November 2025 | Collector's Series Edition Three
November 2025 Featured Gin of the Month
Written by Kat Chrisoulis
Our Collector’s Series has become a November tradition at Garden Street: one gin each year, made by us, never to be repeated, and always shaped by our members’ feedback and requests.
Edition One was where it all began: our Australian Native Dry Gin. A bold celebration of local botanicals, it brought together native citrus from finger lime and blood lime, lifted by lemon myrtle and sweet muntrie, with warmth from cinnamon and Tasmanian pepperberries. Bright, aromatic, and unapologetically Australian, it set the tone for what the Collector’s Series would become.
Edition Two followed with a citrus-forward gin that pushed things further. Sunrise lime took centre stage, supported by lemon myrtle and blood lime for extra lift, and grounded by the warm, nutty undertones of toasted wattleseed and native juniper (boobialla). Contemporary in style yet rooted in tradition, it was punchy, vibrant, and much-loved in a G&T.
Edition Three is the sophisticated sibling. Built on a triple-juniper method – with the juniper macerated, distilled, and vapour-infused – it’s smooth, versatile, and refined. Finger lime returns, this time as the hero, supported by macadamia and wattleseed to tie all three editions together. Where the first two were bold and citrus-led, this year’s release leans classic: a dry gin with a creamy mouthfeel, bright citrus lift, and a clean juniper backbone that makes it just as happy in a gin and tonic as it is in a martini or Negroni.
To celebrate, I caught up with Josh, our Co-Founder, and Brit, our Head of Operations, who distilled this year’s release.
Before crafting Edition Three, did you take time to reflect on the first two releases? What did you take away from those experiences?
Josh: Every gin we make teaches us something. With each release, we refine the way we work, learn more about ingredients, and pick up tips from other distillers. That all flows into the next gin.
Brit: For me, it came down to technique. We slowed things down, paid more attention to the finer details, and aimed for a spirit that felt creamy and smooth on the palate. The first two were deliberately bold and vibrant whereas this year we set out to create something a little more nuanced and versatile.
The Collector’s Series has always been shaped by our members. How did their input after the first two editions guide what you created this year?
Brit: Our members LOVED the use of native botanicals in the first two editions. So we kept that thread running. Edition Three is all about balance. The native ingredients are there, but they’re not shouting for attention. Macadamia brings smoothness and texture, wattleseed adds gentle depth, and finger lime gives just a lift of freshness. It’s still distinctly Australian, but this time it’s more subtle, more elegant – a nod to where we started, but with a maturity that comes from experience.
Josh: Exactly. When we asked our members what they wanted next, the message was clear: a drier style of gin. That really set the direction for us. I’ve always loved classic, juniper-forward gins, so the challenge was to create something that stayed true to that style while still feeling like Garden Street. That’s why we went with a triple-juniper method, it gives clarity and structure, but the native botanicals Brit mentioned bring it all to life. It’s that balance between tradition and our Australian identity that makes Edition Three what it is.
The response to the first two Collectors Series releases was overwhelmingly positive. Did that add more pressure heading into Edition Three?
Brit: Absolutely. When the response is that strong, you want to keep raising the bar. We didn’t just want to match what we’d done before, we wanted to push ourselves further.
Josh: The challenge was figuring out how to weave native botanicals into a classic dry gin. Some of my favourite botanicals, like lemon myrtle and muntries, are incredible ingredients but they bring sweetness that didn’t suit the drier style we were aiming for. Instead, we focused on natives like macadamia, wattleseed, and finger lime that could complement the juniper and add depth without overpowering it. It was about choosing the botanicals that told the right story for this style of gin.
How did you approach crafting Edition Three? What story or feeling were you trying to bottle this year?
Josh: It started with listening to our members, but also with my own love for juniper-heavy gins. We wanted to honour that style while still giving it an Australian twist.
Brit: Finger lime felt like the perfect hero. It featured in Edition One but not as the spotlight or hero botanical. Members really responded to it, so this time we brought it forward. With macadamia and wattleseed alongside, it ties all three editions together while still taking this one in its own direction with a new distillation method.
How has your process evolved since Edition One?
Brit: We’ve definitely become more methodical. A bit slower, more deliberate, more confident in what we’re aiming for. For Edition Three, that meant taking extra time with the distillation itself, running it at a gentler pace so the spirit came off cleaner and brighter. It also meant being more patient in recipe development, tasting side by side with Editions One and Two, and refining until we knew this gin could stand proudly alongside them while bringing something new.
Josh: This year we also introduced new techniques, like macerating juniper overnight and then layering it in through distillation and vapour infusion. That’s what makes this a triple-juniper gin. It means the juniper character comes through clearly and consistently across the palate.
Which botanicals are featured in Collector’s Series Edition Three?
Brit: Macedonian juniper is the backbone, it’s the best you can get. It’s so rich and oily, it really defines the structure of the gin. From there we layered finger lime and Tahitian lime for brightness, macadamaia and watteseed for that creamy, nutty depth, and a touch of anise myrtle and pepperberry leaf to bring gentle spice.
Then you’ve got the more traditional dry gin botanicals: cassia, angelica, coriander seed, and a single cardamom pod in every run. That’s become our little ritual.
Josh: Yep, we threw one cardamom pod in each time, no more, no less. It’s a bit of a superstition at this point. I doubt you’d even taste it, but I couldn’t bring myself to skip it.
Can you describe the first time you tasted the final recipe?
Brit: Honestly? It was a mix of excitement and pure relief. When I finally tried the finished gin, neat, alongside Editions One and Two, it just clicked. It held its place in the family perfectly, but it had this extra layer of polish that made it stand out. Then I poured a G&T, followed it up with a martini (for research, obviously), and that’s when I knew we’d created something really special.
Josh: The nose was the first thing that struck me: fresh, vibrant, full of finger lime and juniper. Then the macadamia and wattleseed give it this creamy, nutty finish. It felt like everything had come together.
Every gin in the Collectors Series has its own personality. What makes Edition Three stand out?
Brit: Texture. That’s the word I keep coming back to. It’s just so smooth and creamy!
Josh: And versatility. The first two editions were bold and expressive, this one feels a little more grown-up. It’s structured, classic, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re pouring a G&T or a cocktail, it just fits. That, to me, is what makes it special, it’s confident without trying too hard.
What’s your favourite way to enjoy this gin?
Josh: I’m a simple guy, give me a Negroni any day.
Brit: It would be rude not to say a martini. Or a G&T with finger lime caviar – when you can find it fresh or frozen. Honestly, one of the best serves I’ve had. We really would have loved to put finger lime caviar in the box this month, but it just doesn’t travel well. If you do spot it at a good market or grocer, please grab some and try it – you won’t regret it!
Any funny stories along the way?
Josh: I managed to fall into the waste pit at one point. Not my proudest moment.
[Brit shocked in the background]: When?! Wish I’d seen that...
Brit: I nearly overflowed the still with water. I didn’t, but it was definitely close!
Let’s talk about this month’s G&T pairing – Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic with red apple and juniper garnish. Why this combination?
Brit: The gin already has a lot of citrus, so I found a number of citrus garnishes like lemon and lime just too overpowering. Apple gave just the right touch of sweetness to balance the citrus, and the juniper garnish was a nod to the triple-juniper style.
Josh: As always, our panel held a blind tasting for the tonics. Mediterranean stood out straight away – it’s a little sweet with subtle herbal notes that really let the gin shine. And just like every gin we send out, even this one had to pass the panel. Not even our own gin gets through without being put to the test. That’s how we knew this was the right pairing to send to members.
Do you imagine a particular setting for enjoying this gin?
Josh: Sharing it with mates. That’s the dream. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the park, on the couch, or around a dinner table - if this gives people an excuse to connect, that’s the best outcome we could hope for.
What does the Collectors Series mean to you personally?
Josh: For me, the Collector’s Series is a celebration of our members and the community that’s grown around Garden Street, as well as the incredible Australian gin industry we get to be part of. It’s also a fun challenge for us - a chance each year to step back, reflect, and push ourselves creatively to make something that represents what Garden Street is all about.
Brit: It’s also about credibility. Who are we to be curating and judging other people’s gins if we can’t prove we can make one ourselves? But more than that, it’s shaped by our members’ input from day one. These gins are as much theirs as they are ours.
Finally, if you could distil a message to our members in this bottle, what would it be?
Brit: A big thank you. For trusting us, for being curious, and for letting us have the freedom to create something new each year. We couldn’t do this without you.
Josh: We just hope you enjoy it. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most. If this gin brings you a moment to slow down, to share with friends, or to try something a little different, then we’ve done our job.
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