First Impressions
Cape Byron Distillery sits in the rainforest on Australia's southeast coast, near Byron Bay. Of the 26 botanicals in Brookie's Byron Dry Gin, 17 are native to this specific rainforest — Byron sunrise finger lime, cinnamon myrtle, aniseed myrtle, river mint, raspberry and macadamia all grow within walking distance of the still. This is terroir in its truest sense: the gin is made from the landscape it inhabits. Gold at the Gin Masters 2022 and San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2022.
Tasting
The nose is fresh spearmint and pine shoots with cooking spice, orange and lime zest, rose blossom and raspberry — the rainforest botanicals creating layers of green freshness. On the palate, creamy texture with piney juniper upfront, sweet raspberry and liquorice mellowing the dryness, roasted macadamia adding nuttiness, cinnamon and white pepper providing spice, finger lime delivering citrus bursts. The finish is dry and piney with macadamia richness, cinnamon myrtle warmth, the 26 botanicals creating a remarkably long aromatic trail.
The Bottom Line
Brookie's Byron Dry earns an 8 for the deepest commitment to local terroir of any Australian gin. Seventeen of 26 botanicals growing in the distillery's own rainforest is not a marketing claim — it is an ecological fact. The macadamia and finger lime are the stars: macadamia provides a nutty richness that no European botanical matches, and finger lime's citrus caviar bursts are unlike any other citrus. Best with a premium tonic and a native finger lime garnish. The rainforest is in every sip.
