Knowing a good thing when you taste it

A LOCAL gin distiller that counted The Barrel at Clouds Vineyard as its first ever stockist has just won two globally recognised awards for its organic products.

Beachtree Distillery won two World Gin Awards – a Country Award for its organic Quokka Gin and Gold for its organic Koala Gin – under the ‘Contemporary Style Gin’ category.

Co-founder Kirra Daley said she and partner Steve Grace were thrilled at the award, which they said proved they were on the right path.

“I’ve been telling people we create good gins, so that’s now verified,” Kirra said.

Kirra said they had spied more of a gap on the shelf than a gap in the market when they made their first foray into the Blackall Ranges last year.

They were spending the afternoon at The Barrel one Sunday when Steve convinced the team that his gins would fit perfectly on an empty shelf he had spied.

“He called the manager over and said we have a gin that would fit really nicely on your shelf,” Kirra said.

Knowing a good thing when they taste it, The Barrel was only too happy to listen and soon after began selling the gins, which are distilled over eight weeks with a unique combination of rainwater and local organic ingredients.

Main image: Kaye Smyth and Jacob Harrison from The Barrel