Lighthouse - Gin

Lighthouse Gin is, first and foremost, a New Zealand gin.

Whilst the history of gin goes back to at least the mid-fifteenth century in Holland, its true antecedents are much earlier, founded in those first experiments in the ancient and mysterious art of distilling in the presence of herbs and spices.

The predominant flavour and aroma of a modern distilled dry gin will always come from juniper and coriander, but the great challenge for the distiller is to select and blend a variety of additional, exotic botanicals to impart a uniquely satisfying, balanced character to the gin.

Greytown Fine Distillates is the brainchild of Neil Catherall, the company's distiller and master craftsman, and Andrew Wright, a local businessman. Their vision and drive combine with the energy and enthusiasm of distiller James Graham to form the core team responsible for bringing Lighthouse Gin to you.

Lighthouse Gin is made by hand in the classic 'distilled dry gin' tradition, utilising nine botanicals in their natural state. The distillers create the gin in a 200-litre copper still, which Neil designed himself, and had specially built by local craftsmen at 2K Design in Masterton.

The final formula of Lighthouse Gin must remain a secret, but the distillers believe they have achieved a distinctive and complex gin that is smooth and fresh and combines herbal, citrus, and spicy characteristics, with a subtle delicacy. The double distillation process is costly and time-consuming but results in a softer, more refined, and more approachable spirit, with each batch having its own subtle signature.

To answer the question - does this gin reach new heights? Well, from all reports coming back from the experts and connoisseurs, it does. And in the great tradition of kiwi quality and reputation, it is a worthy newcomer.

Lighthouse Gin is hand crafted, hand bottled, hand labelled, and the heart cut of a small number of distillations is double distilled and combined into a batch.