Cape Byron Distillery has released a limited edition kumquat Gin. Dubbed Shirl the Pearl, the spirit is named after the New South Wales distillery’s co-founder and distiller Eddie Brook’s grandmother Shirley. It’s a perfect Gin for adding a seasonal twist to your favorite cocktail.
Apparently, Shirl was quite the “pocket rocket”. She was one of Australia’s first female pilots and evidently made a mean bootleg kumquat Gin. The Shirl the Pearl Gin is inspired by Shirley, and is made in the same manner she used to make it. It’s an ode to Shirl the Pearl, after all. Cape Byron Distillery steep locally grown Kumquats in their Brookie’s Dry Gin for several months and balance the spirit to create springtime in a glass.
“This gin is an ode to my Grandma who was known to her friends and family as ‘Shirl the Pearl,” explained Brook about the new release. “My mum would tell me stories of Shirl’s notorious kumquat gin that was broken out at various cocktail and dinner parties. The spirit is truly special and I’m sure Shirl would approve.”
Shirl the Pearl Gin features fresh uplifting notes, zesty characteristics, and a long finish. In the end it’s blended with Mount Warning Spring Water and bottled at 32 percent ABV. Expect refreshing waves of orange blossom throughout every sip.
Only 650 bottles of this limited edition kumquat gin are going to be produced, so if you’re interested, it’s best to order right away. Don’t worry, no hoarding will be allowed as each purchaser is only allowed to buy one bottle per order.
Shirl the Pearl is set to be released on Thursday, May 28th and can only be found at Cape Byron Distillery’s Cellar Door and their online store. Currently, the Cellar Door tasting sessions are limited to Saturdays and Sundays, and bookings must be made in advance at capebyrondistillery.com.