Balcombe Coastal Gin 500ml

Balcombe Coastal Gin 500ml is a 500ml bottling of this Mornington Peninsula coastal gin.

Samphire and saltbush are the signature, both growing wild along the peninsula coast, and they give the gin its briny undertow. Around them sit fennel, clove and citrus peel, chosen because those same aromatics turn up in the Pinot Noirs the makers produce under the Garagiste label, plus long pepper, orange peel, lemon myrtle, lavender, coriander, ginger and a firm load of juniper. Distillation happens under Brogan Carr's eye on a hybrid CARL still, and the finished spirit rests four to six weeks before cutting, blending and bottling. Nothing is wasted: the juniper is macerated overnight to get everything out of it.

Coastal is the right word, salty and fresh and citrus-driven, with a textural middle and a balanced finish. Serve it long with tonic, ice and a wedge of grapefruit, or short in a Martini with a splash of olive brine. A fennel sprig works as a garnish.