Fen & Field Classic Dry Gin

Fen & Field's flagship gin beautifully combines the soft texture and malty character of Genever with the refined simplicity and resinous zest of a classic London Dry. At the heart of this premium spirit is a carefully selected array of botanicals, essential to the London Dry style: juniper berries, coriander seeds, orris root, angelica root, liquorice root, and citrus peel. The result is a wonderfully crisp dry gin with a remarkable depth of flavour that sets it apart.

• Producer: Fen & Field
• Type: London Dry Gin
• Region: Waikato, New Zealand
• Alcohol: 43%
• Volume: 700ml
• Goes with: Ice, premium tonic, lime garnish

The founders of Fen & Field firmly believe that true quality, achieved through dedication and hard work, is a pursuit well worth the effort. Their commitment to traditional, time-honoured methods ensures that no shortcuts are taken in crafting a gin that’s worthy of distinction. At Fen & Field, they are fuelled by a genuine passion for their craft and an unwavering desire to perfect what they love. Each batch of gin is mashed and fermented onsite using wheat and oats grown in New Zealand, before being carefully distilled in a traditional copper column still. Fen & Field proudly celebrates the artistry of gin-making and is delighted to offer gin enthusiasts a truly handcrafted gin with a remarkable depth of flavour. 

This outstanding gin also comes in a designer bottle made from 100% recycled glass from Estal in Spain using Estal's new CorkCoal closure which is both striking and highly functional.

Fen & Field Distillery is nestled at the foot of Mount Kapapuku, an area once rich in marshlands and eels that sustained the local Māori tribes. Today, the distillery is surrounded by the breath-taking Waikato farmland—a haven for hawks, hedgerows alive with hares and pheasants, and an area fondly remembered as New Zealand’s grain basket.

FEN & FIELD STORY

Fen & Field was created from a deep passion for crafting exceptional spirits. The rich heritage of mashing, fermenting, and distilling grains to produce gin, vodka, and whisky spans over 400 years. Throughout that time, the core ingredients for success have remained unchanged: grain, water, yeast, and dedication.

The founders of Fen & Field see their brand as far more than just a gin label; it is a continuation of an enduring tradition. A tradition that transforms golden Canterbury wheat and pure water, drawn from a deep limestone bore, into an extraordinary gin.

At Fen & Field, they love what they do. While their operation may be small, no corners are cut in delivering the finest quality. From their small distillery in the Waikato, every 200-bottle batch is handcrafted in a process that takes weeks to perfect. Each step is a testament to the skill of the brewer and distiller. Here, quality is not only ensured by meticulous attention to process but also by sensory analysis and the artistic judgement of the maker.

Fen & Field celebrate the spirit of gin, and they would be delighted for you to join them on this exceptional journey.

FEN & FIELD VALUES

Authenticity

Fen & Field pride themselves on being genuine and transparent in how they craft their gin. Their processes reflect the true character of Fen & Field, ensuring every bottle is honestly made.

Craftsmanship

They are wholeheartedly dedicated to the art of brewing and distilling. At Fen & Field, they mill, mash, and ferment grain to produce gin of the highest quality. While there may be easier ways, they choose the road less travelled, where mastery and effort define their journey—and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Creativity

Fen & Field find fresh, innovative ways to honour the time-honoured practices of brewing and distilling. Their gin remains rooted in tradition while embracing a uniqueness that fosters a new appreciation for the craft.

Simplicity

Fen & Field gin is beautifully uncomplicated. Their processes are hands-on, their ingredients familiar and straightforward. There are no secret recipes or 30 different flavours—just the finest gin, made with dedication by those who truly love their craft.

THE PROCESS

Milling

Wheat and oats from New Zealand’s South Island are carefully milled into a fine grist using their German stone mill.

Mashing

Water, drawn from a deep limestone bore, is heated and adjusted to ensure the perfect pH and nutrient balance. The heated water is then pumped into the mash tun and blended with the grain. The temperature is precisely controlled to activate the natural enzymes in the grain, breaking down starch into fermentable sugars. The resulting sweet liquid is called wort.

Fermentation

The hot wort is cooled and transferred into a fermenter along with a specific Belgian yeast strain. This yeast ferments cleanly, preserving the grain’s flavour. Over 3–4 days, the yeast consumes all the sugars in the wort, creating a moderately alcoholic liquid (8–9% ABV) known as distiller’s beer or wash.

Distillation

The wash is distilled three times to create gin. The first distillation, the stripping run, removes the alcohol from the wash. The second, the spirit run, produces a high-purity alcohol, giving the gin its rich depth of flavour. The third distillation, the gin run, infuses the premium spirit with botanicals such as citrus, juniper, coriander, angelica, and liquorice, resulting in an exceptionally strong gin at approximately 75% ABV.

Tempering & Bottling

At 75% ABV, the gin is far too strong for typical use. Filtered water is added to temper the spirit to its bottling strength of 43% ABV. The finished gin is then filtered and bottled, ready for you to savour.

• Bronze -2024 NZ Spirits Awards