A new range of handcrafted gin is making waves this summer produced locally by Hamish Bourke and Stu Clark of Arrowtown Distillery.

“Our new Quartz Gin Limited Release is a real botanical treat. It is distilled with elderberries and mint tips along with locally foraged wild thyme, manuka and Douglas fir,” says Hamish. “With its strong botanical flavours, it goes well with soda water, ice and a slice of lime making for a pretty healthy beverage option.”

The Quartz Gin has already won the pair a bronze medal at the New Zealand Spirit Awards alongside their original Dry Gin (produced in 2019)  took out gold.

“It’s been amazing to win these awards,” he says. “It takes a lot of trial with different botanicals to nail the balance and flavours of a quality gin, so we are stoked.”

Hamish and Stu started producing their boutique botanical gins over two years ago after Stu visited a handful of UK distilleries which sparked the idea. The entrepreneurial business partners both grew up on farms and both are builders which Hamish says has informed a lot of their ideas and grass roots attitude.

“Our products have been in development for over two years and from the get-go sustainability has been a big focus. We have designed and produced our own gin bottles proportionally from recycled glass and we will soon launch a new carbon neutral cork stopper.”

Arrowtown Distillery products are available locally at the Arrowtown Wine store and Henrys liquor outlets along with a selection of Queenstown and Arrowtown bars and restaurants.

“We will be launching two new 350ml gin options this summer, in single and twin gift boxes. It will be cool to have the option so people can experience two different gins off the shelf,” says Hamish. “My go to drop this season will be the Quartz Gin Limited Release with soda water, ice and lime. It’s a seriously tasty, refreshing drop and low sugar is always a winner.”

Rifters Gin

Phone: 027 6344 660 Email: hello@arrowtowndistellery.com

www.riftersgin.com