In Joadja, a valley in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales once known for its shale-oil mining, Joadja Distillery handcrafts this London Dry with spring water drawn on site. Joadja Creek once supported a kerosene shale mining town in the late nineteenth century, whose ruins still stand in the quiet valley today. The gin is distilled with a Carter Head configuration, in which the delicate botanicals sit in a basket in the vapour path, and it reaches 43% ABV in its 70 cl bottle.

Citrus · Dry · Spicy · Floral

Six botanicals make up the recipe: juniper, coriander seed, cardamom, aniseed and angelica root, with lemon myrtle as the Australian signature. The producers call the result savoury and versatile, combining traditional and native botanicals in a gin with a distinctly Australian character. In 2019 it took bronze medals in the London Dry category of the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards and at the Australian Gin Awards.

The profile is juniper-forward, light and floral on the nose, with notes of spice and eucalypt and a citrus finish. Lemon myrtle provides much of that citrus, with a bright, sherbet-like lemon scent, while aniseed and cardamom add a gentle sweetness and warmth. Angelica keeps the base dry and gives the finish its length. Eucalypt is a hallmark of many Australian gins, and here it comes through as a cool, green lift on the nose.

Joadja suggests enjoying it over ice, with soda water or tonic, or in cocktails, garnished with lemon or mint. Mixed with tonic, a lemon wheel picks up the lemon myrtle and a small sprig of mint lifts the eucalypt note; mint suits that freshness better than cucumber. With soda instead of tonic, the drink becomes drier and lets the native botanical lead.