Hunter Distillery Native Gin

Finger lime, lilly pilly, Kakadu plum and cinnamon myrtle bring an Australian accent to Hunter Distillery Native Gin, alongside juniper and coriander. It is made in Pokolbin, in the Hunter Valley, and sold at 40% ABV in half-litre bottles. The name refers to those native botanicals.

Citrus · Spicy · Fruity

Citrus and gentle spice lead the profile. Finger limeFinger limeAn Australian citrus whose pulp forms tiny tart pearls that burst in the mouth.Glossary gives a bright, tangy citrus note, while lilly pilly and Kakadu plum bring fruit: lilly pilly with a light, clove-like berry character, Kakadu plum with a tart, sharp edge. Cinnamon myrtle adds a warm, sweet-spice aroma beside the coriander. Juniper and coriander keep the classic gin framework in view, so the native fruit and citrus read as accents rather than as the whole story. The finish is fresh, with the cinnamon myrtle lingering. Kakadu plum, a small native fruit from northern Australia, is known for its sharp, sour taste and lends the gin a lively edge. Cinnamon myrtle smells of cinnamon but carries a fresher, leafier note.

Hunter Distillery recommends Native Gin with tonic and a twist of orangeTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary, a simple long drink that gives the citrus and fruit room without hiding them. At 40%, it is also easy to taste neat, where the cinnamon myrtle is most noticeable. Its gentle spice and native fruit also suit a GimletGimletGin with lime cordial or sweetened lime juice, served well chilled without ice. It is said to come from the Royal Navy, as a guard against scurvy.Glossary or a Tom CollinsTom CollinsA long drink of gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda water, served over ice in a tall glass.Glossary, where fresh citrus juice brings out the finger lime.

For a 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 5 cl of gin and 10 cl of Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water, and stir gently once. Finish with finger lime and a small orange twist. The finger lime repeats the native citrus, and the orange twist follows the distillery's own suggestion. The orange adds a softer citrus beside the sharper finger lime.