Meet a new limited-edition gin with a purpose

Fancy an Easter tipple that could help save one of Australia's iconic native animals? 

Meet a new limited-edition gin with a conscious. 

The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) has teamed up with Brisbane-based craft gin distillery BY.ARTISANS ahead of the Easter holiday to launch Burrow & Bloom. 

Sales of the gin will support efforts to save Australia's beloved but threatened Greater Bilby, also affectionately known as the Easter Bilby.

The bilby has suffered population declines since colonisation and the introduction of feral cats, the primary driver of native mammal extinctions and ongoing declines in Australia.

While once found across the country, there is now only an estimated 10,000 bilbies remaining in Australia, with around 3,300 individuals living inside six of AWC’s feral predator-free sanctuaries. 

“Burrow & Bloom was designed to reflect the landscapes the Bilby depends on,” said Alexander Bell from BY.ARTISANS. 

“We’ve used a foundation of classic gin structure, layered with native desert botanicals like roasted wattle seed, saltbush, desert lime and lemon myrtle, to evoke arid soils, dry air and nocturnal foraging. A gentle rose infusion softens the profile as a subtle nod to Easter, without losing the austerity of the desert.”

Each bottle sold will contribute $48 to AWC to support bilby conservation and habitat protection across AWC sanctuaries. 

A maximum of 1,000 bottles of Burrow & Bloom will be produced, at full release, equating to $48,000 in sponsorship support for AWC, and the protection and management of wildlife sanctuaries across Australia.

You can find out more here. 

Image: Judy Moosmueller

Meet a new artisan gin with a uniquely Australian flavour

An animal sanctuary and a boutique distillery may seem unlikely bedfellows but Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and  Brisbane’s newest craft distillery and lifestyle brand BY.ARTISANS, this week announced the launch of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Eucalyptus Gin.

The innovative spirit comes from the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary and is made using eucalyptus leaves, turning waste into a luxe spirit.

Each day, eucalyptus leaves are hand-harvested from Lone Pine, with the freshest leaves reserved to nourish the koalas, while the remaining foliage, previously destined for composting, is given a second life.

BY.ARTISANS harnesses these leaves to craft a drink that "captures the essence of Australia’s natural heritage while supporting koala conservation".

From today, the Eucalyptus Gin will be available exclusively at BY.ARTISANS’ flagship store in Brisbane's West End, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary’s gift shop and online.

A press release says that 5% of all proceeds will be donated to registered wildlife charities and research groups focused on koala studies and wildlife conservation.

“The koala is an iconic species, but their habitat is under constant threat due to urbanisation and deforestation," said Lone Pine general manager Lyndon Discombe.

"Eucalyptus is vital for koalas, being their sole source of food. This collaboration with BY.ARTISANS helps raise awareness of the challenges koalas face and supports conservation efforts."

Ginn Lai, co-founder of BY.ARTISANS, who conceptualised the project, said: “We wanted to give these eucalyptus leaves a second life, and through this collaboration, we’re telling the story of koalas, the importance of eucalyptus as their lifeblood, and how something as simple as a leaf can be transformed into something extraordinary.

"It’s a celebration of this remarkable native botanical while giving back to the community to help safeguard the future of koalas.”

See www.lonepinekoalasanctuary.com and www.byartisans.com.au.

Brisbane gets a distillery with a difference

Lovers of free spirits - and artisan spirits - in Brisbane have a new venue to put on their radar: BY.ARTISANS. 

It sounds like they are shouting, but BY.ARTISANS is billed as a distillery and creative retreat in the inner suburb of West End. 

Opened this week, the Jane Street space is home to tasting rooms, a bar, café, event space, opportunities for interactive workshops and experiences and a retail space with local products.

Co-founder Ginn Lai said BY.ARTISANS was born to bring together brands, artists and creators to craft world-class, Queensland-made products.

“The name BY.ARTISANS reflects our commitment to craftsmanship, shining a light on the artistry and dedication behind every creation,” Lai said.

“There are no shortcuts - each product is hand-made in small batches with carefully sourced ingredients and a focus on quality.”

The opening of the flagship space coincided with the launch of an inaugural product, BY.ARTISANS Signature Gin. 

Co-founder and distiller Alexander Bell said the Signature Gin blended the native botanicals of lemon myrtle, cinnamon myrtle, lavender, wattle seed and the refreshing minty note of eucalyptus, capturing the essence of Australia’s landscape.

Bell, a chemical engineer, designed BY.ARTISANS’ still to use considerably less energy and fewer resources, making the distillery one of the nation’s most energy-efficient.

“This is a first-of-its-kind distillation system, capable of producing not only spirits but also a diverse range of essential oils and hydrosols from local botanicals,” Bell said. 

“What sets our distillery apart is its versatility. We use the same equipment to produce spirits of exceptional quality as we do to craft lifestyle products such as bespoke soaps, candles and natural dye merchandise - all while minimising our energy and resource use.”

BY.ARTISANS Signature Gin’s white bottle (above) is designed by co-founder and brand director Alexander Lotersztain. 

The bottle’s silicone sleeve, custom silicone cap and modern, minimalist white design aim to showcase artistry and collaboration.

“This is a blank canvas because we want this aesthetic to encourage community collaborations," Lotersztain said. 

"There are already strategic partnerships in the works with artists we admire, but we also want to support the undiscovered so would love to hear from emerging local artists too.” 

BY.ARTISANS is at 99 Jane Street, West End. See byartisans.com.au

Images: Florian Groehn