Pictured: Never Never Oyster Shell Gin
As South Australians, we know how great our beloved local producers are at making spirits. From the innovative flavours and techniques used by McLaren Vale’s Never Never, to the relentless pursuit of taste perfection from Port Adelaide’s Imperial Measures, these locals are pretty talented at what they do. Now these guys are shining on the national stage, as nine SA-made gins have landed among Halliday’s 29 Best Gins in Australia.
Curated by Halliday’s resident gin taster Jess Clayfield, the list is part of a huge moment for the iconic brand of wine critic James Halliday, as it steps beyond the vineyard and into the world of Australia’s craft spirits.
After tasting more than 50 gins for Halliday this year, for Jess, it’s all about how bold, inventive and uniquely Australian our distillers are. With her rankings, it’s clear to see that South Australia especially delivers gins with a real sense of identity.
Two names that tower above the SA pack are Imperial Measures Distilling and Never Never Distilling Co., each earning multiple spots on the top-rated list thanks to their unapologetically juniper-driven styles.
Imperial Measures Distilling took home an almost unbeatable 97 points, the highest on the list, for its Bold Ounce Gin. As Jess puts it, this spirit is exactly what its name promises.
“‘Bold’ is the crown jewel in Imperial Measures’ gin portfolio, delivering robust, full and resplendent juniper throughout.
“Not for the faint of heart, this gin is what it says it is: bold. The intensity of it only builds before crescendoing into a lean olive flavour that both coats the finish but also delivers a hit of salt to coax another sip. Each time tasting this gin, new flavours present themselves and the complexity grows.”
Imperial Measures’ Bright Ounce Gin also followed with an impressive 95 points. Jess celebrated it for its sunny garden freshness and bright green character.
“The nose belies a vibrant green character; you can almost imagine the dew on the dill, subtly present, which makes the gin feel sun-warmed,” she said.
McLaren Vale’s Never Never Distilling Co. also showed why they’re considered Australia’s juniper specialists. Never Never’s Juniper Freak also scored 95 points and was praised for its explosive freshness and powerful concentration.
“This gin is not for the faint-hearted; it’s powerfully robust and has an intensity of concentration unlike most gins,” said Jess. “The nose presents with steely, freshly crushed pine needles, and this is where the use of fresher juniper comes in; there’s crisper pine and a green apple-like sharpness.”
Never Never’s Triple Juniper Gin followed with 95 points. Jess described this drop as “an impeccable expression of the classic gin flavour profile, adjusted and modelled to suit the Australian palate. Dialling up the citrus profile and playing into a more refreshing spirit.”
Joining these guys among the best were Mount Pleasant-based distillers Robbers Dog, who were awarded 91 points for their RGma Gin.
With these phenomenal results, it’s clear to see that South Australia isn’t just keeping up. Instead, we’re leading with confidence, creativity and a deep understanding of what makes gin truly great. See the rest of the list below!
Halliday’s 29 Best Gins in Australia
97 Points
Imperial Measures Distilling, Imperial Measures Distilling Bold Ounce Gin
96 Points
MGC The Melbourne Gin Company, MGC The Melbourne Gin Company Single Shot Gin
Millsheds Distillery, Millsheds Distillery Bramble Gin
Spring Bay Distillery, Spring Bay Distillery Classic Gin
95 Points
Imperial Measures Distilling, Imperial Measures Distilling Bright Ounce Gin
King Island Distillery Bass Strait, King Island Distillery Bass Strait King Island Coastal Gin
MGC The Melbourne Gin Company, MGC The Melbourne Gin Company The European and Melbourne Supper Club Gin
Never Never Distilling Co., Never Never Distilling Co. Juniper Freak Gin
Never Never Distilling Co.Never Never Distilling Co. Triple Juniper Gin
94 Points
Bass & Flinders Distillery, Bass & Flinders Distillery Orient Gin
Eureka Distilling, Eureka Distilling The Company You Keep Citrus & Black Cardamom Gin
Furneaux Distillery, Furneaux Distillery Untamed Gin
Hickson House Distilling Co., Hickson House Distilling Co. Oyster Shell Gin
Imperial Measures Distilling, Imperial Measures Distilling Signature Ounce Gin
St Agnes Distillery, St Agnes Distillery Blind Tiger Gin
93 Points
Cape Byron Distillery, Cape Byron Distillery Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin
Merritt Distilling, Merritt Distilling Oceanic Gin
MGC The Melbourne Gin Company, MGC The Melbourne Gin Company Dry Gin
Never Never Distilling Co., Never Never Distilling Co. Oyster Shell Gin
Archie Rose, Archie Rose Bone Dry Gin
Eureka Distilling, Eureka Distilling The Company You Keep Signature Gin
Hickson House Distilling Co., Hickson House Distilling Co. Harbour Bridge Gin
King Island Distillery Bass Strait, King Island Distillery Bass Strait Gidley Dry Gin
Millsheds Distillery, Millsheds Distillery Southern Dry Gin
The Canberra Distillery, The Canberra Distillery Summer Gin
91 Points
Bass & Flinders Distillery, Bass & Flinders Distillery Angry Ant Gin
Never Never Distilling Co., Never Never Distilling Co. Southern Strength Gin
Robbers Dog, Robbers Dog RGma Gin
Sandy Gray Whisky Company, Sandy Gray Whisky Company Artisan Small Batch Gin
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