Green Street Distillery Dry Gin
WRITTEN BY KAT CHRISOULIS
This month we are excited to be featuring Green Street Distillery’s Dry Gin. Put simply, Green Street is a tale of a friendship, a ski trip to Japan, a shared love of whisky, and a touch of impatience. Yes, you read that correctly – whisky!
Based in South Australia, Nick Blanch, Will Dalwood, and Amelia Radman – co-owners of the venture – embarked on a mission to produce a spirit that celebrates the rich natural surroundings of their locale, appealing to both the judicious connoisseur and the casual sipper. The result? A vibrant, versatile gin that embodies the essence of Green Street’s craftsmanship, promising to elevate any collection it graces – including yours.
ABOUT THE DISTILLERY
As the story goes, former landscapers and best friends Nick and Will uncovered a passion and fascination with whisky while on a ski trip to Japan in 2016. Falling in love with the art of Japanese distilling, the duo took the plunge and invested in a humble 30L Grainfather all-grain brewing system, and began experimenting with diverse flavours and aging techniques. Confronted with the realities of the lengthy ageing process of whisky – a minimum of 2 years –, the duo impatiently pivoted to the vibrant world of gin.
After completing a distillery course at Adelaide University, the newly-minted distillers procured their first custom-made copper pot still – affectionately named ‘Wombat’ – and transitioned from the experimental world of hobby-distilling to the commercial realm. With a blend of theoretical know-how and practical experience under their belts, Nick and Will recognized the need for a business-minded partner to steer Green Street towards success. Enter Amelia Radman, who joined the team as part-owner, brand developer, and graphic designer for the distillery. Amelia’s expertise in business management and graphic design, coupled with an extensive network within the hospitality, wine and spirit sectors, cemented her as an invaluable asset to Green Street’s expansion. Together, Will, Nick and Amelia prepared for the distillery’s market launch in 2021.
The name Green Street is an embodiment of the Co-Founders’ green vision, however, it also pays homage to the distillery’s suburban origins. “Naming our distillery after the street where it all started serves as a nod to our roots from the green streets of Adelaide. We always knew that our current space would be temporary, and as we grow and need more room our name will be a reminder of our commitment to growth, both in terms of expanding our physical space and in continually evolving our craft.”
ABOUT THE GIN
Fervent gin distillers, the team at Green Street sought to craft a spirit that is smooth and luxurious, yet still approachable. Made in the classic London Dry style, Green Street’s Dry Gin is meticulously vapor-infused in a copper pot still, ensuring every batch meets their specification. Green Street adopt a labour-intensive approach to distilling, meaning each botanical is individually distilled and blended to ensure optimal and consistent flavours.
Sampling over 40 different recipes, they experimented with maceration, concentration levels, distillation times, and temperatures to extract a quintessential juniper flavour. The culmination of their commitment is a juniper-fronted gin that exudes timeless sophistication. This versatile drop, boasting impeccable balance, serves as the perfect canvas for mixologists to unleash their creativity, elevating cocktail experiences with every sip.
A beautiful blend of locally-sourced botanicals harmonises seamlessly with the juniper in this smooth, dry-style gin. Delighting the senses with an aroma of herbaceous forest pine, each sip culminates in a dry, rich finish that leaves a lingering, savoury whole mouthfeel. The flavour profile is complex yet approachable. With juniper leading the charge, a delightful interplay of angelica root, and liquorice root follow. This exquisite foundation is then elevated by the nuanced infusion of herbal and citrus notes. Here, the warmth of ginger, cardamom, and coriander intertwines with the refreshing zest of lemon myrtle and lemon verbena. Grounding this gin are hints of saltbush and rosemary, adding depth and balance to the blend.
Green Street Distillery naturally intertwines the journey of spirit-making with a dedication to environmental sustainability. While at first glance, landscaping to distilling may seem like an odd career transition, Will and Nick assert that their background informs a unique perspective and a brand identity that is shaped by their commitment to the environment. This ethos is epitomized through the distillery’s tagline, “discover where the gin is greener.”
“Green Street Distillery is a place where the gin glasses are always half full, and we aim to hero eco-conscious capers and consciousness. This focus on being green is something we hold dear and are actively working towards,”
A standout feature of Green Street’s packaging is their direct screen-printed glass gin bottles, a method inherently sustainable as it eliminates the need for adhesive labels. While simultaneously creating a more luxurious bottle experience, this also minimizes waste, streamlines recycling processes, and employs eco-friendlier inks compared to traditional labelling methods.
Green Street imbues an environmentally conscious mindset throughout their entire distillation process, from ingredient sourcing to production. Handpicked fruits from the Riverland, which would otherwise go to waste, find purpose in their creations. Waste generated from spent botanicals is composted and repurposed as mulch. All packaging is consciously chosen to be compostable, recyclable, or biodegradable. And if that wasn’t already impressive, the distillery’s reliance on 40% solar power and water holding tanks further diminishes its carbon footprint.
EXPERIENCES
While you can’t visit the distillery door in person just yet, Green Street provides customers with the exclusive option to arrange private, specially-tailored tasting experiences, conducted at a location of your choosing. Led by one of the founders, these immersive sessions delve into the journey of Green Street and the meticulous craft behind their gin production, all while sampling the individual botanicals that make up their gins. Moreover, expert guidance on blending techniques is on offer, so you have the opportunity to explore and refine your palate, potentially resulting in a bespoke blend of your own.
While these tastings offer a glimpse into the heart of Green Street, the distillery aspires to promote this experience and establish a tasting room in the picturesque Adelaide Hills in the near future. Envisioned as a vibrant destination that celebrates the local produce and champions sustainable practices, the Adelaide Hills region perfectly embodies the ethos and values that define Green Street’s identity.
OTHER PRODUCTS IN THE RANGE
Through their unique distilling process and expert selection of local and native botanicals, the team at Green Street have assembled a lineup of three distinctive, yet highly approachable gins. Alongside their Dry Gin – affectionately dubbed as the ‘loyal pal’ – Green Street’s collection boasts the aromatic delight of Labyrinth Gin and the zesty twist of Citrus River Gin. These gins are a testament to the distillery’s artistry, having earned global recognition with gold and silver medals at both the 2023 London World Gin Awards and the San Francisco World Spirits Awards, respectively.
Remaining faithful to their initial vision, Nick, Will, and Amelia are currently overseeing the maturation of small batch whisky. While it’s only for their own exploration and innovation for the time being, they aspire to include whisky in their product lineup in due course.
Nick and the team love every moment of this journey so far; “The collective experience of being in the distillery always brings a smile to our faces. Every moment feels like a playful nod to the old saying where the grass is greener, and we can’t help but chuckle at the cheekiness of it all. Here at Green Street Distillery, our mission is simple: to craft gin that not only tastes fantastic but also brings joy with every sip. So, here’s to laughter, camaraderie, and of course, delicious gin! Cheers!”
TASTING NOTES
Gin type – London Dry
Appearance – Clear, bright
Botanicals – Juniper, angelica root, liquorice root, cardamom, coriander seed, lemon myrtle, lemon verbena
Aroma – A lush, dry herbaceous aroma with forest pine
Palate – Juniper forward with a salty edge and crisp whole mouthfeel
Finish – Dry, rich and savoury with a hint of lemon citrus
FEATURED IN THE GIN CLUB
Green Street Distillery's Dry Gin is featured in June 2024's Gin Subscription box!
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