If you’re an Adelaide Hills local, you’ve probably already heard of Bonsai gin, run by local husband and wife duo Nate and Izzy Scott-Fullerton.
The couple are dedicated to producing the smoothest and most delicately flavoured spirits, through rigorous testing and an unmatched attention to detail.
“The philosophy behind the whole brand is around foresight, balance, precision, patience and a delicate touch,” Nate said.
“They are the key mantras we use with everything to do with the business and they are key principles when creating bonsai (the trees, not just the brand).”
Formerly known as Little Bonsai Gin Co, Bonsai Distillery, is preparing to launch a new private distillery door experience in Lobethal, designed as an appointment-only, intimate tasting experience led personally by the distiller.
Rather than a simple tasting flight, guests will be guided through each gin in multiple stages, neat, on ice, with garnish, and with mixer, alongside the story of the distillery, the brand, and the thinking behind each flavour profile.
“When we go through each product I explain why that product, why that flavour profile,” Nate said. “It’s quite in-depth, it’s not just, ‘Come up to the little bar, order a tasting flight and go and sit and have it on your own.’”
The current gin lineup features a Modern Dry Gin, Classic Dry Gin, Wildberry Gin, and the flagship Reserve Dry Gin. A standout for gin lovers, Reserve Dry is complex without being overworked, with a subtle hint of citrus.
Bonsai will also soon launch two new gin flavours, including its premium Juniper Lane high proof gin crafted with the same meticulous details as their current range.
Nestled in the Adelaide Hills, Little Bonsai Gin Co was born out of a love of gin and Bonsai. Nate combines his obsessive pursuit of perfection, love of tradition and artistic nature to produce the smoothest and most delicate of gins.
“We do regular markets and pop-ups, and that’s really helped us build a strong, loyal following,” Nate said. “We’ve got people who’ve experienced the tastings there now reaching out asking when they can come and do it properly as a private group, that’s what this distillery door is about.”
The new physical venue will be compact and minimalist, with a lot of “black and concrete finishes,” that still feels comfortable. The space will be designed for small groups of up to eight people and be available by appointment only.
“We’ll be teaming up with other local businesses as well, so people can come up for a tasting and make more of a day of it.”
This is evident in the tasting experience, as Nate said local handmade pottery is used for tasting cups.
In 2023 Little Bonsai Gin Co won silver at the World Gin Awards, for their Modern gin, which Nate admits they only entered to receive feedback from the esteemed judges.
““We love Japanese culture in our family and we love the ethos of leaving the world in a better place than what we found it,” he said after the award win.
“We use a sustainable still setup to make sure our impact on the environment is next to none.
“We hope every bottle of our gin represents this philosophy.”
Soon that philosophy will have a permanent home in the Adelaide Hills to greet guests in.
Bonsai Distillery
When: Coming in the next few months
Where: Lobethal
For updates and more info, click here.
