First Impressions
The Cape Palliser Lighthouse stands at the southernmost tip of New Zealand's North Island, battered by winds from the Cook Strait and surrounded by rugged coastline. This gin is named for it, and is handmade by Rachel Hall — New Zealand's first female Head Distiller — in small batches using natural spring water from the Remutaka Range's ancient aquifer. The water filters through layers of rock for thousands of years before being drawn for distillation, providing a mineral purity that no municipal supply can match.
Tasting
Nine botanicals including hand-zested Yen Ben lemons — a New Zealand lemon variety prized for its intense, bright citrus character — and navel oranges, coriander, almond, cassia bark, cinnamon quills, juniper, liquorice root and orris root. The nose is subtle citrus and clean pine with herbaceous coriander hints. On the palate, initial lemon zest brightness gives way to a spicy mid-palate of cinnamon and cassia bark, clean and vibrant with citrus-forward character balanced by juniper backbone. The finish is soft and lingering — cinnamon, liquorice and almond providing gentle sweetness, composed and remarkably smooth.
The Bottom Line
Lighthouse Gin earns an 8 — and the awards confirm it: New Zealand Spirit of the Year 2025 at the Bartender Spirits Awards, 95 points and Gold Medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. Rachel Hall has created a gin that is both distinctly New Zealand — the Yen Ben lemons, the aquifer water, the Cape Palliser inspiration — and universally excellent. Best with premium tonic, ice and a wheel of lemon. A lighthouse guides ships safely through difficult waters; this gin guides you safely through the evening.
