Mt Fyffe Woolshed Gin

Floral elderflower meets the earthy tones of kānuka and the freshness of mint in Woolshed Gin, from Mt Fyffe Distillery in Kaikōura. The traditional gin botanicals of juniper, coriander and angelica root complete the recipe, which the distillery says gives the gin bold botanical notes that make you want another sip. It is a small-batchSmall batchProduction in small quantities per distillation run, often in a small still. The term has no legal definition.Glossary gin, bottled at 42% ABV in a 750 ml bottle.

Dry · Floral · Herbal · Earthy

Kānuka, a native tree close to mānuka, brings an earthy, slightly resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary and honeyed note, like walking through scrub after rain. Elderflower adds a delicate, sweet floral perfume, and mint a cool, green freshness on the finish. JuniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary sets the dry, piney centre, coriander gives a light citrus spice, and angelica root an earthy depth that ties the green notes together. The balance moves from floral and fresh to earthy and dry. The woolshed, the shearing shed found on every New Zealand sheep farm, is a fitting name for a gin rooted in the land around Kaikōura. The mint stays fresh rather than sweet. The angelica gives the finish a dry, earthy length.

Mt Fyffe's distiller sustainably picks many of the botanicals throughout the year, as part of the distillery's Tiaki promise to tread lightly and take only what is needed. Its mint and elderflower suit a Southside or a spritz with sparkling wine, and a dry MartiniDry MartiniGin and a little dry vermouth, stirred over ice and served in a well-chilled stemmed glass, with an olive or a twist.Glossary brings out the kānuka. Neat over ice, the kānuka's honeyed note is easiest to find.

For the G&T, pour 45 ml of Woolshed Gin over ice in 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 and slowly add 100 ml of Fentimans Elderflower Tonic Water. Add a sprig of elderflower and a sprig of mint to the glass, and serve the same garnish on a small plate beside it. The elderflower tonic and the two sprigs echo the gin's floral and fresh notes.