Gin lovers’ newsflash

A gin distillery has added to the drinks options on the island of wine, Waiheke. Waiheke Distilling Co. opened its doors in January on a ridge above Cowes Bay overlooking the water and islands Rotoroa and Pakatoa. The view is magnificent and the gin distilled by Glen Cadwallader and Liz Scott is equally worth the drive to get there. Its dry Red Ruby Gin is a stunning infusion of ripe New Zealand cherries. Spirit of Waiheke is a classic dry gin that pays homage to the island. The tree that adorns the bottle has been a recognisable landmark of Cowes Bay since the late 1800s, when it was home to Waiheke’s first hotel and pub. “So we’re continuing that history,” says Liz.

The beautiful bottles have been designed around art and a story so that they become collectables that can also be repurposed, and the labels on the back of the bottles are removable and biodegradable.