with Black Doris plum. It has a plummy aroma with a marzipan character, fruity palate and soft finish.

47% ABV, 750ml RRP $125 Cardrona Distillery

Sundown Original Dry Gin

Aromas of juniper and citrus are balanced with an almost perfumed note. On the palate, this vapour-distilled gin is delicate, fresh and zesty, with the addition of seasonal locally foraged rosehip (first brought to the Cardrona Valley by Chinese immigrants) adding a regional character.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Premium Liquor Co.

Stil Gin

Sundown Grapefruit & Elderflower

37% ABV, 1L RRP $56.99 Premium Liquor Co.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Premium Liquor Co.

Notes of pine-laden juniper and coriander sit alongside peppery undertones, topped with a hint of citrus.

This gin has an almost rose-gold hue and a lusciously intense grapefruit aroma. The juicy citrus continues in the mouth with a delicate floral note from the elderflower. Lingering grapefruit on the finish with underlying florals.

A juniper-forward gin in a classic dry style that uses kawakawa and horopito extracts.

Aromas of zesty lime and lemon with a hint of floral. The palate is rounded with juniper and cardamom and the finish is light and refreshing.

Strange Nature was awarded Double Gold and the Trophy for Best Overall in Category (Gin Contemporary/ Navy Strength) at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

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Twelfth Hour Dry Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $83.99 Twelfth Hour Distillery Kaffir lime (makrut) grown by the mother of Twelfth Hour’s Master Distiller in her home garden is at the heart of this fresh gin. It has a clean, crisp aroma and an initial hit of makrut on the palate, leading to a long dry finish.

Vibrant and refreshing.

The Vicar’s Son Ascension

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $134 The Vicar’s Son This elegant and refreshing contemporary gin has a fresh, light juniper aroma, accompanied by subtle grapefruit and hop notes. Soft and smooth on the palate with a long finish. The grapefruit and hops marry beautifully with the pepperiness of the juniper.

The Vicar’s Son The Good Place

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $134 The Vicar’s Son Aromas of juniper, mandarin and chocolate lead to a dry gin on the palate with a beautiful, soft mouthfeel. Balanced, bold flavours of juniper, mandarin, chocolate and a hint of vanilla lead into a long finish.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

The Vicar’s Son Holy Spirit Navy Strength

57% ABV, 500ml RRP $99 The Vicar’s Son Distiller Stewart Martel says they thought the saffron in the original Holy Spirit gin might shine more at 57% ABV, hence this Navy Strength version. It has aromas of juniper, honey, berries, spice and subtle floral notes.

In the mouth it is very smooth and full with restrained alcohol. Intense fruit and spice from pink pepper is supported by juniper, the nectar of the rosemary flowers, spice and a burst of saffron with a very long finish.

The Vicar’s Son Saint George was created in memory of the co-owners’ greyhound, George, and it won Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Vicar’s Son Without Sin

Waiheke Distilling Red Ruby

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $139 The Vicar’s Son

ABV 42%, 200ml RRP $42, 500ml RRP $78, 700ml RRP $98 Waiheke Distilling

The Vicar’s Son Revelation

The first impression comes from the exceptionally pure base alcohol note (distiller Stewart Martel makes his own base spirit from barley, distilled to 96% ABV), followed by lemon and cardamom, then juniper and lime.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $139 The Vicar’s Son

Victor Gin

Clean juniper marries with lemon, lime and ginger on the nose of this gin. A clean and crisp London Dry style that is soft on the palate with a very full mouthfeel and intense citrus and ginger flavour, carried by subtle pepper notes through to a lingering finish.

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $85 Thomson

The Vicar’s Son Saint George

Victor Lime Leaf

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $139 The Vicar’s Son

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $90.50 Thomson

Stewart and Lucie of The Vicar’s Son created this gin in memory of their greyhound, George, who died after a battle with bone cancer. (It is his silhouette that appears on the bottles.)

The couple already donate 5% of their sales to greyhound welfare and other animal causes and for this gin they are donating $35 of the purchase price to animal charities. The array of botanicals in this gin includes New Zealandgrown white lotus flower, clover, rosehip, Taiheke hops, angelica, liquorice, cassia bark, pink pepper, lemonade lemon, poppy seeds, vanilla, cocoa husks, and a secret addition.

Awarded Gold at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Lifted, zesty lime notes pour out of this gin, which is based on the original Victor Gin by Thomson. The lime character continues on the palate alongside resinous juniper and pairs beautifully with the lemongrass and coriander botanicals. A fresh lime finish.

A citrus freshness accompanies the juniper on the nose in this gin, while the palate is delicate, clean and refreshing with notes of lemon, lemongrass, cardamom and coriander.

Waiheke Distilling London Dry

ABV 42%, 200ml RRP $42, 500ml RRP $78, 700ml RRP $98 Waiheke Distilling

An infusion of ripe New Zealand cherries sweeten this otherwise dry gin. Smooth, with delicate sweetness, orange and warm spiced cinnamon on the palate.

Waiheke Distilling Spirit of Waiheke

ABV 42%, 200ml RRP $42, 500ml RRP $78, 700ml RRP $98 Waiheke Distilling A contemporary dry gin that pays homage to its island provenance with a coastal freshness on the nose. Distilled with giant kelp, citrus and a hint of spice. Clean lingering finish with subtle lime.

Waiheke Distilling Unchartered Barrel Aged

58% ABV, 500ml RRP $200 Waiheke Distilling Aged for nine months in a Passage Rock Syrah barrel, this Navy Strength gin has notes of piney juniper, orange, vanilla, dark fruits and hints of oak and liquorice. A blend of caramelised toffee, citrus and warm spice on the palate. Full-bodied and smooth with a warm, lingering finish. Awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

This is Waiheke Distilling’s “island take” on a classic London Dry. Aromatic and juniper forward, with notes of lemon and Seville orange. The inclusion of macadamia provides an enriching mouth feel, and pink peppercorn adds a spicy warmth.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Weekender Classic Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95 Blush Gin Versatile and easy to drink, with highlights of savoury spice notes. A subtle twist on a traditional dry gin.

Weekender Lemon Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95 Blush Gin A lively and citrus-forward gin – zesty, crisp and refreshing, balanced by juniper and spice.

Weekender Orange Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95 Blush Gin Vibrant and full of the zing of fresh cut Navel oranges; citrus-forward with classic juniper and spice notes.

Weekender Peach Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.95 Blush Gin Weekender Peach Gin combines the sweet juicy tang and light acidity of stone fruit with a delicate floral note alongside juniper and spice.

Four Pillars Olive Leaf has a savoury quality that makes it ideal for a dirty Martini or Spanish-inspired gin and tonic.

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AUSTRALIA Archie Rose Distilling Co. Signature Dry Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79 Hancocks This gin features eight individually distilled botanicals, including sunrise lime and Geraldton waxflower, both native to Western Australia, and Dorrigo Pepperleaf sourced from Northern NSW. Aromatics of lime, citrus and pepper join a solid juniper backbone, while flavours of stonefruit, fresh garden herbs, pine and subtle eucalyptus are rich and expressive with a persistent and lingering finish.

Cape Byron Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $77 Mineral An Australian interpretation of a classic London Dry Gin, this gin is distilled with 25 botanicals, 17 of which are native to the Cape Byron rainforest in New South Wales.

Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin

37.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Lion With wine-producing Yarra Valley as their home, the team at Four Pillars take advantage of the local product and steep Shiraz grapes in their Rare Dry Gin to create this unique expression. It has aromas of fresh pine needles and spice, and a peppery, dense raspberry character. The palate is sweet, with long juniper and spice characters to finish. It is unfiltered and bottled a deep purple that turns iridescent pink when mixed with tonic or soda.

Four Pillars Fresh Yuzu Gin

41.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Lion A bright and aromatic dry gin made with Australian-grown yuzu, which adds fresh citrus notes, accompanied by deeper citrus character from finger lime. Ginger, turmeric and sencha genmaicha (a Japanese green tea with roasted brown rice) bring depth of flavour.

Four Pillars Navy Strength

58.8% ABV, 500ml RRP $84.99 Lion Native finger limes, fresh ginger and turmeric are added to the mix in this Navy Strength expression from Four Pillars. It has lifted aromatics of lime curd, pine needles, and fragrant spices with a vanilla character. The palate is intense but clean.

Four Pillars Olive Leaf

43.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Lion This gin uses olive leaf and oil sourced from Cobram Estate in northern Victoria, along with coriander seed, rosemary, bay leaf, lemon myrtle, macadamia, lemon and grapefruit. It has a savoury quality and is ideal for a dirty Martini or Spanish-inspired gin and tonic.

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin

41.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Lion Described as “a truly modern Australia gin”, this is a classic dry gin that combines spice and citrus. Cinnamon and star anise add rich fruitcake tones, Tasmanian pepperberry leaf creates warmth and lemon myrtle is a delicate alternative to lemon peel. Whole oranges used in the blend offer a highly aromatic nose and palate that supports the spicy botanicals.

Four Pillars Spiced Negroni

43.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Lion A gin designed specifically for use in a Negroni cocktail. This tailored offering from Four Pillars is highly aromatic, rich and spicy. Botanicals such as grains of paradise and Indonesian cubeb give it the weight to stand up to the punchy flavours of a classic Negroni.

Aotearoa’s Greenest Gin, now

Aotearoa's Best London Dry

For orders, contact

orders@wagandco.nz www.wagandco.nz

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Papa Salt Coastal Gin is distilled in Byron Bay and designed to celebrate native Australian botanicals and long summer days.

Ink Gin

Prohibition Bathtub Cut Gin

Prohibition Original Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Proof & Company

69% ABV, 500ml RRP $149.99 Thirsty Camel

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $135.99 Thirsty Camel

This gin pours a striking light indigo colour and transforms to brilliant violet when tonic is added. Butterfly pea is the key to the colourchanging trick and makes its presence felt in the gin with a subtle herbal note alongside the warm spice, pepper and zesty citrus from lemon myrtle leaf and sweet orange peel.

Designed for cocktails at a punchy 69% ABV, this gin has a bold nose of vanilla and juniperspice, herbaceous tones and floral notes. The palate leads with a confectionery junipercome-aniseed flavour with a warm finish of cinnamon and almond nuttiness.

Wormwood (better known for creating absinthe) is amongst the botanicals in this gin, which has a fresh citrus edge from blood orange and ruby red grapefruit. Australian native lemon myrtle and subtle notes of green tea, vanilla and lavender soften the warm, peppery finish.

Ink Sloe & Berry Gin

26% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Proof & Company A jammy gin, all-natural and steeped with sloe and seasonal red berries, plums and native Australian rosella flowers, imparting rhubarb notes.

Melbourne Gin Company Dry Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $74.99 Hancocks Melbourne Dry is described as “a classic gin with a twist of Melbourne”. Classic juniper, coriander, angelica, orris and cassia are joined by grapefruit peel and rosemary from the distillery’s garden at Gembrook Hill Vineyard in the Yarra Valley. Other “locals” are macadamia, sandalwood, honey lemon myrtle and organic Navel orange.

Papa Salt Coastal Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $91.99 Tickety-Boo A gin created by five friends, distilled in Byron Bay, and designed to celebrate native Australian botanicals and long summer days.

Zesty wax flower, hibiscus and citrus peel join nutty wattleseed, the mild spice of pink peppercorn and an unmistakable minerality from a hint of oyster shell.

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Prohibition Blood Orange Gin

44% ABV, 500ml RRP $113.99 Thirsty Camel A citrus-forward gin using blood oranges sourced from a single South Australian orchard, with lemons and mandarins for citrus contrast and depth. Strawberry gum, chamomile and cinnamon myrtle enhance the floral characteristics.

Prohibition Juniperus

48% ABV, 500ml RRP $107.99 Thirsty Camel Juniper is distilled whole, crushed, macerated, and vapour infused to attain the highest possible level of complexity and depth in this gin. Grains of Paradise and cassia bark add warmth and structure. Riverland citrus provides lift, softened by vanilla and macadamia.

Prohibition Moonlight Gin

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $112.99 Thirsty Camel Described as “an homage to all things flourishing under the cover of darkness” this gin combines cold distilled Pink Lady apple with native Australian blood limes and rare red juniper. Black goji, clove, hibiscus, and sandalwood nut all add to the complexity.

Prohibition Navy Strength

58% ABV, 500ml RRP $132.99 Thirsty Camel An intense gin with a salty aroma that gives way to notes of native lime and seagrass. Hints of sweetness on the palate from macadamia and vanilla leading to a lifted finish of ginger, grapefruit peel and salt.

JAPAN Etsu Double Orange Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Tickety-Boo Distilled at the Akita Distillery on Honshu Island, this gin is macerated for seven days using traditional botanicals such as Japanese bitter orange peel, juniper berries and liquorice root. It has aromas of orange, yuzu and lemon with a fresh, rounded finish.

Etsu Double Yuzu Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Tickety-Boo A fresh citrus gin with intense yuzu and lemon on the nose and in the mouth. The finish is rounded, fresh and supple.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Etsu Gin

Ukiyo Japanese Blossom Gin

Peddler’s Shanghai Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Tickety-Boo

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

45.7% ABV, 750ml RRP $74.99 Tickety-Boo

Made on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, this gin has floral and vegetal aromas, with persistent notes of yuzu. It’s fresh and wellbalanced on the palate, peppery with hints of green teas and berries. Sansho pepper on the finish with yuzu aromas.

Described as “the world’s first Shangai craft gin”, Peddler’s is a vapour-infused gin using Sichuan pepper, Buddha’s hand (a type of citrus) and lotus flower.

Etsu Pacific Ocean Gin

This gin was designed to capture the cherry blossom aromas that surround the distillery’s home in Kagoshima. A base of locally-grown barley is distilled into a traditional shōchū spirit and combined with juniper, regional citrus, local cherry blossom and native botanicals. It has notes of cherry blossom, orange, Parma violet, coriander and woody spice.

45% AVB, 700ml RRP $89.99 Tickety-Boo

Ukiyo Tokyo Dry Gin

Fresh mountain water and sea water from the Sea of Japan are added to the botanical line-up in this gin, designed to evoke the Japanese coastline. It has a fresh aroma with a salty character that continues on the palate, balanced with yuzu. A silky finish.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

Nikka Coffey Gin

A classic ‘Tokyo Dry Gin’ featuring 11 botanicals including yuzu, mikan (orange citrus), Sakura (cherry blossom) and sansho (pepper). This expression celebrates Japan’s diverse terroir and the tastes of the Japanese harvest.

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore

Ukiyo Yuzu Citrus Gin

Distilled at Miyagikyo distillery in Japan, this is a complex gin using a combination of 11 different botanicals and boasts a silky texture of Coffey distillates. A bright and zesty aroma from four kinds of Japanese citrus (Yuzu, Kabosu, Amanatsu and Shequasar) complements the traditional gin botanicals.

There is also a touch of apple, followed by tangy hints of green Japanese Sansho pepper on the finish.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks

Roku

CHINA

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99, 1L RRP $94.99 Suntory Global Spirits Six Japanese botanicals (sakura leaf, sakura flower, gyokuro tea, sencha tea, sanshō pepper and yuzu) are distilled individually then blended with eight traditional gin botanicals to create Roku. It has aromas of juniper, with spicy pepper and an undertone of green tea. Smooth on the palate with fresh yuzu citrus giving way to intense pepper spice with a hint of green tea. Awarded Double Gold at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

The same shōchū spirit as in the Cherry Blossom gin (above) is redistilled with juniper, yuzu, regional citrus and botanicals for a gin designed to honour the 1500-year-old tradition of cultivating and harvesting yuzu in Japan.

The tart, fragrant notes of yuzu dominate the aroma and palate, with bitter orange, coriander, pine, lavender and Matcha tea.

VIETNAM Saigon Baigur Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 World@BWS This is the first premium dry gin to be distilled in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City. It features Buddha’s hand citrus fruit and vapour-infused lotus flower in its 12 distinctive local botanicals.

A fresh, vibrant and distinctly Vietnamese take on a classic dry gin.

INDIA Pumori Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 World@BWS This gin is named for Mt. Pumori in the Himalayas, often referred to as “the daughter of Everest”, and is made at Fullarton Distilleries in Goa. Pumori uses Himalayan juniper and a selection of Indian botanicals, including cardamom, orange peel, and almond. Fruity and floral up front, leading to earthy spice and citrus.

Peddler’s Salted Plum Gin

45.7% ABV, 750ml RRP $59.99 Tickety-Boo A rare Chinese take on a traditional sloe gin.

Peddler’s Shanghai Gin (below) is infused with salted plum, mulberry, orange peel and osmanthus (a native Asian evergreen) and aged for a month in Oloroso sherry barrels to give a dry finish.

Saigon Baigur Gin is the first premium dry gin to be distilled in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and features Buddha’s hand citrus and vapour-infused lotus flower in its botanical mix.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

ENGLAND Barrister Blue Gin

Bulldog Gin’s distinctive spiked collar bottle references the punk rock era of modern England.

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $55 Q Liquid This distinctly blue-hued gin was created especially for use in gin and tonics.

Barrister Dry Gin

40% ABV, 375ml RRP $25 and 700ml RRP $55 Q Liquid This was the first gin in the Barrister range.

Classic botanicals such as juniper, angelica, lemon peel and coriander are combined to create a crisp, dry gin.

Barrister Mumbai Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $62 Q Liquid Cumin, cardamom, allspice and coriander add a twist of India to the classic dry style of Barrister, along with a hit of heat from cubeb pepper.

Barrister Old Tom Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $55 Q Liquid In accordance with the Old Tom category, this gin from Barrister is slightly sweetened to create a rounder, richer taste. Black pepper and allspice, nutmeg, almonds, and cubeb pepper are added to highlight its spicy, oriental character.

Barrister Orange Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $57 Q Liquid This slightly higher strength gin with its intense aroma and flavour of ripe oranges lends itself to cocktail making.

Barrister Pink Gin

Beefeater London Dry

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $55 Q Liquid

40% ABV, 1L RRP $59.99 Pernod Ricard

Classic botanicals and berries are distilled separately for this pink expression from Barrister. It has an intense, bright, and fruity aroma with subtle notes of pink blossom and flavours of strawberry.

A quintessential London Dry gin made with big juniper character and strong citrus notes.

It is still made to the original recipe created by Beefeater founder James Burrough, using bold juniper, zesty Seville orange and lemon peel.

Bathtub Gin

Beefeater Pink

43.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Pernod Ricard

Bathtub Gin takes its name from the type of gins distilled illicitly in London during the 1920's. Although not distilled in bathtubs like its namesake, Bathtub gin continues the tradition of small batch and handcrafted distillation methods. A modern take on a classic London Dry gin, packed with notes of juniper, cardamom, coriander, cloves and orange peel.

Beefeater’s Pink expression combines natural strawberry flavour with citrus and classic juniper botanicals.

Beefeater 24

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99 Pernod Ricard Beefeater Master Distiller, Desmond Payne (MBE), created this gin after being inspired by tea’s potential as a botanical during a visit to Japan. Sencha and Chinese green teas give clean, green notes to the gin, which also features grapefruit peel. The ‘24’ refers to the botanicals steeping in the spirit for 24 hours before distillation.

Beefeater Blood Orange

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $49.99 Pernod Ricard Aromas of fresh citrus and intense blood orange lead to bitter-sweet blood orange on the palate of this gin, alongside classic juniper and angelica, developing into a long, rich finish. The blood orange colour also holds when mixed with tonic.

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Bombay Bramble

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 Lion This expression from Bombay Sapphire uses an infusion of fresh blackberries and raspberries to create a rich and vibrant berry fruit flavour with no added sugar or artificial flavours.

Bombay Premier Cru

47% ABV, 700ml RRP $87.99 Lion This release from Bombay Sapphire showcases the vibrant citrus of Murcia, in south-east Spain.

Spanish Fino lemons, mandarins and sweet Navel oranges are hand-picked and peeled by local growers who then dry the peels in the sun to capture the oils used in this citrus-forward gin.

Bombay Sapphire

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $54.99 and 1L RRP $64.99 Lion The distinctive ice-blue bottle of Bombay Sapphire is a staple behind bars around the world. Flavours of juniper and citrus lead on the palate, along with spice from liquorice and coriander and underlying light woody notes.

M U LT I A W A R D WINNING SPIRITS

MADE TO BE ENJOYED IN G O O D C O M PA N Y Rifters is bottled by Arrowtown Distillery in the Whakatipu Basin. Our small batch spirits are handcrafted using flavourful botanicals inspired by our landscape and pure New Zealand artesian water.

Rifters Tasting Room NOW OPEN Dudley’s Cottage 4 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown

Join us for a masterclass www.riftersgin.com Join the journey @riftersgin

For wholesale enquiry please email hello@arrowtowndistillery.com

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Hayman’s Peach Rose Cup is a summery expression that combines Hayman’s London Dry with notes of fresh peach, sweet rose and juicy orchard fruit.

Bulldog Gin

Gordon’s Mediterranean Orange

Hayman’s Old Tom

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $85.99 Thirsty Camel

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $52.99 Lion

41.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99 Hancocks

Bulldog Gin’s distinctive spiked collar bottle references the punk rock era of modern England, while the London Dry gin inside was designed to capture the spirit of the original British bulldog, Winston Churchill. A subtle juniper character sits alongside delicate floral and citrus aromas and flavour.

A fresh and zesty orange gin that pairs classic Gordon’s with the intense citrus character of Mediterranean oranges.

Made in the slighter sweeter style of an Old Tom, this gin has a bold citrus and juniper pine character that is smooth and delicate with a subtle underlying sweetness.

Cotswolds Dry Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore A dry gin made with nine botanicals, including locally sourced lavender. The distillery uses 10 times the botanical quantity of most gins, meaning it’s likely to cloud when ice or tonic is added due to the high levels of natural oils and flavours. The gin is sweet and piney with an earthy background; a hearty gin with a herbaceous quality as well, lifted by citrus and cooling eucalyptus.

Fords Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Hancocks A mix of nine botanicals, Fords Gin starts with a traditional base of juniper and coriander seed balanced by citrus, florals and spices. Steeped for 15 hours before distillation, the botanicals deliver an aromatic, fresh and floral spirit with elegant notes of jasmine and grapefruit.

Gordon’s Gin Original

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $43.99 and 1L RRP $52.99 Lion A consistently awarded classic London Dry gin – smooth, refreshing and juniper-forward with zesty citrus.

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Gordon’s Pink Gin

37.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $52.99 Lion A blush-pink gin that combines Gordon’s Gin with natural fruit flavours of raspberries and strawberries, and the tang of redcurrant.

Greenall’s Original London Dry

37.5% ABV, 1L RRP $49.99 Federal Merchants A classic London Dry gin with rounded juniper notes and fresh, punchy citrus. It’s smooth on the palate with citrus and spice. A lasting finish of delicate bitterness and residual sweetness.

Hayman’s Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99 Hancocks A classic London Dry gin using 10 botanicals steeped in English wheat spirit prior to distillation. Fresh, crisp and with a lively citrus finish.

Hayman’s London Light

12.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99 Hancocks Created to offer a new way of enjoying a G&T with lower alcohol, Hayman’s London Light is distilled to retain the flavour of the botanicals, but is just 12.4% ABV. It is citrusy and smooth with notes of piney juniper.

Hayman’s Peach Rose Cup

25% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99 Hancocks This summery expression combines Hayman’s London Dry with notes of fresh peach, sweet rose and juicy orchard fruit. Juicy palate full of sweet peach, pears, light cucumber and fragrant rose. Delicate finish.

Hayman’s Royal Dock Navy Strength

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $92.99 Hancocks This gin was first supplied to the English Admiralty in 1863. It has a subtle juniper aroma, while on the palate the juniper intensifies, balanced with citrus and spice and a lingering finish of pepper and liquorice.

Hayman’s Sloe Gin

26% ABV, 700ml RRP $62.99 Hancocks Hayman’s version of this British classic has intense plummy aromas, hint of almond and delicious fruit flavours. A complex, warming finish.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Martin Miller’s Original Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Thirsty Camel A small-batch English gin blended in Iceland, to take advantage of that country’s pure spring water. It has delicate floral aromas alongside juniper and a hint of citrus, which continue on the palate, with spice characters from cardamom and peppercorn.

Psychopomp Microdistillery ‘Wōden’ Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $85 Mineral A small-batch craft distilled gin in the London Dry style. This is the signature gin from Bristol microdistillery Psychopomp. Juniper forward with strong grapefruit citrus, rounded out by fennel seed on the finish.

Seagers Dry Gin

37.2% ABV, 1L RRP $49.99 Asahi Beverages NZ Aromas of juniper and citrus at the fore, Seagers has a light, slightly sweet flavour and a hint of warming spice.

Silent Pool Dry Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Federal Merchants This English gin is handcrafted in the Surrey Hills with 24 botanicals. It’s full-bodied and fresh with clarity and depth of flavour. A rich, juniper-driven spirit with floral layers of lavender and chamomile.

Warner’s Elderflower Gin is a delicate expression of Warner Edwards’ rural farm distillery in the UK, and is infused with fresh elderflowers.

Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Federal Merchants This gin gets its fresh and intriguing character from lesser-known citrus: bright and zesty notes from Buddha’s Hand, rich notes from Natsudaidai (Japanese summer orange) and subtle sweetness from Hirado Buntan (pomelo).

Sipsmith London Cup

29.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Suntory Global Spirits In the style of a punch, Sipsmith London Cup is made from the Sipsmith London Dry Gin infused with Earl Grey tea, borage, lemon verbena and a host of other botanicals. The aroma is sweet with orange and a background of cardamom. Gentle sweetness that finishes dry with complex spice.

Tanqueray

47.3% ABV, 1L RRP $64.99 Lion Widely regarded as the quintessential London Dry Gin, Tanqueray is beloved by bartenders the world over. It has aromas of juniper with a subtle citrus character. Clean and dry on the palate with intense juniper and liquorice that lingers on the finish. Awarded Gold at the 2023 NZ Spirits Awards.

Tanqueray No. Ten

47% ABV, 1L RRP $114.99 Lion An elegant gin that uses whole fresh citrus fruit during distillation. Aromas of sweet, fresh grapefruit lead to a soft, viscous, rounded mouthfeel. An elegant finish with distinct chamomile.

Warner’s Apple & Pear Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Giesen Group A gin full of classic botanicals as well as apple and pear juice, calling to mind late harvest evenings. Aromas of pear and fresh elderflower, with black pepper and macadamia. The palate is rich with cardamom spice, lychee and juniper leading to a finish of fresh, sweet orchard fruits.

Warner’s Elderflower Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Giesen Group A delicate expression of Warner Edwards’ rural farm distillery in the UK, this gin is infused with fresh elderflowers. These are handpicked on the property and go from field to bottle in just a few hours. A balanced gin that is smooth, sweet and delicately fragrant with summer elderflower.

Warner’s Harrington Dry Gin

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Giesen Group This was the first release from artisanal producer Warner Edwards. Its strong notes of cardamom and nutmeg give an intense warmth to the well-rounded and complex palate.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Warner’s Honeybee Gin

Warner’s Sloe Gin

The Botanist

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Giesen Group

30% ABV, 700ml RRP $81.99 Giesen Group

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99 Hancocks

Honeybee Gin features 28 natural botanicals and is infused with honey sourced locally and from Warner Edwards’ own hives at their UK farm distillery. The gin is floral and zesty with a lingering, gently sweet finish.

Sloe berries are handpicked from hedgerows on Warner Edwards’ UK farm distillery site and steeped in Harrington Dry Gin to create this intensely fruity gin. Not overly sweet, it has notes of cherry and almond.

Warner’s Lemon Balm Gin

Widges

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Giesen Group

41.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $76.99 Proof & Company

The botanical heritage of Islay, the southernmost island of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, is the focus of this gin, in which 22 local botanicals (including tansy, hawthorn and bog myrtle) are added to nine classic gin aromatics. The gin is rich, intense and full-bodied yet smooth, with complex floral aromas.

A fresh, herbaceous, and zesty dry gin that uses key botanicals freshly harvested from Warner’s own farm surrounds, where they grow lemon balm, lemon verbena and lemon thyme.

A gin developed by spirits industry figure Jason “Widge” Williams of Proof & Company to be a gin for craft bartenders, with its slightly higher ABV and bright botanicals. A classically juniperforward gin with an orange and cardamom character.

Warner’s London Dry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Giesen Group A soft, sweet, floral nose, with elderflower, spicy cardamom and gentle lemon. Juniper is upfront on the palate, leading to orange notes and a finish of sweet mint.

Warner’s Raspberry Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Giesen Group A gin inspired by the farm hedgerows around Warner’s historic farm in Northamptonshire.

Each bottle contains one third fresh raspberries, blackberries and hand-picked hedgerow elderflowers. Jammy and vibrant with initial juniper and coriander that gives way to the sweet flavours of the hedgerow fruits.

Warner’s Rhubarb Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Giesen Group This gin can claim royal connections as it’s made using a crop of rhubarb grown originally in the kitchen garden of Buckingham Palace during Queen Victoria’s reign. The rhubarb juice is extracted using a traditional fruit press and blended with Warner’s Harrington Dry Gin to create a blush pink expression that is sweet and tangy.

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SCOTLAND The Aberturret Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore The Aberturret Gin combines 14 botanicals, enhanced by The Glenturret Single Malt New Make Spirit. Smooth and creamy, with the maltiness of the new make spirit and the juniper uplifting the brighter notes of lemon, lime and grapefruit citrus zests. Floral notes of chamomile and pine, spicy pink peppercorn and a hint of earthy sweetness from sumac.

Lemon sherbet and sweet liquorice on the finish.

Cadenhead’s Old Raj Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore Cadenhead’s Old Raj Gin is distinctive in that it contains a measure of saffron. In addition to a slightly spicy flavour, this also imparts a pale yellow colour. Rich and clean, with a lovely oily mouthfeel, this gin has flavours of zesty lemon, Indian spices and a hint of aniseed.

Caorunn Gin

41.8% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Hancocks Pronounced ‘Ka-roon’ this gin has a fresh aroma with floral and citrus character and a hint of spice. Clean, crisp, sweet and fullbodied on the palate, with a crisp and slightly drying finish. Recommended serve is with a slice of red apple.

Darnley’s Original Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $59.99 Glengarry There’s a fresh, slightly sweet aroma to this gin with a lifted floral note from elderflower and an underlying thread of resinous juniper.

It’s rounded and smooth on the palate, full of bright, zesty citrus.

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Distributed by Thirsty Camel Limited and can be purchased via all major wholesalers including Gilmours, Bidfood, Allied Liquor and Trents

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Dunnet Bay Rock Rose Dry

41.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Giesen Group A flavourful and fresh gin with zest and berry characters. Local botanicals such as rowan and hawthorn berries, sea buckthorn and rhodiola rosea (the rock rose) are hand-foraged from the cliffs and forests of Caithness in northern Scotland.

Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret is a new release inspired by a stone fruit eau de vie that was popular in Paris in the early 20th century.

Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret

Holyrood Height of Arrows Heavy Gin

43.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Federal Merchants

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $93.99 Glengarry The recipe for this Old Tom-style gin uses roasted juniper, creating a robust flavour. A small addition of sugar after distillation brings balance, and a subtle sweetness. There is dark pine and orange peel on the nose with a slight floral presence and a woody herbaceous note.

Sweet and creamy on the palate with a distinct floral sweetness. The texture is syrupy and rich.

Edinburgh Gin Seaside London Dry

This new release from Hendrick’s was inspired by a stone fruit eau de vie that was popular in Paris in the early 20th century. The classic juniper character of Hendrick’s Gin is enhanced by the soft sweetness and bright fruitiness of ripe stone fruit, which complements and accentuates the freshness of the gin’s signature cucumber notes. A “cabaret” of stone fruit flavours rounded out by sweet aromatic herbs for a fragrant, fruity finish.

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $67.99 EuroVintage

Hendrick’s Lunar

Dunnet Bay Rock Rose Navy Strength Gin

57% ABV, 700ml RRP $104.99 Giesen Group The higher ABV version of Rock Rose has a strong, warm pine release at the front with notes of lemon sherbet. The middle palate has bold berries that give way to the deeper earthier notes of angelica and orris.

A softly sweet, mineralistic London Dry gin that uses botanicals foraged from beaches around Edinburgh, such as bladderwrack seaweed, scurvygrass and ground ivy. Bladderwrack is high in residual sugar and adds a sweetness and the scent of sea air. Scurvy grass carries a slight spice and salinity while ground ivy adds fresh, summery grass notes to the finish.

Hendrick’s

41.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 Federal Merchants The use of cucumber and rose petal infusions give Hendrick’s its distinctively delicate quality, which has become much loved by aficionados the world over. Its aroma has a hint of floral alongside the juniper, while on the palate there is freshness from the cucumber and exotic Turkish Delight from the rose. Complex, smooth and refreshing.

43.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Federal Merchants A deeply floral and richly aromatic gin, created

by Hendrick’s Master Distiller Lesley Gracie.

It was inspired by her love of tending to her botanicals under moonlight.

Hendrick’s Neptunia

43.4% ABV, 700ml RRP $94.99 Federal Merchants The first ‘maritime’ release from Hendrick’s, with fresh sea notes of native coastal flora enhancing the signature combination of cucumber and rose, leading to a smooth citrus finish.

Holyrood Height of Arrows Elevated Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $86.99 Glengarry For this gin, Holyrood’s distillers were inspired by whisky’s diverse nature, despite it using just malted barley, water and yeast. Here, they have focused on juniper, enhancing it with Isle of Skye sea salt and natural beeswax. The gin is a balanced presentation of clean, fresh pine resin coupled with light citrus zest on the nose. Long and smooth on the palate; a dry finish with effervescent spicy notes.

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Isle of Harris

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore This gin embodies the elemental nature of its island home in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

Its maritime character derives from the local, hand-gathered sugar kelp seaweed that is its defining botanical. The kelp combines with eight other botanicals to create a smooth and complex gin.

Isle of Raasay Hebridean Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore Malted barley spirit is three times distilled in a pot still for this gin, which uses juniper harvested on the remote Hebridean island itself and is complemented by botanicals such as rhubarb root, cubeb, angelica root, and sweet orange peel.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Lind & Lime

Tobermory Hebridean Gin

Grace O’Malley Irish Gin

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Giesen Group

43.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 EuroVintage

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $69.99 World@BWS

Just seven botanicals go into this beautifully presented Scottish gin. Juniper provides the backbone, complemented by crisp and citrusy lime, and underpinned by earthy flavours of pink peppercorns. Complex, dry and refreshing.

A splash of spirit from the Tobermory whisky stills adds a unique character to this gin, which is distilled on the Isle of Mull with botanicals including tea, heather, elderflower and sweet orange peel. Fresh juniper is balanced with sweet orange and lemon, hints of coriander, and gentle herbs and spices. A luxurious, creamy mouthfeel and a subtle hint of sweet malt.

A traditional style gin distilled with a blend of 14 botanicals found on Ireland’s wild west coast, including heather, wild thyme, red clover, blackthorn, bilberry and sea fennel. It has intense herbal and citrus aromas, fresh on the front palate with grassy notes and vibrant citrus peel. A fresh floral finish.

Pickering’s Gin

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99 EuroVintage Based on an original Bombay recipe, Pickering’s has strong aromas of juniper and citrus with underlying notes of spice. Fresh and clean on the palate, the juniper and citrus character give way to warming cardamom, coriander seed and clove.

Pickering’s Gin 1947

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $72.99 EuroVintage This expression of Pickering’s is made precisely to the original recipe, as it was said to be written in Bombay in 1947. It is spicier, sweeter and more intense than the original with a crisp, refreshing and lingering finish.

Red Door Gin

45% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore Produced by the family-owned Benromach distillery on the fringes of the Speyside region, Red Door gin is distilled in ‘Peggy’, the distillery’s hand-made copper pot gin still and the local Scottish botanicals used include rowanberry and sea buckthorn. It has a zingy citric flavour joined by floral notes (heather) and an edge of earthiness when served neat.

IRELAND Dingle Gin

42.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $POA Whisky Galore A vapour-infused gin made in Ireland’s south west. It’s distilled in a hand-beaten copper pot still using nine locally grown botanicals such as rowan berry, bog myrtle and heather alongside the classic juniper and angelica.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Premium Liquor Co. This gin takes its name from two key botanicals used in its creation: Drumshanbo (Meadowsweet) and Chinese Gunpowder tea, which is a green tea that has been slowly dried and carefully rolled into shiny pellets.

The flavour is bold and bright with a slight spicy freshness.

Drumshanbo Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Irish Gin

41% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Premium Liquor Co. This gin is distilled with more than 12 oriental botanicals, gunpowder tea, and a hint of Sardinian citrus – one of the rarest citrus fruits in the world, found only on the island of Sardinia. The gin has a fragrant, almost exotic aroma, with flavours of orange and grapefruit.

Graham Norton’s Own Irish Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $66.99 EuroVintage This gin from UK talk show host Graham Norton, in collaboration with New Zealand company Invivo, is small batch distilled in West Cork. It has aromas of kaffir lime and juniper that continue on the palate, with citrus notes and a crisp finish. Classic gin botanicals are accompanied by gooseberry, elderflower, rosehips and fuchsia flowers.

Graham Norton’s Own Marmalade Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $66.99 EuroVintage This gin was developed in collaboration with a marmalade producer and gin producer in Graham Norton’s hometown of Cork. The intense Seville orange notes give this gin a refreshing marmalade twist.

Graham Norton’s Own Pink Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $66.99 EuroVintage Made with Irish grain, this pink gin draws its flavour from a combination of 12 botanicals including rose petals, kaffir lime and rose hip.

The gin is made in West Cork, and locally foraged fuchsia flowers add a delicate aroma, while an infusion of roses and cranberry give its blush pink colour.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

FRANCE Chateau Léoube Mediterranean Gin

41.5% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99 Glengarry This gin uses the olive pomace (residue) that remains after the extraction of olive oil and wine alcohol produced by distilling grape marc to create a distinctive Mediterranean character.

Bitter almond, sweet orange, fennel, rosemary, and mandarin all add to its complex notes.

Citadelle Jardin d’Été

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $82.99 Proof & Company Inspired by the summer garden at Château de Bonbonnet, home to Citadelle Gin, this release opens with bright notes of lemon, yuzu and orange, softened by Charentais melon. A long, fruity finish.

Citadelle Original

Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Barrel Aged

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.99 Tickety-Boo

43.7% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99 Exceptional Flavours

The distinctively earthy aroma of saffron sits alongside piney juniper in this vibrant gold gin. It has a rich spiced flavour with an underlying earthiness, complex spice and a hint of sweetness.

Cognac barrels made of oak from the French Limousin were selected for this barrel aged gin, which is matured for four months. A dry, robust and aromatic gin with subtle notes of oak, dried herbs, vanilla, florals and liquorice.

BELGIUM

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Classic

De Moor Flemish Gin 23 (FG23)

49.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $135 Exceptional Flavours There are 23 botanicals used in the smallbatch (200 litre) copper pot still distillation that creates this Flemish gin. Considering the high ABV, it has a clean and surprisingly soft mouthfeel, pronounced juniper with liquorice and good supporting angelica and coriander.

Harmonious and well-balanced.

46% ABV, 500ml RRP $69.99 Exceptional Flavours A spicy gin with a dry character. Strong and aromatic with notes of juniper, complemented by refreshing citrus aromas. The ‘28’ in the name refers to the 28 different spice and fresh fruit distillates used in its creation.

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Pink

37.5% ABV, 500ml RRP $74.99 Exceptional Flavours Fresh raspberries and goji berries enhance the original Filliers Dry Gin to create this pink expression. A spicy gin with a touch of raspberry sweetness balanced by citrus.

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $76.99 Proof & Company

De Moor Heart of Flemish Gin 23

An artisanal French gin using 19 botanicals; among them violet, iris and blackcurrant. An elegant gin that is soft and smooth. Subtle aromas of juniper and citrus continue on the palate alongside notes of pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon. The distinctive bottle was inspired by 18th century France.

This exclusive batch of De Moor Heart of Flemish Gin 23 distillate is clean and punchy at nearly 50% ABV. Flavours of juniper and zesty citrus are very evident, in harmony with coriander, peppery spices and floral lavender.

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Tangerine

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Tangerine is made from a distillate based on sunripened tangerines from Valencia, that is distilled up to five times.

Filliers Dry Gin 28 Tribute “FilliersBachte”

49.3% ABV, 700ml RRP $270 Exceptional Flavours

Citadelle Rouge

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Proof & Company This gin builds on the original Citadelle gin by infusing fresh cranberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackcurrant and rhubarb. It has an intense burst of lush, tart berry flavour underscored by tangy rhubarb.

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43.7% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99 Exceptional Flavours This fresh citrus gin is made from a distillate based on sun-ripened tangerines from Valencia, that is distilled up to five times. A full, refreshing gin that highlights the different citrus nuances of mandarins.

48% ABV, 500ml RRP $79.99 Exceptional Flavours An homage to the Filliers family, the original recipe for this gin dates back to 1828, when third generation Firmin Filliers ran the company and developed the recipe. An aromatic and complex gin; notes of malt alternate with hints of angelica and lavender.

SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

Filliers “Young & Pure” 0YO Genever

35% ABV, 700ml RRP $73.99 Exceptional Flavours This genever has never been put in barrel (hence ‘Young & Pure’), which emphasises its refreshing characteristics. A balanced taste of juniper berries with a subtle note of grain.

Lindemans Clear Gin

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $114.99 Exceptional Flavours Sixteen different botanicals are combined with a distillate of Old Kriek Cuvée René and fresh cherry juice to create this gin. Initial flavours of fresh citrus lead to warm cardamom and then cherry, which lingers on the finish.

Ginato Melograno is infused with Italian pomegranate and combined with Italian Pinot Grigio grapes and Tuscan juniper.

Ginato Clementino

Malfy Con Arancia

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Hancocks

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99 Pernod Ricard

A fresh gin that combines Tuscan juniper berries with juicy clementine oranges from the south of Italy and Pinot Grigio grapes from Friuli in the north.

Sicilian blood orange peel in the distillation of this gin helps to create its deep ruby red colour.

Aromas of orange blossom with a background of juniper; flavours of rich, bittersweet citrus with a long finish.

Ginato Melograno

GERMANY Big Kahuna Pineapple Gin

40% ABV, 700ml RRP $84.99 World@BWS Although made in Germany, Big Kahuna pays homage to Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku, aka “The Big Kahuna”. Born in Hawaii in 1890 he is credited with pioneering modern surfing and bringing the sport to a global audience in the early 1900s. The gin is fresh and vibrant with lavender, coriander, apricot and orange and an infusion of pineapple adding a lush sweetness.

ITALY Engine Gin

42% ABV, 500ml RRP $99.99 Thirsty Camel The distinctive motor racing-inspired can contains a gin made in north-western Italy using bitter sage, sweet liquorice and damask rose.

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Hancocks Infused with Italian pomegranate and combined with Italian Pinot Grigio grapes and Tuscan juniper, this gin opens with a sweet floral aroma that flows into rich pomegranate and a delicately sweet finish.

Malfy Con Limone

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99 Pernod Ricard A citrus-forward gin that uses the peels of Italian coastal-grown lemons in its distillation.

Aromas of citrus and juniper with flavours of anise, citrus and coriander.

Ginato Pinot Grigio

Malfy Originale

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Hancocks

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99 Pernod Ricard

A refreshing gin distilled with Italian-grown Pinot Grigio grapes, Tuscan juniper berries and blended with Sicilian lemons. A floral aroma and zesty citrus notes.

Aromas of juniper, coriander and anise lead to a crisp, dry palate with complex flavours of juniper, liquorice and a hint of citrus.

Ginato Pompelmo

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $64.99 Hancocks A bittersweet gin, rich with pink grapefruit.

Aromas and notes of crisp, fresh grapefruit balanced with intense juniper from Tuscany.

Malfy Rosa

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99 Pernod Ricard A pale pink gin with bright, fresh aromas of citrus, rhubarb and spicy anise. Sicilian pink grapefruit and Italian rhubarb provide a rich citrus flavour, with a tart note and a long citrus finish.

Malfy Con Amarena

41% ABV, 750ml RRP $68.99 Pernod Ricard Fruity and fresh, this gin has bittersweet Amarena cherry flavour complemented by black cherry with notes of juniper and lemon, balancing sweet and sour.

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SPIRITS REPORT – GIN

SPAIN Gin Mare

42.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Hancocks Spanish citrus and herbs are at the heart of this gin, which uses Arbequina olives, thyme, basil and rosemary. It has rich aromas of citrus, fennel and juniper, with a soft, rounded juniper-led flavour and a finish of intense botanicals and spice.

Gin Mare Capri

42.7% ABV, 700ml RRP $99.99 Hancocks This gin was released to mark Gin Mare’s 10th anniversary and was inspired by the perfumes of the famed Italian island of Capri. The citrus aromas of bergamot and delicate rosemary are at the fore, alongside basil, fresh orange, lemon, olive arbequina and thyme.

Larios 12

40% ABV, 1L RRP $57.99 Suntory Global Spirits A citrus-dominant blend of 12 botanicals, among them orange, mandarin, tangerine, lemon, lime, orange blossom, grapefruit and clementine. A delicate citrus aroma with subtle juniper notes leads to a palate of intense citrus and juniper with slightly spiced character from the nutmeg and coriander.

Larios Citrus

37.5% ABV, 1L RRP $57.99 Suntory Global Spirits The addition of Mediterranean oranges gives this gin an intensely fruity aroma and flavour. Vibrant citrus on the palate with balanced sweetness.

Larios Dry Original

37.5% ABV, 1L RRP $57.99 Suntory Global Spirits A blend of classic gin botanicals. Clean and dry on the palate with a balance of juniper and citrus, and a lingering citrus finish.

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Larios Rosé

Gray Whale

37.5% ABV, 1L RRP $57.99 Suntory Global Spirits

43% 750ml RRP $79.99 Premium Liquor Co.

An intensely sweet strawberry aroma leads to a palate of fruit sweetness and subtle citrus with a lingering sweet finish.

A Californian gin inspired by the gray whale, which can be seen on its migratory journey along the California coast. Botanicals for this gin are foraged along that path: from Baja California limes to sea kelp in Mendocino.

A portion of Gray Whale’s profits support Oceana, the largest organisation in the world devoted solely to marine conservation.

Le Tribute Gin

43% ABV, 700ml RRP $89.99 Tickety-Boo A fresh and fruity gin with intense citrus, thanks to an array of orange, lemon grapefruit, kumquat tangerine and lime in the botanical mix. An underlying touch of lemongrass and juniper.

USA Aviation American Gin

42% 700ml RRP $86.99 Lion Aviation is a complex gin that uses cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, and two kinds of orange peel in its botanical line-up.

CANADA Empress 1908

42.5% 700ml RRP $79.99 Premium Liquor Co. Made using butterfly pea blossoms, this indigo coloured gin transforms into vivid violet when tonic or citrus is added. Its juniper aroma is underpinned by a savoury warmth from the butterfly pea, cinnamon and ginger. The palate is juniper-forward with fresh grapefruit balanced by delicate rose.

Bowling & Burch Gin

MEXICO

47% ABV, 750ml RRP $123 Hi I.Q. Liquor

Gracias a Dios Oaxaca Agave Gin

Distilled in Kentucky by 7th generation Master Distiller Stephen Bowling Beam, Bowling & Burch is a high-quality, small-batch gin.

Blended with 17 botanicals, six of which are homegrown on the distillery property, the gin is fragrant with herbal notes of rosemary, thyme and citrus, tart orange, honeysuckle, lemon verbena, and coriander on the front, zippy with spice.

This gin from Mexico’s renowned Gracias a Dios mezcal distillery uses their classic agave spirit as the base, which is then triple distilled with juniper and eight botanicals from the Oaxaca region, including avocado leaf, yerba santa, cacao and Oaxaca tangerine.

45% ABV, 750ml RRP $94.99 Tickety-Boo

Farmer’s Reserve Strength Gin

47.8% 700ml RRP $99.99 Tickety-Boo This gin is distilled in small batches from wheat grown on family-owned 1,000 Springs Mill Farm in Buhl, Idaho in America’s northwest.

The farm is a locally-owned organic and non-GMO organisation where owners Tim Cornie and Kurt Mason grow USDA-certified organic wheat and other crops. Distilled in Rigby, Idaho, the gin is infused with an array of botanicals including elderflower, lemongrass, coriander, and angelica root, which provide a rich complexity and savoury character.

For distributor details see the Distributor Index on page 102.

OPINION – SPIRITS

Sarah Miller

Freelance spirits writer, judge and consultant

ginadingding.com

A question of origin With the UK gin category so crowded, Sarah Miller looks at how products’ provenance is increasingly under the microscope…

THE EARLY days of the British gin renaissance were characterised by microdistilleries popping up in sheds and spare rooms across the country. By the height of the boom every town in the UK seemingly had its own gin and – although there were questionable creation stories and dubious geographical claims – the market could not only sustain them, but many consumers actively embraced them.

Of course it couldn’t last forever, and with costs rising and sales falling, the “Actually Made In” movement was launched in February 2024 to promote local craft distilleries and differentiate them from the spirits brands who don’t make their own products.

Fronted by Manchester Gin, Tarquin’s Cornish Gin, Brighton Gin and Masons of Yorkshire, the aim is laudable, although with close to 100 distilleries verified, it’s debatable whether this is proof of the campaign’s success, or a sign of how desperate producers are to demonstrate a point of difference in a competitive market (although “small-batch”, “handcrafted” and “local” are no longer the USPs they once were).

Moreover, by verifying distilleries who buy in neutral grain spirit (NGS) to make gin while also importing rum to blend and bottle (as many have been doing to insulate themselves against gin’s downturn), the “Actually Made In” campaign risks doing a disservice to makers who ferment and distil their base spirits from scratch, and causing greater consumer confusion.

So does it actually matter how – and where – a gin is made? I would argue not.

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While we should undoubtedly celebrate distilleries that produce their own base spirit, it doesn’t necessarily make for a better gin. NGS should (by its very definition) be devoid of character; its production also requires a different skillset and equipment from that used to make gin, and it is hard to produce costefficiently and sustainably on a small scale.

Likewise, one shouldn’t assume that a gin produced under contract is lower quality. On the contrary, and despite some long-standing snobbery against contract distilling, there’s a lot to be said for putting your product in the hands of an expert.

As for the importance of knowing where a spirit is made, the jury seems

and that the Italian/Australian/Chilean gins they receive in their monthly subscription aren’t all made in the same English distillery.

Whether deliberate or not, there is a problem with transparency and this is what distillers and brands alike should be rallying together to address, especially as it’s an obvious means to win the trust of newer customers still forming affinities.

It’s naive to think every gin company would willingly disclose the source of their NGS or their production location, and legislation would be even harder to impose. However, there’s a lot to be said for the suggestion from Jake F Burger, co-founder of Portobello Road Distillery, that gin adopt something like tequila’s

So does it actually matter how – and where – a gin is made? to be out. Although provenance is increasingly prominent and well understood in the food industry, I’m repeatedly told that spirits consumers don’t really care – but maybe the industry has simply made it too inscrutable.

Consumers presumably realise that Buckingham Palace Gin isn’t actually made in the official residence of his Majesty the King, or that Battersea Power Station’s gin isn’t actually made inside the lift after which it is named (Lift 109). They might, however, reasonably assume that a Japanese-style gin is made in Japan. Or that a Welsh gin isn’t made over the border in Birmingham,

“Norma Oficial Mexicana” (NOM); a fourdigit number that appears on every bottle and identifies its point of origin.

For now, the best we can do is hold brands and distilleries to account, and praise honesty and authenticity where we see it. Whether that’s in a local distillery or in a brand proudly celebrating its partnership with a contract distillery, as happened recently with the opening of Ford Gin’s new brand home within the Thames Distillers site: a space that even includes a corner to honour 10th generation master distiller Charles Maxwell and all of the other gins he has made!

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AVAILABLE AT HANCOCKS WINE, SPIRIT AND BEER MERCHANTS LIMITED

SPIRITS NEWS

Trophy winners at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards THE TOP titles in the NZ Spirits Awards have been announced, with 20 trophies awarded to the spirits judged the best of the best.

The sixth annual awards were hosted by industry bodies Spirits New Zealand and Distilled Spirits Aotearoa and

presented at a gala dinner in Auckland in September.

451 entries had earlier been blindtasted and judged in Wellington. The Gold and Double Gold medal winners in each category were then re-tasted and judged to find the trophy winners.

Trophy Winners – 2024 NZ Spirits Awards Whisky

Best Overall in Category – Whisky North American: Jack Daniels No.7 Bonded Best Overall in Category – Whisky Traditional: Jameson Single Pot Still Best Overall in Category – Whisky World: Starward Single Barrel Cognac Cask Finish Best New Zealand in Category – Whisky World: Thomson Mānuka Smoke Single Malt Gin

Best Overall in Category – Gin London Dry: Sandymount Distillery Lovers Leap Dry Gin Best Overall in Category – Gin Contemporary/Navy Strength: Strange Nature Gin Best Overall in Category – Gin Flavoured: Roots Rosso Pinot Noir Gin Best Overall in Category – Gin Aged: Awildian Coromandel Mānuka Honey Matured Gin

Rum

Best Overall in Category – Rum: Last Light Rum Cask Strength Solera Aged Rum Best Overall in Category – White Rum: 1919 Distilling Cane Overproof Best Overall in Category – Rum Spiced/ Botanical: Helmsman Spiced Rum Liqueurs

Best Overall in Category – Liqueurs: Curiosity Gin Pinot Barrel Sloe Botanical & Other Spirits

Best Overall in Category – Botanical & Other Spirits: Petrus Boonekamp Blood Bitter Best New Zealand in Category – Botanical & Other Spirits: Matahui Distillery Fennel Liqueur Agave Spirits

Best Overall in Category – Agave Spirits: Del Maguey Chichicapa

Find the full results online at spiritsawardsnz.nz 92 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

Vodka

Best Overall in Category – Vodka Varietal: 42 Below Vodka Best Overall in Category – Vodka Flavoured/Aged: National Distillery Company Aquifer Plateau Yuzu Vodka Vermouth

Best Overall in Category – Vermouth: Villa M Rosso Vermouth Best New Zealand in Category – Vermouth: Scapegrace Red Vermouth Brandy

Best Overall in Category – Brandy: Elsewhen Applejack Additional awards:

New Zealand Packaging Design Award: Bluff Gin Cue Marketing New Zealand Emerging Product Award: Last Light Solera Aged Rum Liquorland New Zealand Innovation Award: Thomson Mānuka Smoke Single Malt

M E A L L G T N I S FL AV O

B U L O E D R AVAILABLE AT

SPIRITS NEWS

SHOWCASE

Contemporary Australian gin from Archie Rose Distilling Co. THE SIGNATURE Dry Gin from Archie Rose Distilling Co. is a contemporary Australian take on a classic dry gin. Cold distilled, it delivers an intense clarity of flavour and features a range of local and native Australian botanical ingredients.

Carefully distilled in copper vacuum stills and using Archie Rose Distilling Co.’s unique cold distillation process to eliminate the adverse impacts of heat, the distillery team has created botanical distillates of clarity and distinct flavour that reimagine Australian modern classic gins.

Global accolades include: • ‘World’s Best International Contemporary Gin’ – American Distilling Institute Craft Spirits Awards (USA) • ‘Australia’s Best Gin’ – IWSC (London) • ‘Australia’s Best Gin (Platinum Medal)’ – SIP Awards (USA) Archie Rose Distilling Co. Signature Dry Gin

Featuring eight individually distilled botanicals including sunrise lime and Geraldton waxflower (both native to Western Australia) and Dorrigo Pepperleaf sourced from Northern NSW, this spirit unites the east and west coasts to deliver a quintessentially Australian dry gin that offers a complex array of flavours.

42% ABV, 700ml RRP $79.

For trade inquiries contact your Hancocks rep or call 0800 699 463.

Kaimai Distillery launches world’s first sugar-free liqueur range KAIMAI DISTILLERY has launched a new range of sugar-free liqueurs designed to add a healthier touch to cocktail favourites.

Owner and head distiller Wayne Chowles and co-distiller Leah James designed the Oracle range to be dairy-free, fat-free, ketofriendly, low to no carbs, and sugar-free.

Wayne says the development has been over a year in the making and what started small, quickly became 11 different flavours. “We realised that if we wanted to develop a range for the cocktail market we needed a diverse range of flavours, so most cocktail favourites can now be made with Oracle. And they can also be enjoyed on their own, over ice.”

The Oracle Liqueur flavour range includes: Raspberry, Coconut, Strawberry, Lime, Pineapple, Coffee, Chocolate, Irish Crème, Orange, Black Forest, and Hazelnut.

While the pair won’t reveal their distillation process, Leah says consumers can be confident the range uses quality ingredients.

“Traceability and integrity in our distillery crafting is vitally important to us. In our Oracle range we have primarily used Sucralose because it’s widely approved (Food Standards Australia New Zealand, FDA and more) and we have found it to be the sweetener with the cleanest taste. It’s 600 times sweeter than sugar, but you only need a fraction of a percentage to get the sweetness required and we don’t use Aspartame.” oracleliqueurs.co.nz

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SPIRITS NEWS

Matahui Distillery toasts success BAY OF Plenty micro-distillery Matahui is celebrating big wins at the NZ Spirits Awards, less than a year after opening.

Based in Katikati, owners Paul Horak and Angela Howard work with friend and distiller Shelley Broadbent using botanicals, fruit and herbs that they grow on-site in their permaculture garden for their range of gins and liqueurs.

Success has been swift, with Matahui Fennel Liqueur winning Gold and the Trophy for Best New Zealand in Category: Botanical & Other Spirits, and Double Gold for Grapefruitcello. Their Adventurers Gin and Spiced St Clements Liqueur won Silver while the Berry Adventurers Gin and Limoncello won Bronze.

Paul Horak, Angela Howard and Shelley Broadbent.

“It’s a real boost so early in our journey to have this kind of recognition in a blind tasting with judges of this calibre,” says Paul Horak. “The Fennel Liqueur and Grapefruitcello are two of our personal favourites so it’s great to know they rate well

on a national scale with so many excellent distilleries from all over the country.”

The Matahui Distillery team also run cellar door tastings and craft-your-owngin experiences at their distillery.

Matahui Distillery

SHOWCASE

New wine cask release from Tamnavulin A NEW white wine cask edition of Tamnavulin single malt has landed in New Zealand and is now available through Hancocks.

Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition has been finished in Sauvignon Blanc White wine casks to complement the American oak barrels where it begins its life.

Tamnavulin is now New Zealand’s #1 fastest-growing single malt brand in the Top 20, climbing to 7th Largest Malt brand*.

The Tamnavulin story began in 1966 with the opening of the distillery in the rural village of Tomnavoulin in Scotland. Although the doors closed in 1995, they reopened again in 2007 after a major distillery refurbishment. Since then, Tamnavulin has become known for crafting exceptional single malt whisky with a true Speyside character: rich, smooth and mellow.

Tamnavulin White Wine Cask Edition

Matured in American oak barrels and Sauvignon Blanc white wine casks. A bright and fruity accompaniment to the sweet, mellow and smooth taste of Tamnavulin.

Colour: Polished amber Nose: Signature orchard green apple notes with banana, ripe honeydew melon and white peach. Fresh citrus, with jasmine and vanilla coconut cream.

Palate: Lemon, grapefruit and baked apple tart with a hint of cinnamon spice. Ginger and lime biscuits to finish.

Finish: Soft, sweet and fruity *Across Liquorland, Superliquor, Thirsty Liquor and The Bottle-O. Growth is based off % terms over the last 12 months and quarter ending on 11/08/2024 - Nielsen IQ. For trade inquiries contact your Hancocks rep or call 0800 699 463.

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SPIRITS NEWS

Bluff Gin tops Australian Gin Awards INDUSTRY NEWCOMER Bluff Distillery has made a splash at the Australian Gin Awards 2024, winning the overall title of Best in Show as well as Best in Class for its Bluff London Dry Gin. The awards were announced in Sydney in early September.

The judges described the Kiwi gin as “exceptional”, noting: “A classic style gin achieving a standard of excellence. Beautifully

balanced with top class integration of botanicals into the classic framework.”

Co-Founder and Distiller of Bluff Distillery, Chris Fraser, says it’s an honour to be recognised on the international stage for a gin that represents the ruggedly beautiful spirit of Bluff. “It’s great validation for us as a team. Just as everything else in Bluff – the gin is what it says on the tin; we wanted to make a gin that respected the classic London Dry recipes

created hundreds of years ago.”

Bluff Distillery launched in March 2024 and the first batch of its gin, packaged in a distinctive blue-green glass buoy bottle, sold out within five days. It was also awarded Best Packaging Design at the 2024 NZ Spirits Awards.

Bluff Distillery says it plans to increase production by 100-150% in the coming year.

Bluff Distillery

SHOWCASE

A new chapter for Waiheke Whisky AN ISLAND location with sea spray in the air, a DIY attitude, and a desire to make distinctly New Zealand single malt lie at the heart of the Waiheke Whisky success story.

It’s a story that proves good things take time. Choosing to start with large casks and long-term maturation meant the distillery’s first whisky, Moss, took a decade to emerge but was the first in a string of award-winning releases.

Now, a new chapter is underway as Waiheke Whisky partners with distributor Tickety-Boo Liquor to bring its unique range of single malts to even more whisky lovers.

The believers

Mark Izzard (a surgeon) and friend Richard Evatt (a beekeeper) first started tinkering with whisky-making on Waiheke Island in 2008 using a 50L hobbyist still.

Things got more serious in 2010 when Tony Denny (former chief brewer for Lion Nathan) joined them to teach the skills of mashing in and a good ferment, and Waiheke Whisky was officially incorporated as a company.

But it was their first proper still, designed by an engineering friend, Eric, that would

change the game and shape the distillery’s whisky profile from the earliest days.

An angular take on traditional still styles, Eric’s still (which the team built themselves) incorporated elements of the geodesic principle to maximise the ratio of surface area to volume.

Today, that “homemade” design is rendered in gleaming copper with two bespoke six-metre-high copper stills commissioned from Scotland taking pride of place in Waiheke Whisky’s purposebuilt island distillery.

It is located at The Heke; the distillery and brewery, tasting room and visitor centre was completed in 2023, alongside a popular cellar-door restaurant that opened late 2021.

Head distiller Patrick Newton oversees production of the ever-evolving Waiheke Whisky range.

Organic Canterbury barley, Southland peat, and Waiheke water are core elements, with the team experimenting with malt variations, fermentation and ageing cask finishes to create each distinct expression.

New release – Waiheke Whisky Fairlight

A delicious world-first blend of premium unpeated world whisky, with the distiller’s selection of Waiheke Whisky’s peated back catalogue. Fairlight shares its name with the world’s first music synthesizer as it is the synthesis of the two hemispheres that went into this bottling.

Tasting notes A delightful balance of the classic non-peated style enriched with the distinctive character of Waiheke’s peated whisky, showcasing tradition and innovation.

• Nose: Heather, honey, vanilla spices, gentle peat.

• Palate: Smooth and creamy, sweet fruit, oak, smoke and brine.

Waiheke Whisky Fairlight (40% ABV) is RRP $119.

Waiheke Whisky is distributed by Tickety-Boo Liquor

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Mark Izzard and head distiller Patrick Newton

The whisky

This year’s accolades include Best NZ Single Malt at The Drammys for Cantankerous, and Gold medals for The Sweetwater and DYAD Peat & Port at the NZ Spirits Awards.

Mark says it’s been a great journey.

“I’d say the most rewarding aspect is in how the whisky is appreciated by both the uber-geek whisky lovers and newcomers to the spirit. Whisky is made to be shared after all! Thirty-seven medals to date show that we’re on the right track, and with nationwide distribution, the future is exciting.”

Kevin Rowe of Tickety-Boo says they are thrilled to partner with Waiheke Whisky. “The team at Waiheke Whisky have taken an extremely considered approach to the release of their whiskies and we are thrilled to say the wait is finally over!

“Tickety-Boo Liquor is excited to offer these extraordinary whiskies to all sectors of the trade nationally. While it’s still early days in the Waiheke Whisky story, the trade and consumer alike are in for a real treat.”

SPIRITS NEWS

Reefton Distilling Co. unveils fresh look for Little Biddy JUST SIX years on from opening the doors and launching the very first batch of Little Biddy Gin Classic, Reefton Distilling Co. has unveiled a fresh new look for its Little Biddy range of premium distilled spirits.

The brand has reimagined its original look with a new bespoke bottle, embossed with a stylised botanical pattern that symbolises the distillery’s location on the edge of Victoria Forest Park on the West Coast, with its 2,000 square kilometres of native rainforest.

Many of the botanicals vapour-infused in Little Biddy Gin are foraged directly from the Reefton rainforest.

Reefton Distilling Co. Founder and Chief Executive Patsy Bass says their Reefton location provides everything that the distillery needs to create their

premium award-winning gins, vodka, and liqueurs, with native forests full of botanicals, and access to some of the purest water on earth.

She says the new bottle design for Little Biddy is part of the brand’s sustainability ethos. “Living and working in this stunningly beautiful, pristine environment, actively reducing our demand on the planet was something that we wanted to enshrine into our operating model from the very beginning.

“As a B Corp certified business, environmental impact is always top of mind, and this lighter glass bottle is produced closer to the distillery than our original bottle, is more efficient to ship and has smaller labels, all reducing our impact on the planet.”

SHOWCASE

Reach for Rye Malt Whisky from Archie Rose Distilling Co. THE AWARD-WINNING Rye Malt Whisky from Australian distillery Archie Rose Distilling Co. is now available through Hancocks.

The distinctive spirit is made using selectively sourced rare malted rye and the finest malted barley paired with virgin American oak casks airdried for 36 months.

Virgin American oak is renowned for imparting high levels of vanilla, sweet spices and coconut.

The oak in these casks is air-dried then toasted and charred to help create the signature Archie Rose Distilling Co. flavour profile.

What makes Archie Rose Distilling Co. Rye Malt Whisky unique: • Voted ‘World’s Best Rye Whisky’ at World Whiskies Awards and World Whisky Masters • Crafted with the finest malted rye and barley sourced from local producers • Virgin oak casks air-dried in the maritime air of coastal Sydney for 36 months.

Archie Rose Distilling Co. Rye Malt Whisky

A layered, aromatic spirit that offers notes of spiced custard, ginger, stone fruit and baked apple pie with a fresh herbal finish that lingers on the palate.

46% ABV, 700ml RRP $119.

For trade inquiries contact your Hancocks rep or call 0800 699 463.

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The new look Little Biddy bottle, which will roll out from October, also provides a distinct and more contemporary look for hospitality and retail outlets, and the home bar. The slimmer, lighter glass bottle is easier to hold and pour from too.

Little Biddy Gin Classic will now be in a green glass bottle, evoking the New Zealand rainforest, while other main SKUs in the range, including Little Biddy Gin Pink, and Spiced Apple, will move to a clear glass bottle. The embossed exterior of each bottle also adds another sensory dimension to the Little Biddy experience.

EuroVintage

SPIRITS NEWS

Global winners in Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series 2024 THE WINNERS of the Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series 2024 competition have been announced following the global final in Ireland.

Andrea Marseglia, co-owner of Teresa Bar in Napier, was among ten international finalists who gathered in Cork to showcase their Jameson Black Barrel cocktails in front of more than 100 industry guests.

They had earlier been challenged to create a unique, regionally-inspired cocktail that championed their local cultures and communities, using Jameson Black Barrel.

Andrea’s cocktail, ‘Jupiter’s Acorn’, used fallen leaves from a tree.

The final top 10 cocktails, representing four continents across the globe, were judged anonymously by their peers.

The Global Winners were then revealed as Vladimir Reitenbakh (Kazakhstan), Josh Black (UK) and Rohan Matmary (Malaysia).

Rohan’s entry ‘Day & Night’ took inspiration from local breakfast culture bringing a unique lens to his Jameson Black Barrel cocktail and heroing local Malaysian ingredients including local coffee, local Trigona cacao and Kaya Toast, a Malaysian cult breakfast product.

Vladamir Reitenbakh used Ku Miss (fermented mare’s milk), aged camel milk and Navat grape sugar in his entry ‘Nomad’, while Josh Black’s entry ‘Paint it Black’ was designed to enhance Jameson Black Barrel

with the addition of British raspberries, cream soda and black tea, inspired by British rock ‘n roll culture.

Each of the three global winners received a cash prize of €5,000 in addition to special access to the first ever Jameson HOSTS mentorship programme, where industry giants including Remy Savage, Danil Nevsky, Ezra Star and Beckaly Franks will work with each of the winners to complete a range of face to face and virtual mentorship sessions.

SHOWCASE

Reid + Reid now available from Hancocks CRAFT DISTILLERY Reid + Reid is now distributed through Hancocks – offering their range of distinctly New Zealand gins, as well as a Bitter Aperitivo and Red Vermouth for making a truly New Zealand Negroni.

Located in Martinborough, Red + Reid was founded in 2015 by brothers Stewart and Chris Reid. With their backgrounds in engineering and winemaking, Stew and Chris set up Reid + Reid to challenge the perception of a “classic” gin and promote New Zealand’s unique natural flora.

mānuka, kawakawa and horopito. Reid + Reid Native Gin is available in 700ml and 5L formats.

Their gin offering also includes the Reid + Reid Rev. Dawson’s Gin, named for Stewart and Chris Reid’s great-great-grandfather who

was one of New Zealand’s leading Prohibitionists.

Reid + Reid Zesty Lemon Gin is a recent addition to the line-up – a fresh and vibrant gin full of lemon character.

Distiller Chris Reid has also created his spin on some

Italian classics with a Reid + Reid Bitter Aperitivo and Red Vermouth, making it simple to create a truly New Zealand Reid + Reid Negroni.

For trade inquiries contact your Hancocks rep or call 0800 699 463.

The Reid + Reid range

Their first product was Native Gin, now Reid + Reid’s flagship product and bestseller. First created nearly a decade ago, it was one of the first locally-made gins to highlight the idea of a sense of place and to showcase New Zealand flora, using

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SPIRITS NEWS

Art of Shaking releases Season 3 THE ART of Shaking (TAOS), an independent global platform offering online training for bartenders, has launched its third season with leading cocktail bar Paradiso of Barcelona.

The bar’s founder, Giacomo Giannotti, will educate bartenders on the “mixology and magic” created behind the bar, which led Paradiso and the team to win No.1 at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022.

The Art of Shaking was created

by Simone Caporale of SIPS in Barcelona (winner of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) and

international drinks industry figure Luca Missaglia.

As the first bartender-led, paidfor subscription training programme, TAOS is completely independent and not sponsored by any brands.

Giacomo presents the new season and covers a variety of educational topics with 23 lessons across three categories. The videos focus on

developing liquid masterpieces through imagination and art in mixology, how to remain creative while striving for sustainability, and how to execute the ultimate bar techniques.

Throughout the video lessons he showcases his methods behind the techniques and inspiration for Paradiso’s latest cocktail menu ‘Mysteries of the World’.

The videos (available via subscription) are available in English and Spanish, with subtitles available in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Spring gin from Juno TARANAKI-BASED JUNO Gin has launched its Spring 2024 release, with co-creator Jo James describing it as a walk through a “mythical blossoming orchard”. The Juno 2024 Limited Edition Spring Seasonal Gin is full of jasmine flowers and green apple with a hint of lemon.

44% ABV, 700ml RRP $135.

theartofshaking.com

Order direct through Juno at junogin.com

SHOWCASE

Raise expectations with The Glendronach THE GLENDRONACH distillery, a revered cornerstone amongst Scotland’s single malt distilleries for almost 200 years, has unveiled its next visual chapter.

Under the tagline ‘Raise Expectations’, it is launching a new brand identity with a sumptuous campaign created by renowned Scottish-born photographer and director Rankin.

The rebranding includes a visually stunning video featuring a Spanish flamenco dancer, symbolising the fusion of Scottish heritage and Spanish sherry cask influence.

The overall rebranding strategy encourages both existing fans and new consumers to expect more from The Glendronach, reflecting its commitment to quality while also appealing to contemporary sensibilities.

A luxurious look

Packaging changes are designed to position The Glendronach as a more premium product. The updated design, with its refined bottle and luxurious touches, aims to align the physical appearance with the quality of the whisky inside. This is crucial for attracting a high-end market while maintaining the brand’s identity.

As part of the reimagined design, the addition of a curated brand pattern

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depicting the bramble and rooks that surround and protect the distillery speaks to place and pays homage to its namesake: ‘Glendronach’ means ‘Valley of the Brambles’ in Scots Gaelic.

A new appeal

“We hope the range rebrand will invite a broader audience, including the new luxury drinker, who seek to explore a rewarding whisky experience from a brand with substance and style,” says Hancocks Spirits Brand Manager Reece

Raulet. “The prestigious bottle structure presented in a refined manner, luxury cues like the embossing, an improved premium label highlighting the sherry cask maturation process, and luxury marketing will help deliver this.”

The new-look packaging will release to the New Zealand market in midNovember with The Glendronach 12YO and 15YO single malts.

For trade inquiries contact your Hancocks rep or call 0800 699 463.

SPIRITS NEWS

A mythical release from Ardbeg THE SECOND release in Ardbeg’s Anthology Collection of “rare and strange” single malts is now available in New Zealand.

‘Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale’ is Ardbeg’s first whisky matured in a marriage of Madeira wine casks and bourbon casks. Aged 14 years, the limited edition whisky has powerful bursts of smoke, notes of banana, menthol and lime.

The Ardbeg Anthology Collection comprises unusual single malts from the distillery, which cross classic Ardbeg with experimental stock for new flavour combinations.

In homage to the whiskies’ outlandish “hybrid” style, each malt’s name and packaging are inspired by a different mythological creature.

The Unicorn’s Tale follows Ardbeg Anthology’s inaugural release, The Harpy’s Tale, which marries classic Ardbeg

with the distillery’s first whisky aged in Sauternes sweet white wine casks.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation, said: “At Ardbeg we love to experiment with how we can push our spirit’s smoky balance into new worlds of flavour.

Some time ago, we decided to try maturing Ardbeg in unusual cask types for the distillery to create sweet and smoky ‘hybrids’– and so the Anthology Collection was born.

“The Unicorn’s Tale has been created by marrying classic Ardbeg matured in bourbon casks with a parcel of whisky wholly matured in sweet Madeira wine casks. The outcome is a whisky bursting with notes of banana bread and tropical fruit, fused with Ardbeg’s hallmark flavours of camphor, lime zest and wood smoke.”

Pernod Ricard

SHOWCASE

Unique new bottle for imagination PREMIUM CRAFT New Zealand distillery, imagination, has continued their ‘not your ordinary’ ethos by introducing a unique new bottle throughout their full product range. The innovative design is absolute class meets creativity!

Where tattoo artists were used for the artwork on their previous bottles, now one all-encompassing design is embossed into the glass bottle, telling the company story. “imagination exists to create a premium experience that brings people together

and encourages imagination through creativity, so this is always at the heart of everything we do,” explains imaginaton co-founder Chris Charteris.

And the imagination team are not stopping there, with plans to continue crafting extraordinary spirits by extending their product range in eyecatching and mouth-watering ways.

With the growing importance of brand development and storytelling, this is a clear sign imagination is building on this.

“Our passion for quality shows through in our selection of ingredients and methods, and by having our very own recognisable bottle to complement this passion and help grow the premium customer experience of imagination domestically and internationally,” says Chris.

As well as having a very striking presence on the shelves, one special aspect of the new custom bottle is the reusable element. The imagination team is encouraging their followers to use their own imagination in reusing these bottles.

The bottom section of the bottle is the size of a standard 380ml glass with a fun imagination tagline on the bottom, for those who look hard enough. imagination

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DISTRIBUTORS DIRECTORY

Distributors 1919 Distilling 021 0242 2067 1919distilling.com

5 Mile Distilling

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners NZ 0800 692 337 cocacolaep.com

5mile.nz

Cook & Nelson

Armada Spirits

orders@cookandnelson.com cookandnelson.com

info@armadaspirits.co.nz armadaspirits.co.nz

Asahi Beverages NZ 09 298 3000 asahibeverages.co.nz

Astrolabe Wines 03 577 6794 astrolabewines.co.nz

Bach Brewing 09 390 0149 bachbrewing.co.nz

Behemoth Brewing 09 948 0425 behemothbrewing.co.nz

Beverage Brothers 03 390 1377 beveragebrothers.co.nz

Black Collar Distillery 09 407 4429 blackcollardistillery.com

Blanc angie@blancnz.co.nz blancnz.co.nz

Bluff Distillery info@bluffdistillery.com bluffdistillery.com

Blush Gin 021 612 165 blushginstore.co.nz

The Bond Store 021 667 683 thebondstore.co.nz

Brandhouse 0508 468 688 brandhouse.co.nz

Broken Heart Spirits 03 442 0819 brokenheartspirits.com

Cardrona Distillery 03 443 1393 cardronadistillery.com

Chemistry Gin

Coromandel Distilling Co. info@corodc.com corodc.com

DB Breweries 0800 746 432 db.co.nz

Dunedin Craft Distillers 027 479 7714 dunedincraftdistillers.nz

Elsewhere Gin mark@elsewheregin.com elsewheregin.com

Emerson’s 03 477 1812 emersons.co.nz

EuroVintage 0800 388 766 eurovintage.co.nz

Exceptional Flavours 022 0399 633 exceptionalflavours.co.nz

Federal Merchants 0800 846 824 federalmerchants.co.nz

Folding Hill 021 182 2986 foldinghill.co.nz

Foley Wines 03 572 8200 sales@foleywines.co.nz

Forrest 03 572 9084 forrest.co.nz

Garage Project 027 535 0917 garageproject.co.nz

Giesen Group 03 344 6270 giesen.co.nz

Glengarry

chemistrygin.com

0800 733 505 glengarry.co.nz

Choice Beverages

Good George

info@choicebeverages.co.nz homebodygin.com

07 846 9364 goodgeorge.co.nz

Clarity Distilling Co.

Great Little Vineyards

021 0405 235 claritydc.co.nz

09 529 0935 greatlittlevineyards.com

102 DRINKSBIZ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2024

Greytown Distilling

McLeod’s Brewery

Sprig + Fern

info@greytowngin.com greytowngin.com

021 382 342 mcleodsbrewery.co.nz

03 544 8675 sprigandfern.co.nz

Hancocks

Mineral

Stone Pony Wines

0800 699 463 hancocks.co.nz

orders@mineralwine.co.nz mineral.co.nz

orders@stoneponywines.co.nz stoneponywines.co.nz

Hastings Distillers

Mothers Ruined Gin

Sunshine Brewing

06 870 3991 hastingsdistillers.com

hello@mothersruinedgin.com mothersruinedgin.com

office@sunshinebrewery.co.nz sunshinebrewing.co.nz

Hi I.Q. Liquor Merchants

Mt Fyffe Distillery

Suntory Global Spirits

021 135 4796 mtfyffedistillery.co.nz

0800 69 23 37 beamsuntory.com

The National Distillery Company

Taylor Brown

09 634 4202 hiiqliquor.co.nz

Holland Road hollandroad.co.nz

Humdinger 027 463 4790 humdinger.nz

imagination

06 833 7317 nationaldistillery.nz

Negociants 0800 634 624 negociantsnz.com

09 447 3801 taylorbrown.co.nz

Te Kano Estate 03 928 6951 tekanoestate.com

Thirsty Camel

imaginationgin.nz

No8 Distillery

Indevin

no8distillery@gmail.com no8distillery.com

customerservice@thirstycamel. co.nz thirstycamel.co.nz

Papaiti Gin

Thomson Whisky

info@indevin.com indevin.com

Invivo Wines 0800 468 486 invivowines.com

Island Gin 09 429 0690 Islandgin.com

Kaimai Brewing and Distilling

020 4070 6700 papaitigin.co.nz

Parrotdog 04 384 8077 parrotdog.co.nz

thomsonwhisky.co.nz

Tickety-Boo Liquor 09 377 7597 tickety-boo.co.nz

Twelfth Hour

Peckham’s

twelfthhourdistillery.co.nz

lois@peckhams.co.nz peckhams.co.nz

The Vicar’s Son

027 678 9752 kaimaibrewinganddistilling. co.nz

Pernod Ricard

021 832 440 vicarsson.co.nz

0800 655 550 pernod-ricard-nz.com

Vintners NZ

Kākāpo Distillery

Premium Liquor Co.

hello@kakapodistillery.co.nz kakapodistillery.co.nz

09 975 7432 premiumliquor.co.nz

Kono

Proof & Company

04 546 8648 kono.co.nz

ordersnz@proofandcompany. com proofandcompany.com

Lion 0800 107 272 lionco.com

Makan Distiller 09 276 8185 makan.co.nz

Marisco 09 522 9684 marisco.co.nz

Matahiwi Estate 06 370 1000 matahiwi.co.nz

Matahui Distillery 07 282 7652 matahuidistillery.com

Q Liquid 09 636 7730 qll.co.nz

Red + White Cellar 09 376 0760 redwhitecellar.co.nz

Sawmill Brewery 09 422 6555 sawmillbrewery.co.nz

Settlement Wines 021 804 441 settlementwines.co.nz

Slight Twist Brewing Co. hello@slight-twist.co.nz slight-twist.co.nz

0800 687 9463 vintners.co.nz

Wag & Co orders@wagandco.nz wagandco.nz

Waiheke Distilling 09 372 7797 waihekedistilling.co.nz

Whisky Galore 03 377 6824 trade.whiskygalore.co.nz

Whitehaven 021 738 315 whitehaven.co.nz

Wild Earth Wines 03 445 4841 wildearthwines.co.nz

Wine2Trade 021 1800 253 sue@wine2trade.co.nz

World@BWS sales@worldbws.co.nz worldbws.co.nz

CONTACT YOUR HANCOCKS REPRESENTATIVE FOR DETAILS FREE PHONE: 0800 699 463 FREE FAX: 0800 329 946 www.hancocks.co.nz