Sommelier-turned-distiller Paul Walton has made an immediate impact on the gin sector just 12 months after launching his new Sydney-based brand.
Saint Juniper picked up three medals at the recent 2025 Royal Melbourne Australian International Spirits Awards, including a gold for Saint Juniper Original Dry.
Saint Juniper was earlier named Australian Spirit of the Year at the 2025 London Spirits Competition - a bold debut for the micro brand.
Saint Juniper’s collection currently includes four distinct gins, each batch micro-distilled using sustainable technology and organically sourced botanicals.
Every bottle is marked with a number, in the order they were created, following what Walton says mimics the methodical craft of a perfumer.
Walton’s drinks story began when he was very young.
On family trips to the Hunter Valley, a 10-year-old Paul was intrigued by flavours and aromas.
That early curiosity evolved into a career exploring the nuances of wine and spirits, culminating in over 18,000 guided tastings through his tasting series Drinks with Dave.
With a background in wine education and years of hands-on sensory work, Walton made a bold move in 2023. Rather than acquire a distillery, he built one from the ground up. His equipment arrived in March 2024, and within weeks, he was submitting his first batches to major competitions.
Saint Juniper’s collection currently includes four distinct gins, each one micro-distilled in small batches using high-end Dutch equipment. All flavour profiles are developed over three to four weeks, allowing the botanicals to evolve.
● No. 1 – Original Dry: A contemporary take on a classic dry gin.
● No. 2 – Citrus Contemporary: Bold and bright with grapefruit, sweet orange and elderberry. Designed for summer spritzes and cocktails.
● No. 3 – Raspberry & Hibiscus Pink Gin: Delicate and floral, made with real raspberries, rose petals and hibiscus.
● No. 4 – Mediterranean Gin: Savoury with notes of Greek olives, fresh rosemary and bay leaf.
All retail in 500ml bottles for $69, as well as in mini bottles for $17 and in tasting sets of four 100ml bottles.
Saint Juniper is designed for thoughtful drinking.
"It is not a party gin," Walton says. "It is a gin for slowing down, for rituals, for sharing or enjoying alone. I wanted it to match any space, any style, but always stand out for its quality.”
I'm currently travelling but will try the gins and post some notes when I get back.
No comments:
Post a Comment