Juno Winter 2026 Seasonal Gin

High on Fanthams Peak, the secondary cone on the flank of Taranaki Maunga, sits Syme Hut, a solitary winter refuge, and Juno's Winter 2026 gin captures the contrast of shelter against the elements. Rich golden syrup provides a velvety warmth, and a sharp, fiery kick of ginger cuts through like an alpine breeze. Bottled at 44% ABV, it is, as Juno puts it, complex, comforting and rewarding. Taranaki's snow-capped cone dominates the skyline above New Plymouth.

Limited Edition · Spicy

Golden syrup, the pale amber cane syrup of British kitchens, gives the gin a round, buttery sweetness and a fuller texture. Ginger answers with a direct, lively heat that builds on the palate and stops the sweetness from becoming heavy. JuniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary stays as the dry frame beneath, and the finish moves from warmth to spice, then to a clean, resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary close. The contrast matters more than either note on its own: syrup softens the first sip, and ginger takes over at the end. Tasted neat over ice, that shift is easy to follow. Served neat, the ginger shows its heat most clearly.

Like every Juno gin, it is made with New Zealand mountain water and hand-selected botanicals in a copper still. Its ginger and syrup make it a natural base for a Hot Toddy with lemon, a Gin Buck with ginger ale or a Penicillin-style drink made with gin. A splash of ginger beer makes an even warmer long drink for cold evenings. A twist of orangeTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary suits it neat as well.

For the G&T, pour 45 ml of Winter 2026 over firm ice and add 100 ml of Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic WaterAromatic tonicA more bitter tonic, often tinted by Angostura or other bitters. It suits spicy gins.Glossary. Place a fresh ginger slice and an orange twist in the glass, and serve the same garnishes beside it. The aromatic tonic suits the ginger without adding sugar, and the orange brightens the warmth.