OUR BOTANICALS
We combine handpicked herbs from rolling pastures with fresh botanicals from the coast — crafting a spirit that captures the quiet tension between tradition and exploration.
WILD JUNIPER
Wild Juniper, Dried & Pressed
Macedonia
Juniper is the cornerstone of Penguins Crossing, and we use wild-harvested berries from the untouched mountains of Macedonia. These berries are rich in natural terpenes—Pinene lends a classic pine note, Myrcene brings subtle wood and citrus, while Limonene adds fresh floral lift. Hand-harvested only when ripe, this juniper ensures a consistent and complex foundation that anchors the entire flavour profile of our gin.
Profile: Rich & Textural, Resinous Pine notes packed full of wood & Menthol Character.
CITRUS
Fresh & Freeze-dried whole Meyer Lemon & Navel Oranges
Twisted Citrus, Gisborne.
Our citrus comes from Twisted Citrus, a boutique grower in Gisborne known for vibrant, direct-to-customer fruit. These Meyer lemons and Navel oranges are freeze-dried whole to preserve their full sensory character, protecting delicate oils and acidity that might otherwise be lost in traditional drying
Profile: Bright, aromatic and clean. The citrus oils from both fresh and dried fruit bring layered zest, acidity, and lift to the final spirit, giving Penguins Crossing its crisp coastal brightness.
CORIANDER SEED
Un-treated New Zealand Coriander seed
Ludlow Farm, Hawkes Bay.
This New Zealand-grown coriander seed is incredible, Incredible quality, it’s untreated, which means it retains as much of its natural oils as possible, perfect for distilling and adding our definitive wooded & green citric notes in Penguins crossing.
Profile: Bright, green & vibrant, citrus like structure and floral aspects that help tie the combination of spice & citrus together in Penguins Crossing
GIANT KELP
New Zealand Giant Kelp
Valére, Akaroa, Canterbury
Sustainably harvested from the cool, nutrient-rich waters off Akaroa, this NZ Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is collected by Valére using regenerative practices. Only the top metre of each plant is taken, allowing the fast-growing kelp—capable of growing up to 50 cm a day—to continue thriving. It's then gently dried below 30°C to preserve its full flavour, aroma, and mineral content.
Profile: Coastal, savoury and umami-rich. Brings a subtle salinity and depth that rounds out the citrus and spice, giving Penguins Crossing its signature maritime complexity.
ANGELICA ROOT
Dried
Ramsey Estate, Huntingdon, United Kingdom.
Grown in the rich, jet-black soils of the Canterbury Plains—similar to those of Belgium—our Angelica benefits from ideal conditions and careful cultivation alongside crops like sugar beet and potatoes. Harvested with precision machinery, the roots are chilled to release excess soil, then washed, cut, and gently heat-dried within 24–48 hours to preserve their earthy complexity.
Profile: Earthy and herbaceous with subtle musky tones. Angelica acts as a bridge between the bright citrus and pine notes, lending structure and depth to Penguins Crossing.
WILD CELERY
Wild Celery Seed
Coastal Tasman Region, New Zealand
Classically used in some of the most famous Perfumes, but also, a mainstay in some of the worlds most exceptional bitters and aperitivo’s.
Profile: Wild celery adds equal parts perfumed floral balance and Coastal vegetal savoury notes to penguins crossing and provides further depth & intrigue to our overall profile.
ORRIS ROOT
Dried & Powdered
HIlls of Florence, Italy
Harvested by hand from Iris plants grown between vineyard rows in the hills around Florence, these roots are sun-dried until rock hard - allowing them to be milled into an exceptionally fine powder. Orris root is prized in both gin-making and perfumery for its soft floral qualities and its rare ability to fix and bind aromas within the bottle.
Profile: Elegant, powdery and floral, with subtle violet tones. Orris acts as a natural harmoniser—holding the flavours of Penguins Crossing together with grace and quiet authority.
PENGUINS CROSSING LONDON DRY GIN
Penguins Crossing is a story of intrigue & exploration, a deep dive into the history that has played a part in shaping London dry gin alongside a new world mindset regarding flavour.
