March 2025 | Laneway Beverage Co. All Day Dry Gin

It was here, behind the bar, that Scott Taddeo and Lachy Harrison joined the fold, bringing their own expertise—Scott with years in wine and hospitality, and Lachy with a sommelier’s sharp palate and international experience. It wasn’t long before Matt Harrison became part of the team as well – thanks to a chance encounter that felt like fate. As Scott Taddeo recalls, on one scorching hot Wednesday, he decided to swap his weekly coffee for a swim at the beach. There, he met a traveller who happened to meet Matt while working in his hometown overseas; but who had now returned to Adelaide and was looking for barwork. Before long, Matt was behind the bar at Alfred’s, fitting seamlessly into the team.

By 2018, the team’s ambition was growing. The two Matts opened a bar called Malt & Juniper, which pays homage to classic cocktail bars of yesteryear. Malt & Juniper is moody, slightly modernist and bit botanical While Alfred’s had established itself as the kind of place where everyone felt like a regular, Malt & Juniper took things in a more specialised direction, offering a curated back bar filled with local and international spirits. It became a destination for anyone with a love of gin, whisky, and expertly crafted drinks. With Matt moving down the road to head up the new venture, Quick and Taddeo kept Alfred’s buzzing.

But then, just as everything seemed to be humming along, COVID hit. Lockdowns turned Peel Street’s energy into silence, and the team – so used to the buzz of a full bar – suddenly found themselves with a lot of time on their hands. Rather than slowing down, they decided to dive headfirst into a new challenge: gin-making.

Fueled by enthusiasm, they snagged a tiny 5L still from HHH Stills in Perth, hunkered down in a shed, and started experimenting. Nights turned into creative workshops filled with botanicals, late-night laughter, and, they admit, far too many Cheese Supreme Doritos. “With backgrounds in bartending and winemaking, we’ve always been proud of our palates and our ability to concoct delightful flavour profiles,” says Taddeo. That confidence guided them as they worked through recipe after recipe, reworking and refining until something special emerged. Slowly but surely, their flagship gin took shape: All Day Dry Gin, a spirit designed to be approachable, versatile, and full of character.

Enter All Day Dry Gin – a spirit as bright and versatile as its name suggests. Whether it’s a breezy afternoon spritz or a moonlit martini, this flagship gin is ready for any occasion. All Day Dry Gin was crafted with a single goal: to be the gin you reach for time and time again. The team wanted it to feel like an invitation – approachable yet layered, versatile yet distinctive.

Of course, as any good bartender will tell you, achieving balance is an art, and an unforgiving one at that. Early iterations dazzled when served neat but fell short in a G&T, a dealbreaker for this crew. Determined to get it right, they went back to the drawing board. After countless tweaks and celebratory toasts with friends and family, they knew they’d finally nailed it.

The gin is a vibrant medley of ruby red grapefruit, navel orange, lemon myrtle, pink peppercorn, ginger, cassia bark, and almond. The palate is a harmonious blend of juicy fruit and gentle spice – refreshing yet comfortingly familiar. Grapefruit and orange take center stage with an unapologetic burst of sunshine, while lemon myrtle delivers that unmistakable Australian brightness. Pink peppercorn and cassia bark add just the right amount of warmth, and ginger brings a playful, spicy zing. Finally, almond sneaks in at the finish, rounding out the experience with a creamy, smooth mouthfeel.

Whether you’re pouring a classic G&T, crafting a cocktail, or simply sipping it neat on a slow afternoon, All Day Dry Gin is a strong contender to be your new go-to. Generally sold as 500ml, members this month receive access to a specially crafted 700ml exclusive. Cheers to that!

Not stopping at spirits, they’ve teamed up with local soda legends Mischief Brew to create a canned Grapefruit and Finger Lime Gin & Soda. Refreshingly zesty and perfectly pre-mixed, it’s the ultimate summer companion – just pop the top and enjoy.

Their latest experiment, Yuzu Gin Cello, is a love letter to Yuzu – a vibrant citrus sourced from friends in the Adelaide Hills. “Limoncello is everywhere,” they explain. “So we thought Yuzu would act as a spicier, more bitter, perfectly balanced alternative.” The result? A bright, tangy creation with a bittersweet edge, offering a uniquely refreshing sip that’s bursting with character.

As for what’s next? Whispers of Espresso Martini and Dirty Martini-inspired twists suggest that Laneway has plenty more surprises in store.