HHH KLC Gin

KLC stands for Kaffir Lime & Cumquat, the two ingredients that distinguish this 40% gin from HHH Spirits. The first recipe developed by the Western Australian distillery, it combines lime leaves and whole kumquats grown at HHH with juniper, coriander seeds, cassia bark, angelica root, liquorice root and almond meal. Its base spirit is made from Western Australian wheat starch.

Citrus · Spicy · Herbal

The lime leaves bring a fragrant citrus-green note, while whole kumquats add a sharper, slightly bitter edge. Juniper remains deliberately clear, and HHH describes it as amplified by its combination with the lime leaves. Coriander adds a light spice; cassia gives warmth, and the roots bring drier depth beneath the citrus. The result is fresh and full-flavoured, with the kumquat and lime keeping the palate lively while the juniper gives it a recognisable gin centre.

KLC was first released in September 2020 and was HHH's first recipe. The botanicals are maceratedMacerationBotanicals soak in alcohol, from a few hours to several days, before distillation to release their aromas.Glossary before full-reflux distillation, a process the distillery identifies for this gin. HHH says the kumquats and lime leaves grow on its property, linking the recipe to the Bickley Valley rather than relying only on imported citrus. It can be mixed with tonic or soda water, or served without a mixer, so the juniper and local citrus can be explored at different levels of dilutionDilutionThe water added by melting ice. In the right amount it opens the aromas and softens the alcohol; too much flattens the drink.Glossary.

The distillery's suggested pairing is tonic with a fresh lime wedge. For this gin and tonic, fill 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 with clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary, add 4 cl of KLC and 10 cl of Schweppes Tonic Water, then add a lime wheel and one small kumquat inside the glass. Repeat the lime and kumquat on a plate beside it. A classic tonic keeps the mixer direct; fresh lime extends the leaf's citrus character, while the kumquat repeats the ingredient that gives the initials their meaning.

KLC is an easy gin to compare neat and mixed. A small neat pour makes the juniper more immediate and lets the lime leaf's perfume rise; a little water can bring the kumquat's peel-like bitterness forward. Tonic lengthens the drink without hiding its citrus. The garnish should remain simple and fresh, as the gin already contains enough botanical detail to make several aromatic additions unnecessary.