When you first encounter Feels Botanical, you might find yourself asking, "What exactly is it?" It's not a gin, yet it offers an equally rich and complex experience. The difference lies in the base spirit and the botanicals we choose. Let's break down our unique distillation process to reveal what makes Feels Botanical so unique.
The Heart of Our Spirits: The Base Spirit
At the core of Feels Botanical is our base spirit, an Australian Eau de vie. Unlike gin, which typically uses a neutral grain spirit, we start with premium Australian wine, distilled into a spirit known as Eau de vie. This term, meaning "water of life," traditionally refers to a spirit made from orchard fruit—in our case, Australian grapes. You might also hear it referred to as unaged brandy. This grape-based spirit forms the foundation across all four of our distinct expressions.
The Art of Maceration: Infusing Botanicals
The journey of creating Feels Botanical spirits continues with maceration. We carefully macerate, or soak, three key botanicals into the Eau de vie grape spirit. Unlike gin, which relies heavily on juniper, our botanicals are different, chosen for their unique and non-traditional qualities. Each botanical is native, natural, and sustainably sourced, reflecting our commitment to quality and the environment.
The Copper Pot Still: Where the Magic Happens
Next comes the distillation process, where the macerated spirit undergoes a second distillation in a copper pot still. This step is crucial for concentrating the flavours of our three chosen botanicals, harmonising them with the Eau de vie grape spirit. The result is a crisp, clean, and flavourful spirit, capturing the essence of both the grapes and botanicals in a beautifully balanced blend.
Adding Depth: Post-Distillation Maceration
But we don't stop there. After the pot distillation, we perform an additional maceration of a key botanical to enhance the flavour profile and introduce natural sediment to the bottle. This sediment is a sign of the natural ingredients we use—no artificial additives here. So if you notice sediment in your bottle, embrace it! It’s a testament to the authenticity and craftsmanship behind Feels Botanical.
A Commitment to Quality and Sustainability
Every step in our process is designed with care and intention, from selecting the finest Australian grapes to partnering with a B-Corp certified distillery. We never add sugar or preservatives, ensuring that what you taste is pure, natural, and true to the ingredients.
The Essence of Feels Botanical
In summary, Feels Botanical is an Australian Eau de vie grape spirit, meticulously distilled with three sustainably sourced, native, and natural botanicals. It's a spirit that honours tradition while embracing innovation, offering a unique drinking experience that's as thoughtful as it is flavourful.
So, the next time you reach for a drink, choose quality—choose Feels Botanical. Enjoy the complexity, the craftsmanship, and the care that goes into every bottle. Cheers to drinking better, naturally.
