Water of Life – Ester Spirits
The mushrooming of gin distilleries on terra australis has been thoroughly documented over the last couple of years and while quality as well as idiosyncraticity are constantly evolving with new haunts opening their doors on a constant basis, the ones run by luminaries from the hospitality scene add another dimension to the craft.
Case in point: Ester Spirits, which was incepted by a husband and wife team with longstanding experience when it comes to boozy matters and an astute knowledge of what works within the confines of a bar with a knowledgeable clientele.
With the mission to create quality gin that is both flavourful and fun without any gimmicky window-dressing, they have set out to channel their alchemy in a traditional and authentic manner.
Ester Spirits’ core expression, i.e. their Dry Gin, is in essence an homage to the test and tried traditional London Dry style. Infused with a sense of provenance with the addition of Australian botanicals – think liquorice root, coriander – it is a bold tour de force of juniper, accentuated of spicy, pepper berry highlights with a delicate backdrop of citrus courtesy of lemon myrtle and native finger lime, culminating in a finish on the sweeter, mandarin end of the flavour spectrum.
Paying respect to both the yin and yang with floral as well as fiery characteristics being married, it is a drop that I do not mind sipping by itself neat, however, it would not be the creation of a hospo couple if they did not consider how it would make an ideal component of not merely a good ole dry G & T but specifically Martinis, Negronis or Gimlets, which can also be ordered directly from Ester Spirit in their own refined ready-made versions.
Things are taken up a notch or two with Ester’s Strong Gin – again, the focus is on essentials and no time wasted on fancy nomenclature.
Being a fan of cask strength whiskies, the Strong Gin, which clocks in at 57% ABV, plays on the characteristics of the aforementioned Dry Gin, yet in an amplified manner and with the addition of hints of eucalyptus and rooted in earthy undertones.
Not entirely sure that the future holds for Ester Spirits but given what I have experienced, I can only hope that down the line they will channel their alchemy in creating whiskies.
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image from company website
