Triple-distilled from botanicals harvested entirely in the century-old gardens of Otahuna, and cut with water drawn from the estate, Chapter One is a limited gin made by Otahuna Lodge with Elsewhere Gin. Otahuna is a historic lodge near Christchurch, in Canterbury, and Elsewhere Gin specialises in handcrafted regional gins built on botanicals from New Zealand's remote landscapes. Chapter One comes in a 50 cl bottle at 42% ABV, its name hinting at further chapters to come.

Citrus · Limited Edition · Fruity · Herbal

Each batch takes at least twelve months from conception to bottle, because the botanicals are gathered as they come into season in the gardens before the final blending. The full list is not disclosed, but the collaboration describes the finished gin through three notes: finger lime, honeydew melon and Vietnamese mint. The partners present the project as a celebration of place, nature and craftsmanship. The gardens surround a Queen Anne-style homestead built in 1895 and supply herbs, fruit and flowers through the seasons.

Finger lime gives a bright, tangy citrus, quite different from ordinary lime, while honeydew melon brings a soft, juicy sweetness to the middle of the palate. Vietnamese mint adds a fresh, slightly peppery herbal lift on the finish. Juniper holds those notes together, and the triple distillation gives the spirit a clean, smooth texture, soft enough to enjoy neat.

Otahuna suggests enjoying it in a refined gin and tonic, in cocktails or simply over ice with lemon. For the long drink, build it over firm ice, lengthen it with Indian tonic, then add a thin twist of lemon and a small leaf of Vietnamese mint without crushing it. Over ice, a strip of lemon peel is enough to lift the citrus and let the melon note come through.