Gintonica Gin Podcast David Box

David Box & John Deeks head to NSW and then into QLD. So firstly they chat by phone - due to that awful virus - with Harriett Messenger. Harriett is part of the family behind Husk Distillers, along with dad Paul and his wife Mandy Perkins. Based in North Tumbulgum, in northern NSW, Husk are most known for their Ink Gin, however rum also inspires the Husk team. Like whisky, rum must be aged before release, so while waiting for maturation, gin can help the cash rolling in and with Ink Gin they hit upon a winner. From there, the guys head across the border to the Gold Coast, specifically Miami, to chat to David Ridden from Granddad Jack's Craft Distillery. We also discuss the business with son Luke, who has taken on distiller duties.  

For everything gin, as well as a copy of David's book, "Australian Gin" and Aussie Gin tasting packs, Advent Calendars and much more, visit gintonica.com.au.

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There are so many pioneers in the Australia liquors landscape. Boxy and Deeksie chat with two. Shaun Byrne was a longtime member of the Gin Palace crew, during which time he cofounded the Maidenii brand of vermouth. Not satisfied with that he cofounded the Marionette brand of liqueurs and went on to author a number of books, including The Book of Vermouth. Next up the guys chat with Ryan Hartshorn, who pioneered Tasmania’s first alcohol distillery to work with sheep’s whey as a ferment raw material to make his gin and global prize winning vodka. No - it doesn’t smell or taste like sheep.

What do wine labels Seppelt Great Western, Jansz, Torbreck and Penfolds have in common? A couple of their winemakers are now distilling gin! Deeksie & Boxy journey down to Tasmania to The Abel Gin Co. for a chat with Kim Seagram (of the famous Canadian Seagram liquor family) and Natalie Fryer (ex-Seppelt GW and Jansz). We then return to the Barossa Valley, this time to the Barossa Distilling Co. with Neil Bullock and distiller Peter Hiscock. Natalie at Abel is, in fact, a South Australian who commuted to Tasmania for years making premium sparkling wine before falling in love with the Apple Isle. She now makes both of her beloved beverages:  gin and now her own brand of highly rated sparkling, Bellebonne. Neil and Peter talk of their wine origins. Before turning distiller - Peter was a wine maker with renowned labels like Torbreck and Penfolds. We also learn more about the increasing trend to combine gin with grape juice or wine. Enjoy listening to our passionate and spirited gin distillers.

The Barossa Valley and Margaret River are well known for wine, however increasingly gin is making its presence known. Deeksie and Boxy interview Jon and Nicole Durdin at Seppeltsfield Road Distillers in South Australia who have made a big splash in the gin world, already winning gold medals in prestigious competitions. Then on to Paul White at The West Winds Gin Company in WA. TWW is one of the oldest gin producers in the new era of distilling in Australia and have won some of the earliest medals of any Aussie Gin, and their Cutlass is one of the most awarded. Not only that but recent medals for Plum and Sur Lie gins keep the awards coming.

This time Deeksie and Boxy head south to Tasmania, the home of our modern era distilling. It was back in 1992 that Bill Lark of Lark Distilleries lobbied to have the maximum volume of a licensed still dropped down over 10 fold so he could make whisky. In this episode we talk to William (Bill) McHenry about how he came to find himself in Port Arthur with fresh air and pristine spring water. One of the older distilleries in Australia makes more whisky than gin, but sells more gin than whisky - find out why. Then we turn to Nonesuch Distillery, a small boutique distillery headed up by Rex Burdon, gin lover extraordinaire and all 'round great guy. Rex has a special spot in his heart for Sloe Gin and makes a special spirit called Sloe Malt.

Deeksie and Boxy have to resort to calling up the distilleries that they really, really want to visit - but can't. We all know why. In this episode we explore the back story of Manly Spirits Company with founders Vanessa Wilton and David Whittaker as well as Bellarine Distillery with Russell Watson. Established in 2016, Manly were a breath of fresh ocean air to the gin scene in Sydney and New South Wales. They have nailed the spirit of Australia's emerging liquor scene in a style that should be applauded. Sun, sand and sea has been distilled and bottled for our pleasure. Bellarine's Russell Watson and his partner Lorelle Warren (not into podcasting we are told), have created a magical destination south of Melbourne, past Geelong and onto a spot they call "The Whiskery" - yes it is not all about gin. Russell explains how it all came about, especially the iconic names of their gins and why it takes an old head to make whisky.