Founded in 2017 by David Whittaker and Vanessa Wilton, Manly Spirits embodies a blend of coastal vibrancy and urban sophistication, which is vividly reflected in its gin offerings.
The origin story of Manly Spirits Co. is steeped in a passion for artisanal spirits and a deep connection to the Australian coastline. The founders, inspired by their surroundings, envisioned a distillery that would encapsulate the essence of their coastal environment. This vision led to the creation of a range of gins that not only excel in quality but also tell a story of their unique provenance.
At the heart of Manly Spirits Co.'s gin production is the careful selection of botanicals, many of which are locally sourced and foraged from the surrounding marine environment and Australian bushland. This local sourcing is not just a hallmark of their commitment to quality, but also a nod to their ethos of creating spirits that are distinctly Australian in character.
Key botanicals play a starring role in the flavour profiles of Manly Spirits Co.'s gins. Ingredients such as sea lettuce, finger lime, and mountain pepper leaf are among the distinctive botanicals that set their gin apart. Sea lettuce, foraged from the local coastline, imparts a subtle umami and saline character, reminiscent of the sea breeze. Finger lime, a native Australian bush food, adds a zesty, citrus note, while the mountain pepper leaf contributes a spicy, aromatic layer to the spirit. These botanicals, combined with more traditional gin ingredients like juniper, coriander, and orris root, create a complex yet harmonious flavour profile.
The distillation process at Manly Spirits Co. is a fusion of traditional and modern techniques. They employ a custom-designed copper pot still, which is pivotal in achieving the delicate balance of flavours in their gins. This still allows for a slow, gentle distillation process, ensuring that each botanical's unique profile is meticulously extracted and preserved.
The end result of this meticulous production process is a range of gins that are both innovative and reflective of their origin. Each variant, from their classic Australian Dry Gin to more experimental offerings, showcases the distillery's commitment to capturing the spirit of the Australian landscape in a bottle.
