Ambleside Distillers’ Big Dry Gin scored 93 points, winning a gold and best in show for Australia at the 2022 London Spirits Competition.
Ambleside Distillers brings together the tradition of distilling using homegrown botanicals with an innovative approach. Matt Dickson runs the distillery with his parents Trudy and Steve Dickson.
A builder in a former life, he told Food & Beverage late last year, “I’ve always had a love for whisky and am really excited for this next chapter.
“With the addition of a new still and increased space, we’ll be ramping up our whisky production over the next three years. We have a range of single malts on the way, an everyday whisky – one I’m personally looking forward to – and some special release casks.
“In the meantime, we’re focused 100 per cent on growing our expanding spirits portfolio, building our brand and ensuring we remain one of the most innovative players in the spirits industry in South Australia, with the goal of becoming one of the premier producers in the country.”
Ambleside expanded its premises last year installing a 1250 litre whisky still in the distillery and its guest facilities to support the growing interest in the brand and ever-growing gin-tourism. its sprawling botanical gardens have also been expanded.
The production area was been increased eight-fold to 200sqm, not only to factor in the new whisky still but to incorporate a new gin still (970 litres) in addition to the existing one (280 litres).
Release of Ambleside whisky is planned in around three years, with production of other spirits also in the pipeline.
The expansion was supported by investment from a South Australian Tourism Commission Tourism Industry Development Fund.
Big Dry Gin is distilled with jalapeño, lime leaf, sage, rosemary, and thyme, giving it a crisp and savoury profile. It is big, dry, and peppery. This gin is crafted in a way that the green freshness from the jalapeño is retained and the heat is well balanced. The juniper perfectly complements the intense and bold botanicals, creating a smooth and warm mouthfeel.
A balanced gin best enjoyed on its own or in exotic cocktails like a dirty martini, red snapper, or different variations of G&T, with some exciting pairings like jalapeño and coffee beans, pineapple and fresh chilli, or rosemary and lemon with dirty tonic water.
These top scoring Australian spirits were awarded 93 points and all received a gold medal. Ambleside's Big Dry Gin was voted Best in Show from Australia.
They are:
- Big Dry Gin, Ambleside Distillers
- Dasher + Fisher Ocean Gin, Southern Wild Distilleries
- Earp Distilling Co No 8 Dry Gin
- Starward Octave Barrels, New World Whisky Distillery
- Newtown Strength Gin, Young Henrys
- Single Malt Whisky: Muscat Cask, Headlands Distilling Company
- Starward Solera, New World Whisky Distillery
Nose: Notes of juniper, rosemary, and thyme with an extra kick of jalapeño. Palate: Intense and robust flavours of juniper, pine, pimento, and mace with a dry base, move to a bright herbal profile. Finish: Fresh, crisp, and dry.
ABV: 45% Size: 700ml
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