Kelly's To Chai For Gin

Back in 2019, we launched the very first Make Your Own Gin night in the country, and we’ve been very lucky to welcome over 500 people to this monthly sold-out experience. When you book a spot at the gin-making night, not only do you get the entire distillery to yourself and only five other people, but you also get to make your very own 500ml bottle of gin.

After choosing your own botanicals, distilling the spirit, labelling, and waxing the bottle, you get to take home and brag all about the gin you’ve just made (all while enjoying dinner, drinks, and a distillery tour with our Head Distiller). At the end of the evening, you leave a small sample with us to later enter a competition—a competition to make your gin on a bigger scale and have your very own Limited Release at Granddad Jack’s.

We are very proud to announce that Kelly Black is the very first winner of our Make Your Own Gin nights competition, and out of over 500 samples, she took out the top spot to have her very own gin released. From the recipe to distillation, the design on the label and the cocktails you’ll enjoy, Kelly has been part of the entire process, bringing to life her very own story to share with you all.

Introducing “To Chai For” Gin, a unique blend inspired by the desire to create a spirit that transcends seasons, this gin is born out of a passion for both the classic G&T vibes of summer and the cozy, fireside moments of winter.

“As a seasoned gin enthusiast, I wanted to captivate even the most devoted bourbon lover—my husband, Scott. So, I embarked on a journey to create a gin that marries the richness of vanilla with classic juniper notes, providing a perfect companion for those cooler months spent around the fire.

Drawing inspiration from cherished family traditions, “To Chai For” Gin is infused with the warmth of spices reminiscent of my Nan’s Ginger Fluff Sponge cake. The result is a harmonious blend of vanilla and spices, delivering a taste that’s not just a gin, but a flavourful experience. Growing up, my mum was an epic cook (and still is!). This has left me with spoilt tastebuds, fuelling my passion for experimenting with flavours in both food and drink. I'm a cake-baking and decorating enthusiast, drawn to making boundary-pushing, unconventional creations.” – Kelly Black, Winner of the Make Your Own Gin Night Award

Embrace the seasons with a sip of this small-batch gin crafted from a genuine love for flavours and a commitment to creating memorable moments. Cheers to a gin that’s truly to Chai For!

We hope you enjoy this release as much as we loved making it. 

Stay tuned for next year's announcement and winner’s release.

ABV: 40%
Standard Drinks: 15.8

Tasting Notes: It’s the perfect back-and-forth between sweet and tart with a floral freshness in between.

Nose: Citrus, piquant spice.

Palate: Spiced warming, with hints of citrus and vanilla sneaking through the pungent notes of cardamon, cinnamon and cloves. Overall sweet roundness from the star anise and liquorice root, bonding all the botanicals into a balanced, heart-warming chai spice blend.

Ingredients:  Vanilla beans, cardamon, cinnamon, ginger, juniper berries, liquorice root, pink peppercorns, lemon and orange peel, star anise and cloves.

Serving Suggestion: It's best enjoyed with soda, tonic water, or ginger beer. Otherwise, it’s a great gin to twist a dirty chai espresso martini or a flip cocktail.

Signature Cocktail: Long Chai - Every bottle purchase includes a complimentary tasting card and recipes. This weekend, you can also enjoy one of our two signature cocktails, Kelly’s Sour and the Dirty Chai Martini, at the Gold Coast distillery bar experience.