Kangaroo Island Spirits was the primary devoted gin distillery to open in Australia again in 2006.
Founders Jon and Sarah Lark just lately stepped away from the enterprise and it has now undergone a re-development to draw extra guests and spotlight its historical past and pedigree.
The Distillery
The largest addition to Kangaroo Island Spirits is a brand new distillery constructing that homes a big new nonetheless which is a world away from the unique. You’ll see what I imply in case you take a look at the highest proper nook of the beneath picture, sure, it’s the tiny pot that appears like a stress cooker.
Charlie Schmidt has taken over the reigns as gin distiller, having labored alongside Jon and Sarah, making him one of many few second era distillers – Charlie’s dad is Ian Schmidt, proprietor of Tin Shed distillery.
Alongside the working a part of the distillery there’s a masterclass space the place you may mix your personal gin or craft your cocktail making expertise.
Cellar door
The cellar door, the place you may store for gin, merchandise and order drinks, is housed in one of many authentic distillery buildings. It’s surrounded by a spacious gin backyard the place you may calm down and unwind with a drink or two and snacks from the resident meals truck.
Botanical gardens
Foraged elements is a trademark of Kangaroos Island gins, and foraging was occurring right here properly earlier than it turned modern. Juniper communis grows right here and so they have been the primary gin to characteristic native juniper (boobialla) as a botanical. The growth of the gardens gives Charlie a wider vary of vegetation to experiment with.
Kangaroo Island Spirits gin
Kangaroo Island gins are a few of the most awarded gins in Australia and every one reveals a distinct aspect of the wild great thing about Kangaroo Island.
O Gin
O Gin is a recent gin with a nod to the traditional London Dry fashion gins. Juniper and citrus are complemented by means of native coastal daisy (generally referred to as wild rosemary), ‘Olearia Axillaris’. This vegetation is foraged from native seashores and imparts candy piney notes that work brilliantly with the juniper and zesty orange characters. These robust flavours are complimented with heat asian peppers within the background.
Mulberry gin
This riff on a sloe gin is totally scrumptious. The group have been impressed by the historic mulberry tree that grows close to the distillery. Mulberries are steeped in Kangaroo Island Spirits gin to extract the wealthy flavours from the berries.
It’s a candy gin, however tart flavours from the fruit present a pleasant steadiness and cease it being sickly.
This can be a seasonal gin made in restricted portions. It’s scrumptious served neat over ice or paired with lemon tonic. I discover it to be a superb accompaniment to the cheese board!
Wild gin
I first fell in love with Wild Gin again in 2014 (you may learn the unique publish right here.) and it’s my favorite of the vary. It’s a savoury gin with numerous complexity and heat. It’s a superb martini gin, though it’s equally at residence in a Negroni.
Whisky Barrel Aged gin
Again within the day, gin was transported round England in outdated whisky barrels, so barrel-aged gins are nothing new.
Kangaroo Island Spirits create their model by maturing their Wild gin in single malt whisky barrels to create a pleasant sipping gin that has flavours of buttery oak, vanilla and a novel whisky character.
Previous Tom Gin
Previous Tom gins pre-date the London Dry fashion gins which might be so common immediately. As gin manufacturing was very primary, candy elements have been added to masks the nasty flavour of the gin . This fashion of gin is the premise of some very traditional cocktails just like the Tom Collins.
Kangaroo Island Spirits’ Previous Tom gin is infused with domestically grown aniseed and lemon myrtle, earlier than being flippantly aged in re-charred French oak barrels. This provides depth and complexity to steadiness the sweetness of the gin.
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Visiting Kangaroo Island Spirits
856 Playford Hwy, Cygnet River SA 5223.
Monday – Sunday: 10:30am – 5:30pm
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