Applewood Distillery

Adelaide Hills, South Australia

SUSTAINABLE - GLUTEN FREE

Applewood is the latest venture from the incredibly talented duo behind Unico Zelo, Brendan and Laura Carter. The project began in 2012 with the acquisition of a 300L pot still and focuses on the distillation of Australian native botanicals to create hand crafted Gin, Whisky, Liquers and Amaro that speak of the sites and soils from which they come and we belong.

The project was originally thought up as a way to minimise waste created by the winery through distilling grape must into base spirit. However a keen interest in native botanicals and research into fermentation and distillation of locally sourced produce resulted in countless trials and in turn a host of unique and distinct spirits.

Ever evolving Applewood’s tiny distillation runs mean that minute adjustments can be made regularly in order to work towards desired styles. It also means that Brendan and Laura are able to regularly create limited releases of spirits using less readily available produce and botanicals. To date this includes Sake and Sultbush Gin, Lavender Gin and Chai Gin.

As seen through Unico Zelo , Brendan and Laura have an absolute love and respect for all things Italy and where Unico Zelo offers an opportunity to demonstrate the results of growing Italian varietals on Australian soil, Applewood shows a similar dis- play of how technique and terroir can result in Australian Cellos and Amaro. One such example is the Økar Amaro which they have created to be used in a similar fashion to Aperol or Campari. Using native Australian Riberries (Lillypilly) as a base they have created an amaro of freshness, vibrance and bitterness that can be served neat.

APPLEWOOD AUSTRALIAN GIN - 43% ABV, 500ml

A citrus-driven and floral Gin that has an interplay of fragrance, depth and vibrancy. Distilled from grape-based spirit and composed of an eclectic collection of botanicals such as Juniper, Lavender, Saltbush, Peppermint Gumleaf, Blood Limes, Desert Limes, Lemon Myrtle, Anise Myrtle, Wild Thyme, Quandong and Pepperberry. Mix with good quality dry tonic and garnish with dried or fresh orange with wild thyme or lemon thyme.

APPLEWOOD CORAL GIN - 43% ABV, 500ml

Inspired by the Great Barrier Reef, this idiosyncratic pink-tinted gin features strawberry gum and riberries. Woody juniper aromas combine with hints of fresh kelp and strawberry. The palate follows with medium-fresh flavours suggesting gobstopper, raspberry jube, pepper and late sappy pine. Recommended in a Gin Fizz. 43% Alc./Vol.

APPLEWOOD ALPINE GIN - 43% ABV, 500ml

An intricate, unabashedly Australian dry gin with a native citrus core, alongside a piquant, unctuous earthiness and a soaring eucalypt freshness. An authentic reflection of the arid interior of Australia. 43% Alc./Vol.

APPLEWOOD NAVY GIN - 58% ABV, 500ml

Crafted with the highest quantity of juniper we have ever used whilst doubling the volume of ultra rare desert limes and Asiatic yuzu elevates the intensity of Applewood gin to the next level. Recommended with dry tonic, garnished with lemon peel. 58% Alc./Vol.

APPLEWOOD AESTAS GIN

Applewood Aestas is a refined summer-style gin with a harmonious blend of orchard freshness and subtle spice. On the nose, the juniper is joined by vibrant notes of crisp apple, zesty citrus, and delicate floral hints. The palate is smooth and balanced, featuring bright green apple, gentle elderflower sweetness, and a whisper of coriander and angelica root. A lingering, clean finish with a touch of soft herbaceousness makes it perfect for light, bright cocktails or sipping neat over ice.

APPLEWOOD COLONIAL MALT - 40% ABV, 500ml

The inspiration for this came from an old letter written in the 1790s about some pesky Irish convicts that were going bush to craft some ‘white spirits’ and were causing a bit of an upset in the new Australian colonies. Gotta love the Irish! We wanted to craft a spirit in dedication to these enterprising individuals – 100% from South Australian barley malt grown in the mid-north of South Australia. Double pot-distilled and bottled for your enjoyment. Smooth. Bright. Fresh

APPLEWOOD ØKAR - 26% ABV, 750ml

We’re very excited to announce the initial release of this new beverage – we’ve christened Økar – a phonetic spin on the word ‘Ochre’ – how Australian’s might pronounce it. It’s an Amaro – probably a bit of an esoteric term to the uninitiated, although bitter/herbal aperitifs have been popular for more than a century – Aperol or Campari ring any bells? Whilst aperitifs in this category are generally marketed alongside images of the Amalfi coastline, roadsters with the top down, winding roads and a spritzer in-hand, we felt a more comfortable image could be ‘chilling at the beach’ – be it Noosa, Bondi or Cottesloe. Or perhaps ‘sitting in a café’ – be it in the multitude of laneways across our country. We like to take an Australian-spin on things – and dry aperitifs seem to epitomise a renaissance in contemporary Australian drinking.

APPLEWOOD ØKAR TROPIC - 17% ABV, 750ml

The team at Applewood Distillery are at it again with their latest creation, the Økar Orange Tropic Australian Sundowner. Crafted from Polish Hill River Gewurztraminer and fortified with unused spirit from our distillery, aromatised with oranges to create a vibrant, tropical cousin to Vermouth otherwise known as a Mistelle.

APPLEWOOD ØKAR MOCHA - 20% ABV, 750ml

Indulge in the rich and flavorful Applewood Distillery Okar Coffee Mocha Liqueur in a 700ml bottle. This flavored liqueur, crafted by Applewood Distillery in South Australia, Australia, offers a delightful blend with the essence of coffee and mocha. Enjoy the unique style of this flavored liqueur in its stylish bottle.

UNICO LIMONCELLO - 20% ABV

We take our Limoncello perhaps a tad seriously. Made from a safely guarded recipe – two different types of lemons from South Australia’s oldest citrus plantation in Lennane Orchards, Montacute Valley, Adelaide Hills. This citrus orchard is believed to be planted 150 years ago. Why is our Limoncello important? The lemons are what one might call “UGLY”. Yes, they are different sizes and kind of weird looking. Unfortunately, that meant that supermarkets did not want to buy them. So, after trying to sell these ugly little lemons for years, the growers decided to remove the 150 year old trees. To help preserve this historic orchard, Applewood Distillery put up our hands and promised to buy all whole crop to make our delicious Limoncello. It is our labour of love. Literally! We spend 12 hours hand peeling lemons from the orchard to produce this delicious drop. In fact, we have a family ritual of taking turns to peel a couple of buckets a day. Everyone chips in! We think all lemons are beautiful and hope you do too. Saluti!

UNICO MANDO CELLO - 20% ABV

Using the biggest & juiciest of all the Mandarins – the Dekopon – we made this refreshing, vibrant liqueur from exclusively Riverland citrus! The perfect ingredient for the ultimate Summer beverage!

UNICO ESPRESSO CELLO - 20% ABV

Coffee beans are freshly roasted in the Adelaide Hills by Johnny Scott from Mighty Mighty Coffee and then cold infused over 24 hours. Blended with a grape spirit to create a smooth coffee liqueur, perfect in your next espresso martini or simply on the rocks.

UNICO POMELO VERMOUTH - 16% ABV

A DRY VERMOUTH FROM OUR SISTER WINERY UNICO ZELO, CRAFTED FROM FINE ADELAIDE HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC, NATIVE AUSTRALIAN FINGER LIMES & THE LARGEST CITRUS IN THE WORLD: POMELO, BLENDED WITH A GENEROUS TINCTURE OF FRESH & DRY WORMWOOD.

UNICO ROSA VERMOUTH - 16% ABV

With a blend of Pinot Gris from the Adelaide Hills and Grenache from the Riverland, your next aperitif is about to win the Superbowl.

There’s some epic crunch from skin contact on the Pinot Gris and we’ve blended in enough Grenache to make you think you’ve eaten watermelon sugar. This base wine is fresh and bright A.F.

Alongside the star of the show – Rosella from the tropical Australian north – we’ve added some Davidson Plum for some zip and grip and some strawberry gum for uplifted aromatics.

Blended with both fresh and dried wormwood for a fresh drop of herbals, Unico Rosa is about to give you 10 minutes of pure fire… until you pour yourself another!

UNICO YUZU VERMOUTH - 16% ABV

We crafted this esoteric little number for Fun & for Love. We love fine Adelaide Hills Merlot, we love Yuzu – the most amazing little asiatic citrus we’ve encountered throughout our exploration of exotic flavours, we love sweet Vermouth and we love native Australian ingredients – so we developed the ultimate mash-up – for fun!