Manly Spirits Barrel Aged Gin

Manly Spirits makes its Barrel AgedBarrel-aged ginGin rested for a while in wooden casks. It picks up a golden colour and notes of vanilla, spice or the wine that filled the cask before.GlossarySee Barrel-aged gin gins Gin in Sydney from the distillery's Australian Dry GinDry ginGin with no perceptible sweetness: in the European Union, the word "dry" allows at most 0.1 g of sugar per litre.GlossarySee Dry gin gins and bottles it at 45%. The producer matures it in two oak casks: one that held Kentucky bourbon and another that held Tasmanian single malt whisky. A small addition of Manly Spirits whisky, aged for six months, completes the bottling. Its botanical recipe remains that of the marine-inspired gin, with juniper, angelica, orris, coriander seed, cardamom, anise myrtle, orange peel, finger lime, sea lettuce and mountain pepper leaf.

Citrus · Woody · Fruity · Vanilla

The tasting notes begin with light vanilla and oak on the nose, alongside delicate pine and pepper. Orange sweetness opens the palate, dried fruit follows through the middle, and the finish is dry with a light oak edge. The casks add a second layer to the gin rather than replacing its botanical core: juniper and the coastal ingredients remain present beneath the wood, while the whisky finish connects the barrel character to the distillery's own spirits.

Manly Spirits describes it as a smooth, versatile gin for sipping, serving with tonic or using in a rich, smoky cocktail. It won Best Australian Matured Gin at the World Gin Awards in 2020. The distillery's bar lists lemon, rosemary and juniper berriesJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary as the G&T garnish. Lemon brings freshness to the oak and orange notes; rosemary echoes the savoury herbs, and a few juniper berries make the underlying gin character visible.

For a long drink, add 4 cl of Barrel Aged Gin to a balloon glassCopa glassA large stemmed balloon glass, popularised by the Spanish gin and tonic: it stays cold for longer and gathers the aromas above the drink.Glossary filled with clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary, then pour in 10 cl of Fever-Tree Indian Tonic WaterIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary. Place a thin lemon slice and a small rosemary sprig in the glass and stir gently once. Set lemon, rosemary and a few juniper berries on a small plate beside it. Citrus keeps the oak from dominating, while rosemary bridges the dry finish and the marine botanicals. The same gin can also be enjoyed neat, where vanilla, orange and oak are more concentrated.