Craft Spirits
Kiwi ingenuity sees Strange Nature go against the grain
Strange Nature, the innovative New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc-based gin, continues to reap top accolades and global recognition amid a big push in travel retail and domestic markets.
Strange Nature Gin received 98/00 – Gold Outstanding at the International Wines & Spirits Competition (IWSC) 2024 held in London in June.
Competing against 4,000 spirits worldwide, Strange Nature Gin ranked as the top New Zealand wine and spirit in 2024 and the top New Zealand wine and spirit in the past eight years based on scoring New Zealand liquor across all categories. The gin was placed in the top 2% of awarded spirits, in the top five across all gins internationally, and also tied for the Best Contemporary Gin in The World award with Fiesta Gin from the Czech Republic.
Strange Nature Gin also claimed a Gold Medal for Bottle Design and Packaging at the Los Angeles Spirits Awards.
Strange Nature Gin General Manager and Co-Owner Rhys Julian said: “We’re immensely proud of these accolades, which highlight the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of Strange Nature Gin and continues our exciting upward trajectory only three years after launching.
“Crafting the strangest gin on the market packed full of Sauvignon and juniper flavours, with a product that is highly sustainable and completely traceable from grape to glass, are qualities which undoubtedly set us apart. Not to mention our distinctive bottle design which captures the attention even before our delicious liquid hits the lips.”
Strange Nature views travel retail as both a prime showcase and valuable sales channel for brand development
At the Los Angeles Spirit Awards, Strange Nature Gin’s bottle design and packaging was recognised for its exceptional design, creativity and craftsmanship.
Strange Nature has attracted a loyal following with its singularly botanical with juniper characteristics, capturing the essence of its origins; aromatic, fruity, tropical, zesty and herbaceous.
Recognised as one of the fastest-growing global craft gin brands, Strange Nature is available in travel retail at airports in Asia Pacific and the Middle East and in domestic markets including the US, Australia and, more recently, the UK.
According to Julian, the brand is set to welcome further airport listings, opening Strange Nature to more than 160 million global travellers.
“In the last year we’ve made great strides growing and investing in our overseas markets, particularly the US and Australia,” Julian said.
The bottle has been designed to encourage reuse
“Earlier this year Strange Nature launched into the US and succeeded in gaining positioning in parts of the market such as California, Texas and New York where there is already strong brand awareness for New Zealand food & beverage.
“We have strategically positioned Strange Nature to secure high-value placements in cocktail bars and premium retail environments, appealing to discerning consumers who seek unique, super-premium gin crafted by a trusted source from New Zealand.
“We are working hard to ensure these quality placements remain in place for years to come, through a myriad of marketing activities that support the trade and at the same time provide the consumer good reasons to pick our brand off the shelf or as part of an ingredient in their favourite gin cocktail. It’s an exciting time ahead,” Julian concluded.
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The Moodie Davitt eZine
Issue 337 | 11 September 2024
The Moodie Davitt eZine is published 14 times per year by The Moodie Davitt Report (Moodie International Ltd). © All material is copyright and cannot be reproduced without the permission of the Publisher. To find out more visit www.moodiedavittreport.com and to subscribe, please e-mail kristyn@moodiedavittreport.com