As Native
as the Kiwi

Most gin labels list botanicals like it's a legal requirement, not something worth explaining. So we thought we'd actually walk through what's in the bottle. There are thirteen high quality botanicals in both Premium Dry Gin and Platinum Ink Gin, plus one more used only in Platinum Ink.

The botanicals only tell half the story, two gins can use the same list of ingredients and taste completely different, because the quality of what goes in and the care taken during distilling changes everything. How each botanical is sourced, how long it's macerated, how slowly the spirit is distilled, all of it shapes the final character just as much as the recipe on paper. That's the part that doesn't fit on a label, but it's where a lot of the actual flavour comes from.

The Classic Gin Backbone

Every gin needs juniper at its core, along with a handful of botanicals that give it structure. But "classic" doesn't mean interchangeable. We chose each one deliberately, and sourced and distilled it in a way that lets it actually contribute something to the final flavour, rather than just ticking a box.

Juniper

The one non-negotiable ingredient. Juniper is what legally makes a spirit a gin, and it gives Hector's that piney, resinous backbone that every other botanical builds on.

Coriander seed

A classic gin botanical for good reason. Coriander seed brings a citrus-spice brightness that sits right alongside the juniper and lifts the whole opening flavour.

Angelica root

The quiet one. Angelica root doesn't announce itself, but it's what binds the other botanicals together and gives the gin its earthy, grounding backbone.

Orris root

A natural fixative, meaning it helps the aroma of every other botanical hold together and linger rather than fading fast. It's a big part of why Hector's has such a smooth, rounded mouthfeel.

Liquorice root

Adds a subtle sweetness and roundness that softens the finish, without ever tipping the gin into tasting sweet.

The Native and Coastal Layer

This is where Hector's stops tasting like it could have been made anywhere, and starts tasting like New Zealand.

Wainui sea kelp

The true "crafted by the sea" ingredient. Native sea kelp, sourced from Wainui on New Zealand's coastline rather than a supplier catalogue. It brings a subtle saline, mineral note that grounds the whole gin and is about as close as we can get to bottling the coast itself.

Mānuka

A native New Zealand botanical with a warm, honeyed, slightly earthy character. It's a big part of what gives Hector's its depth and its sense of place.

Citrus and Spice

This is the layer that gives Hector's its lift. Brightness up front, warmth underneath.

Lemon myrtle

A botanical native to Australia, also known as the “Queen of the Lemon Herbs” for its citrus fragrance. We use it because nothing else brings quite the same bright and unique citrus-forward lift.

Orange

Adds a warmer, rounder citrus note alongside the lemon myrtle's sharper lift. The two work as a pair rather than competing with each other.

Cardamom

A warm, aromatic spice that adds complexity without heat. It's there to add depth to the citrus layer, not overpower it.

Cinnamon

A gentle background warmth that rounds out the spice profile and carries through to a slightly warming finish.

Herbal and floral finish

Thyme

A herbal, slightly peppery backbone. It's the kind of ingredient you'd notice more by its absence than its presence.

Lavender

Adds a soft floral note that keeps the whole blend balanced rather than sharp.

Platinum Ink Gin's colour-shift botanical

Butterfly pea extract

Used only in Platinum Ink Gin, and the reason it's a genuine talking point rather than just another gin. Butterfly pea extract gives Platinum Ink its deep ink-blue colour at rest, then shifts it to vivid pink the moment tonic or citrus hits it. It's real chemistry, not a gimmick.

Thirteen botanicals and one shared backbone, with a couple of ingredients, Wainui sea kelp and manuka especially, that couldn't come from anywhere but New Zealand. Not every ingredient in the bottle is native to New Zealand. But the coastline, the process, the people, our work with NZ Whale & Dolphin Trust and the story behind it are, and that's the part we're proudest of.

Find Hector's Premium Dry Gin and Platinum Ink Gin at www.hectorsspirits.nz/stockists. Head over to our NZ Spirit Guide page or one of our product pages to leave a review of our gin, we always love hearing your opinions!