Calling all Gin-lovers: Exotic Australian Gins you need to try!

“The only day I ever enjoyed ironing was the day I accidentally got gin in the steam iron.” – Phyllis Diller

We don’t recommend putting gin in the iron, but we certainly recommend seeking out some of these fabulous Australian gins and forgetting all about the ironing. Australian distilleries have a range of local ingredients to add in with the signature juniper berry that is required to call gin a gin.

Combine these unique ingredients of their region or farm produce with their own distilling equipment and personalised techniques and no one gin is going to be the same. This sounds like an excuse to try them all!

Here’s a selection of Aussie gins to put on your list.

Brookie’s Gin

Based near Byron Bay in Northern NSW, the Cape Byron Distillery has been producing gin since Eddie Brook began using his farm’s macadamia nuts and native flowers from the local rainforest to create Brookie’s Gin. Brookie's Byron Dry Gin is a 46% ABV dry gin that’s distilled with native botanicals foraged from within the heart of the rainforest, it is hand- crafted on the farm and is a beautifully balanced combination of the finest regional botanicals such as native raspberry, aniseed myrtle, cinnamon myrtle and white aspen berry in a truly classic English-style Australian gin. 350ml from just $46.20.

Four Pillars Distillery

Award winning Four Pillars might be based in Healesville, but it collaborates with distilleries in Sweden and Japan and features a range with 12 gins. We love the spice tones of the Four Pillars Modern Australian gin. Red and green Szechuan give it a lovely warm mouthfeel, while the macadamia nuts give it softness and an almost creamy palate. The fresh rose glow with citrus flavours such as apples, fresh tangelos, fresh grapefruit peel and dry native quandong add fruit and lift. From $84.88 for a 700 ml bottle.

Never Never Distilling Co

The team of three mates who produce gins at the Never Never Distilling Co distillery in South Australia surely must have a large shelf to keep all their awards! Their Southern Strength Gin has won yet another medal, this time Silver in the Over-proof category at the 2023 Australian Gin Awards. From $90.20 for 700ml.

West Winds Sabre Gin

The award winning West Winds Sabre is a uniquely Australian take on a traditional London Dry style gin. With a bronze medal at the 2023 Australian Gin Awards, the flavours in this bright, aromatic gin are led by an undercurrent of citrus with a dominance of juniper, followed by the classic coriander seed. The addition of wattle seed adds a depth to the mid palate and introduces a creamy texture to the gin. Perfect as a classic G&T with lemon to release the intricacies of this uniquely styled gin. From $65.99 for a 700ml bottle.

Van Dieman’s Gin – Lawrenny

Built in 1818, the historic Lawrenny Estate sits on the banks on the pristine Derwent River in Tasmania. The estate is home to an artisan gin distillery producing three gins, including Van Dieman’s Gin, which has previously won a gold medal in Australia and at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Inspiration for Van Dieman’s Gin has been taken from the surrounds of the distillery, using botanicals grown within Lawrenny’s own orchard, including strawberries and almonds, as well as lime flowers, that blossom as the distillery transitions from the harsh winter and blooms into spring.

Van Diemen’s profile reflects a bright, sunny spring day at the Estate. The fruity notes bloom from the glass and the fresh herbal fragrances intertwine with the soft, sweet palate leaving you with a lingering finish that ensures you will be coming back for more. 4200ml bottles from $79.

Signature Gin – 23rd Street Distillery

The spectacular Chateau Tanunda was built in 1890 and is the site of some of the Barossa Valley’s first grape vines. The Chateau Tanunda built the Twenty Third Street Distillery in 1914 and the multi-award winning Signature Gin is one of three gins produced here.

The Distiller individually infuses ten botanicals including traditional juniper and coriander, complemented by zesty local citrus. By layering flavours, with astute blending, they create a layered palate and full-bodied mouthfeel. Aromas are led by juniper, Riverland mandarin and coriander with hints of spices. On the palate, juniper is closely followed by a mandarin middle and fresh lime on the back palate. Spices support with softness and complexity. Enjoy neat, as the star of a cocktail or mixed with tonic or soda and garnished with citrus. Try a 200ml bottle from just $20.

Green Ant Gin – Seven Seasons

Traditionally sourced for their protein and medicinal benefits, Green Ants display vibrant flavours of Lime and Coriander. These green ants, a unique bush tucker are hand harvested in the Northern Territory by the Larrakia people. Other botanicals in this unique gin include native juniper, finger lime, strawberry gum, lemon myrtle and pepper berry. Having won multiple awards in 2017 & 2018, this gin also won Bronze in the Contemporary style gin awards at the 2023 Australian Gin Awards. From $86 for a 700ml bottle.

Archie Rose – Signature Dry Gin

Carefully crafted Signature Dry Gin uses fourteen traditional and native botanicals, each individually distilled in a 300L handmade copper pot still. Perfectly balanced and wonderfully complex, the gin is all underpinned with pronounced juniper and accented by native Australian botanicals, including blood lime, Dorrigo pepper leaf, lemon myrtle and river mint. Try it in a Gin Spritz or classic Negroni. 700ml bottles from $88.

Patient Wolf Blackthorn Gin

Early Scottish settlers planted the Blackthorn bush, also known as Sloe, around northern Tasmania to create field boundaries and to bring a sense of home. Fresh sloe berries were handpicked, sent to our distillery and steeped in our Melbourne Dry Gin for five months, before lightly sweetening and releasing at 37% ABV. Blackthorn 2019 has all the characteristics that led 2018’s release to sell out within a matter of days. Low sugar, big flavour, high ABV. This is how sloe gin should taste. From $65 per 500ml bottles.

Australian Dry Gin, Coastal Citrus & Lilly Pilly Pink Gin

A fabulous way to try a few different flavours is to order a trio pack of 200 ml bottle. Double Gold winning Australian Dry Gin has a delectable blend of ten carefully-considered sustainably foraged marine, Australian native and traditional botanicals distilled into a pure Australian wheat spirit. The bright, fresh flavours of the citrus, marine and juniper give way to the gentle peppery notes on the palate to deliver a complex lingering finish. It’s strong at 43 Percent Alc/Vol.

The second bottle, the Coastal Citrus Gin is a summery flavour, taking inspiration from the Australian Coast and its native pantry and the Earthy citrus notes from Lemon Aspen partner with exotic Meyer Lemon to a give a fresh punchy citrus hit which is offset by the delicate savour flavour from local Sea Parsley and Coriander leaf. A fresh easy drinking Gin for those summer afternoon evenings. 43 Percent Alc/Vol.

Lilly Pilly Pink Gin has a classic gin foundation with soft red berry notes from Lilly Pilly and Raspberry, complemented with citrus from native limes and blood orange. A refreshing fruity finish served well with splashings of lite tonic, garnished with raspberry, pink grapefruit slice and edible flowers. 40 Percent Alc/Vol. The trio pack of Manly Spirits 200ml bottles is available from $90.50.

And if all else fails, make your own! These days there are several readily available complete distillery kits for you to experiment and make your own spirits at home. What are you going to call your home distillery??

Check out this complete distillery kit with boiler, condenser, yeast, sugars and all the tools you need. From $749 for the entire kit, you’ll be christening that home brew before you know it!