We’ve all seen it creeping in over the last few years. Halloween decorations in stores right after Easter. Costumes for sale - and some of them are getting a little better than the pseudo-Disney-Princess or Stormtrooper outfits. But I hear it so often…

“We’re in Australia, that’s an American thing!”

“Why are we celebrating this here?”

And yes, while it is a massive holiday in America, and there is for some reason a commercial push to make it big in Australia, there’s more to Halloween than decorations, lollies and costumes.

The Negroni is a classic cocktail that boasts a rich history, originating in Italy in the early 20th century. The drink is a simple yet elegant blend of equal parts gin, vermouth (generally a sweet one), and Campari, garnished with an orange slice or twist. Its origins are often attributed to Count Camillo Negroni, a nobleman who frequented the Caffè Casoni in Florence.

In 1919, the Count requested a stronger version of the Americano, a popular pre-dinner cocktail made with Campari, vermouth, and soda water. By substituting gin for soda, the Negroni was born. The new concoction quickly gained popularity among the Italian elite and soon made its way into international cocktail culture. A lovely story, but it is highly disputed across cocktail culture and just like most stories, the origins are best left to the story you prefer. Sam loves the Count Negroni story.

Byproducts normally have a negative connotation, but not all byproducts are bad. In whisky, for instance, fatty acids, esters and proteins are byproducts of every whisky’s distillation and aging process - and while you would not normally even know they are there, they start to appear when the spirit it chilled, or even when water is added to the spirit. The sudden appearance is the result of the “byproduct” molecules moving out of solution, and becoming apparent to the naked eye.

Single malt whisky can only be called so if it is made by a single distillery using only malted barley. In Australia, whisky must be aged in oak barrels for a minimum of two years before it can legally be called whisky, prior to that is is simply known as New Make Spirit.

However, contrary to popular belief, single malt whisky does not have to be the product of one single whisky cask, but rather they are almost always a marriage of whiskies taken from multiple casks.

Have you ever noticed that whisk(e)y is spelled one of two ways: Whisky, or whiskEy. That “e” has left many confused and created much debate over the years.

Ireland and the United States of America (USA) use the “e”: Whiskey, while pretty much the rest of the world has no “e”: Whisky.

But why the difference?

Sam’s first experience of a hot toddy was when she was living in Ireland. Having come down with a cold, her boss sent her home but told her to stop in at the pub on the way. Wait…what??? That’s right, Sam was told to stop in at the pub and have a hot toddy or two before going home and resting. She did…and that started a love affair with the drink, which continued while in Ireland, and has followed her to every country since.

Gin & Tonic. It’s a classic - it’s been popular for way longer than either Sam or Chris have been around. But why has this pairing been so popular for so very long?

What started as a medicinal drink fast became a popular drink and is now one of the most widely consumed cocktails in the world - and some would even say is the absolute perfect drink pairing (but not Sam - Sam would never say that…)!

Just like gin needs to have Juniper, and Absinthe needs to contain Wormwood, tonic needs to contain quinine, and it has a history dating all the way back to the 17th Century, where the Spanish had been using it to treat malaria after being shown the remedy by the South Americans in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

Coming up to the 14th February every year, there is an influx of pink and red almost everywhere to the point where you could be forgiven for thinking that Barbie and her evil twin moved into the neighbourhood.

It is a day for people to show their love, to tell someone that they care, and...let’s be honest…spend a few dollars for the privilege.

But where did it all start? Was is always like this? Well, it all comes down to one man - Saint Valentine.

Like most alcoholic beverages, Gin was created as a medicine by Italian monks back in the 11th Century. Over the years is has become the popular drink that it is today, loved across most of the world, traditionally enjoyed with tonic but is now enjoyed in many, many different ways.

Today we launch our latest gin - Nebula Gin.

And just what exactly is a Nebula Gin? It is our interpretation of a gin made using the butterfly pea flower.

Spiced pumpkin typically refers to dishes that are made using pumpkin as the main ingredient and are flavored with a variety of warm and aromatic spices.

In The USA, this is especially popular during the autumn (fall) and winter months when pumpkins are in season and there's a desire for cozy, comforting flavors.

Absinthe, also known as the "Green Fairy," is a notorious spirit known for its high alcohol, strong flavor and legendary reputation.

This iconic beverage, with its association to artistic inspiration, indulgence, and controversy, has a captivating history that spans centuries.

From its origins in the Swiss countryside to its prohibition and subsequent revival, the story of absinthe is an intriguing chapter in the history of the alcoholic world.

And just like that, our Lemoncello is back in stock after the first batch was sold out before it was even officially launched!

But Lemoncello, you say? Why not Limoncello? Well, at this stage I’m sure you’ve guessed our products are just a little bit different. But before we get into why ours is different, let’s delve into the history of Limoncello.

If you're a fan of gin and enjoy exploring different flavors and varieties, then it's time to acquaint yourself with the delightful world of Sloe Gin.

Sloe Gin is a unique and captivating spirit that offers a distinct taste and a touch of botanical charm.

In this article, we'll delve into the origins, production process, and flavors of Sloe Gin, providing you with an introduction to this fascinating beverage.