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A small-batch, solar-powered London Dry gin from Great Barrier Island, featuring organic juniper, native mānuka honey and six other NZ botanicals for a clean and herbaceous profile.
Island Gin Original is handcrafted off-grid in a bespoke copper pot still on remote Great Barrier Island. Distilled using organic Macedonian juniper, locally sourced mānuka bush honey, lemon myrtle, coriander, angelica, ginger, tarragon, and other native botanicals, the spirit reflects the island’s rugged character and commitment to sustainability. Bottled in locally produced Kina-inspired recycled-glass bottles, it has earned multiple awards including Double Gold at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold at the 2025 World Drinks Award (Best London Dry in NZ), as well as Gold at the 2022 San Francisco Spirits Competition. This gin is perfect for those seeking a premium NZ botanical experience that’s both flavorful and eco-conscious.
| Category | London Dry Gin |
| ABV % | 43.2% |
| Bottle Size/s: | 700mls |
| Price % | $95.00 |
| Botanicals Used | This gin blends organic Macedonian juniper with mānuka bush honey, lemon myrtle, coriander seed, angelica root, ginger, tarragon, and other locally sourced New Zealand botanicals to deliver a bright, vegetal, and subtly sweet herbaceous profile. |
| Recommended Mixers | Premium tonic |
| Recommended Garnishers | A sprig of fresh rosemary or a twist of lemon peel enhances the gin’s herbal and citrus layers. |
Island Gin Original — Great Barrier in a Bottle. Some gins look good on the shelf. This one stops you in your tracks. That kina-inspired recycled glass bottle is one of the most beautiful pieces of design in New Zealand craft spirits — and thankfully, what's inside lives up to it. Made by Madame Distiller on Great Barrier Island, off-grid and solar-powered, using rainwater. Even before you open it, you're already impressed. At 43.2% London Dry style, the botanical lineup is confident and considered — Macedonian juniper, mānuka and bush honey, lemon myrtle, coriander, angelica root, and ginger. Bright citrus and juniper on the nose with a light floral lift. The palate is smooth and layered, that mānuka and bush honey giving it a slightly sweet, creamy quality that somehow stays crisp. The finish is long and clean with a gentle pepper warmth and a whisper of citrus peel. My 3-in-1 method: Straight — nose the juniper and citrus, find that honey sweetness On ice — the herbal warmth opens up, beautifully balanced With tonic — East Imperial with a slice of orange; classic and completely at home Sustainable, stunning, and seriously good. Island Gin is a long-time favourite — and that bottle alone is worth the shelf space. My old bottles are gifted to friends for their olive oil!
5 out of 5 stars
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