Eleven botanicals and two distillations go into Astra, the contemporary London-style gin of The Winslow Distillery, the brand under which Enceladus Distilling works in New Zealand. The distillery makes its own neutral spirit by hand, then treats the botanicals by both maceration and vapour infusion. The 45% ABV gin comes in a 70 cl bottle whose black label, scattered with stars and nebulae, matches its name, which evokes the stars.

Citrus · Dry · Earthy

At the International Wine & Spirit Competition in 2024, Astra earned gold with 96 points, a score now printed on the label. The full list of botanicals is kept private, but the distillery describes the result clearly: strong juniper and caramelised citrus on the front of the palate, followed by a soft earthiness. Combining maceration, where botanicals steep in the spirit, with vapour infusion, where the more delicate ones sit in the path of the vapour, allows each to give its aroma without being cooked.

In the glass, juniper leads firmly, and the citrus reads as rounded, almost candied peel rather than sharp fresh juice. The earthy notes come through on the finish and give the gin length and depth. The distillery presents Astra as an ultra-smooth sipping gin, and at 45% ABV it shows best neat or over a single large ice cube; a few drops of water open the citrus further and soften the strength.

For a longer drink, use plenty of ice and a measured pour of Indian tonic, and express a twist of orange peel over the glass to echo the caramelised citrus. Stir once and keep the garnish to that single twist. Its smooth texture also suits a Martini, stirred with a dry vermouth and finished with orange rather than lemon, a combination that suits its rounded citrus.