Brookies Byron Gin (700ml)

Co-founder, Eddie Brook struck up a friendship with legendary Scotch Whisky distiller, Jim McEwan of Bruichladdich fame during one of Jim's tours around Australia. At the time, Eddie was Australian distributor for Bruichladdich's whiskies and Gin (The Botanist). McEwan was coaxed out of retirement and joined Eddie and his family to launch Brookie’s gin in Northern New South Wales. Named "Cape Byron Distillery", the operation runs a 2000 liter Tassie-made copper pot still. Brookies employs 26 botanicals, 18 of which are native to Australia: Sunrise finger limes from Byron Bay, kumquat, blood lime, aniseed myrtle, cinnamon myrtle, White Aspen, riberry, the young leaves of the lilly pilly leaf, macadamia nut, native raspberries from Brook Farm, Dorrigo pepper leaf, river mint and native ginger. Traditional botanicals include juniper, coriander, cassia, angelica and orris root.

Tasting note: Crystal clear. Pure, rounded aromas of citrus peel and lemon thyme followed by woody juniper, pepper, coriander and minty freshness. Five minutes adds hints of raspberry. Creamy textured with a concentrated yet keenly balanced profile; lively with piney juniper upfront, followed by dried herbs and pepper. Hints of macadamia late in the aftertaste? The lingering spiciness and the overall length is quite something. Nicely done. 46% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... An incredibly ambitious gin in its wide use of Australian botanicals -17 to be exact! While one might think such an endeavour might create a ferocious mix of flavours, all clamouring for attention, Brookie's Byron Dry is unified with an overall calm note. Botanicals are well integrated, used intentionally, and work together to create a polished product. There's a subtlety to this gin that presents a little coy and soft; in the glass, it takes a little while to express itself. Once it does, this gin presents with some beautiful ripe fruits, raspberry & riberry. The drier, woody herbaceous botanicals kick in after that, and the mix of flavours helps to create balance and structure for the Australian botanicals to shine through. Juniper is not lost in the mix; the resinous pine follows into the finish and rounds out the overall experience. 93 points - Jess Clayfield, James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2025

Gold Medal. San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017