With optimism coming back as lockdowns and border controls are lifted we can start to look forward to the new and exciting releases for summer 2020.
And West Winds Gin will be launching its limited-edition summer release, a gin which has aged for 12 months in used Chardonnay barrels and, for the first time with any gin, has also incorporated the use of Chardonnay lees.
The West Winds Sur Lie Gin (French for ‘on lees’) sees Margaret River winery Fish Bone Wines, working with neighbours at West Winds for this one-off gin of just 1400 bottles.
Anthony is a true believer that barrel aged gins should not be dominated by oak, and so carefully chose older oak and watched the gin closely whilst it developed to ensure the oak enhanced the gin rather than dominate the flavour profile.
“By using the Sur Lie technique, we’ve created an exceptionally smooth and rounded gin with additional texture and palate weight similar to that of a Chardonnay wine,” Anthony said.
The gin is described as having beautiful floral notes with hints or coriander, lemon and cinnamon myrtle. There is an underlying vanilla character which softens out the nose and adds complexity. The palate is rich and flavoursome.
“The gin has exceptional balance and interest with the addition of the lees giving a lovely softness and length. It has a creamy mouth feel with subtle hints of native Australian wattle seed and oak touches. I couldn’t be happier with the result,” Anthony added.
The judges at this year’s Australian Gin Distillers Association agree with Anthony as they awarded the gin a trophy for Best in Class – Matured Gin.
