Our barrel-aged gins were inspired by an Old Tom style gin from America. There were flavours we had never seen in gin before – toasty oak, a softness on the palate and enough botanicals to be unmistakably gin.
We sipped it neat. We tried it in cocktails. And we wanted to make one of our own. So, we put some Rare Dry Gin into old Chardonnay barrels at the end of 2013. And our Barrel Aged Gin first released in 2014 has now become our eleventh release Chardonnay Barrel Gin.
Our Barrel Aged Gin won gold in the USA (the home of dark spirits) soon after its release.
GOLD
San Francisco WSC
2015
We barrel-age our original Rare Dry Gin in French oak barrels, so the cardamom and cassia bark shines through.
Chardonnay Barrel
location: Yarra Valley
Our Chardonnay barrels give the beautiful colour and texture to our Chardonnay Barrel Gin. Changing with age, they create beautiful nuances of preserved ginger, vanillin and nutmeg.
Juniper
location: Macedonia
Without juniper, there is no gin. When distilled, it adds a medicinal flavour with notes of pine needles. Juniper is grown wild, and the berries are harvested by hand on mountain slopes.
Coriander
location: South Australia
We source coriander seeds locally for their intense aromatics. We use the dry seeds (not fresh leaves) and they produce amazing lemony citrus notes when crushed and distilled.
Green Cardamom
location: Guatemala
We use green cardamom, one of the most expensive spices in the world. The flavour is intense, giving sweet perfumed notes and ginger characteristics when distilled.
Cassia
location: Sri Lanka
This spice is made from the bark of East Asian trees related to the ‘true cinnamon’ of Sri Lanka. Cassia adds a distinct richness to our gin, bringing all the other spices together.
Star anise
location: Vietnam
We source ours from Vietnam and the aromatics are insane. When we open a small package of star anise the entire distillery fills with aromas of fresh liquorice, sarsaparilla and pastis.
Lavender
location: Yarra Valley
Lavender is used sparingly to lift the other aromatics, so it isn’t an obvious character in the final gin. Grown locally, though occasionally we have to source from France.
Angelica
location: Netherlands
We use the root of the plant, which has a very earthy, mushroom or woody smell. Angelica adds to the soft texture of the final gin, along with a very, very subtle bitterness.
Pepperberry
location: Tasmania
We use the leaf of the Tasmanian pepperberry. This local botanical works so well with our Asian spices, adding warmth and length to the palate without adding heat.
Lemon Myrtle
location: Queensland
Lemon myrtle is a beautiful alternative to lemon peel when distilling. Its floral character mingles with the other spices without dominating any flavours, textures or aromas.
Orange
location: Australia
In Australia we’re lucky to have oranges all year round, from different growers depending on the season. Fresh biodynamic oranges give warm Mediterranean citrus notes that lift all the spices.
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This gin is for sipping and mixing, but we don’t suggest trying it with tonic water.
No.1_CHARDONNAY SOCIALIST
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Guilty pleasures, we all have them. Be true to yourself and give in to your Chardonnay side.
No.2_BARREL AGED RICKEY
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This classic cocktail is an easy, refreshing highball that marries tart, sweet and bitter.
No.3_On The Rocks
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Let the rich barrel flavours shine through in the purest way possible.
No.4_OLD FASHIONED
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Bold, robust and perfect for cocktail royalty in our version of the Old Fashioned.
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No.1_CHARDONNAY SOCIALIST
The gin takes the front seat on this playful riff on a Hanky Panky. Minty fresh and a little sweet, the perfect mix for the cooler months.
INGREDIENTS
- 35mL Chardonnay Barrel Gin
- 10mL Lillet Blanc
- 7.5mL Aperol
- 7.5mL Clear Crème de Menthe
- Lemon twist
METHOD
- Stir all ingredients and strain into a chilled coupette
- Garnish with a lemon twist
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No.2_BARREL AGED RICKEY
A fancy gin highball made of Chardonnay Barrel Gin, pomegranate and salted grapefruit. This is our savoury version of a Rickey.
INGREDIENTS
- 45mL Chardonnay Barrel Gin
- 15mL Pomegranate Grenadine
- StrangeLove Salted Grapefruit Soda
- Grapefruit
METHOD
- Add the gin, grenadine and soda to a highball over ice
- Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit
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No.4_OLD FASHIONED
Who said whiskey gets all the serious drinks? This gin may even give the sternest whiskey fan a run for their money. Bold, robust and perfect for cocktail royalty in our version of the Old Fashioned.
INGREDIENTS
- 60mL Chardonnay Barrel Gin
- 5ml Sugar Syrup (1:1)
- 2 Dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters
- Orange twist
METHOD
- Stir and strain into rocks over block ice
- Garnish with an orange twist
We started barrel-ageing back in 2013, and our Chardonnay Barrel Gin has been getting better ever since then.
Our barrel-aged gins
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