Australian Dry Botanical Gin – Cardamom & Fennel

Award-Winning Australian Dry Botanical Gin

Ancient Wisdom Distillery | Victoria, Australia | 700 mL

Best Victorian Contemporary Gin – Australian Gin Awards 2024

Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin is an award-winning Australian gin handcrafted in Victoria, distinguished by an aromatic botanical profile led by green cardamom, black cardamom and fennel seed.

Created by Ancient Wisdom Distillery in Pakenham, Victoria, this contemporary Australian gin balances aromatic spice with traditional juniper and bright citrus, producing a complex yet beautifully refreshing spirit.

The result is a distinctive gin with layers of cardamom, fennel, juniper, citrus and gentle spice, delivering an aromatic nose, smooth palate and clean, lingering finish.

Named Best Victorian Contemporary Gin at the Australian Gin Awards 2024, Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin is crafted for drinkers looking beyond the conventional London Dry style towards a more aromatic and characterful Australian gin.

A Contemporary Australian Botanical Gin

Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin was created with a simple philosophy: allow carefully selected botanicals to express their individual character while maintaining balance in the finished spirit.

At the heart of the botanical profile are green cardamom, black cardamom and fennel seed.

Green cardamom contributes bright, aromatic and subtly citrus-like spice, while black cardamom introduces a deeper, earthier character. Fennel seed brings gentle sweetness and aromatic complexity.

These distinctive botanicals are balanced with juniper and citrus, ensuring the spirit remains unmistakably gin while developing a character of its own.

The result is a contemporary Australian gin that is aromatic, complex and refreshing, with a botanical profile designed to reveal new layers as it opens in the glass.

Our Botanical Extraction & Distillation

Creating a balanced botanical gin requires more than simply combining botanicals in a still.

At Ancient Wisdom Distillery, we use carefully considered botanical extraction and distillation techniques to capture different aromatic compounds while maintaining balance between the individual ingredients.

Our approach allows the distinctive qualities of green cardamom, black cardamom, fennel seed, juniper and citrus to integrate rather than compete.

The result is a spirit with aromatic intensity, botanical complexity and a clean structure—allowing the cardamom and fennel character to shine while maintaining the juniper backbone expected from a premium gin.

Tasting Notes

Appearance
Crystal clear and bright, with a clean appearance in the glass.

Nose
Highly aromatic and inviting. Green cardamom and fennel lead the nose with bright botanical freshness, followed by juniper and citrus.

Deeper notes of black cardamom gradually emerge, introducing earthy spice and complexity beneath the fresher botanicals.

Palate
Smooth, aromatic and beautifully balanced.

Juniper establishes the gin's classic foundation before layers of green cardamom, black cardamom and fennel seed develop across the palate.

Fresh citrus provides lift and brightness, while the combination of aromatic and earthy spices creates depth without overwhelming the spirit.

Mouthfeel
Smooth and clean with a rounded botanical character. The aromatic oils from the botanicals provide texture while retaining freshness and balance.

Finish
Clean, refreshing and persistent.

Juniper and citrus gradually give way to lingering cardamom, fennel and gentle spice, leaving a distinctive aromatic finish that encourages another sip.

Awards & Recognition

Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin has received recognition across several major Australian spirits competitions:

Silver Medal – Australian International Spirits Awards 2025
Dry Botanical Gin

Best Victorian Contemporary Gin – Australian Gin Awards 2024
Dry Botanical Gin

Gold Medal – Australian Gin Awards 2024
Dry Botanical Gin

Bronze Medal – Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2024
Dry Botanical Gin

Silver Medal – Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2023
Dry Botanical Gin

These awards reflect the distinctive botanical character and balance that define Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin.

Ancient Wisdom Distillery was also named Best Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Melbourne International Spirits Competition 2024, adding to the distillery's recognition across multiple spirit categories.

Product Details

Producer: Ancient Wisdom Distillery
Style: Contemporary Australian Gin
Key Botanicals: Green Cardamom, Black Cardamom, Fennel Seed, Juniper and Citrus
Bottle Size: 700 mL
Origin: Pakenham, Victoria, Australia
Character: Aromatic, botanical, citrus-driven and gently spiced
Distillation: Small-batch botanical distillation

How to Enjoy

Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin can be enjoyed neat, over ice, with premium tonic water or in classic gin cocktails.

For a simple Gin & Tonic, serve over plenty of ice with a quality tonic and allow the gin's cardamom, fennel, juniper and citrus character to remain the focus.

A garnish of fresh citrus peel works particularly well, complementing the gin's aromatic botanicals without masking them.

The gin's distinctive spice profile also makes it an excellent choice for a Martini, Negroni or Gimlet.

Ancient Wisdom Gin & Tonic

For a refreshing serve:

Fill a large glass with ice and add Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin.

Top with a quality tonic water and gently stir.

Garnish simply with lemon, lime or orange peel.

Keeping the garnish simple allows the distinctive green cardamom, black cardamom and fennel characteristics of the gin to remain at the centre of the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of gin is Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin?

Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin is a contemporary Australian gin handcrafted in Pakenham, Victoria.

Its distinctive botanical profile is led by green cardamom, black cardamom and fennel seed, balanced by juniper, citrus and aromatic spice.

What botanicals are used in Ancient Wisdom Gin?

The defining botanicals in Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin include green cardamom, black cardamom, fennel seed, juniper and citrus.

Green cardamom provides aromatic freshness, black cardamom contributes deeper earthy spice, while fennel seed adds aromatic complexity and gentle sweetness.

What does Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin taste like?

Expect an aromatic combination of cardamom, fennel, juniper and citrus, supported by gentle spice.

The palate is smooth and botanical, with bright citrus freshness and a clean finish where cardamom and fennel gradually re-emerge.

Where is Ancient Wisdom Gin made?

Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin is produced by Ancient Wisdom Distillery in Pakenham, Victoria, Australia.

Is Ancient Wisdom an Australian gin?

Yes. Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin is an Australian gin handcrafted in Victoria by Ancient Wisdom Distillery.

What is contemporary gin?

Contemporary gin retains juniper as an important part of the spirit while allowing other botanicals to play a more prominent role than they typically would in a traditional London Dry style.

Ancient Wisdom's contemporary style highlights green cardamom, black cardamom and fennel seed alongside juniper and citrus.

Has Ancient Wisdom Gin won awards?

Yes. Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin was named Best Victorian Contemporary Gin at the Australian Gin Awards 2024, where it also received a Gold Medal.

It has additionally received Silver at the Australian International Spirits Awards 2025, Bronze at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2024 and Silver at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2023.

What is the best tonic for Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin?

A clean, premium tonic works particularly well because it allows the gin's cardamom, fennel, juniper and citrus characteristics to remain prominent.

Highly flavoured tonic waters can mask some of the more delicate botanical aromas.

What garnish works best with Ancient Wisdom Gin?

A simple lemon, lime or orange peel complements the gin's citrus and aromatic spice characteristics without overpowering its cardamom and fennel profile.

Can Ancient Wisdom Dry Botanical Gin be used in cocktails?

Yes. Its combination of juniper, citrus, cardamom and fennel makes it suitable for classics such as a Gin & Tonic, Martini, Negroni and Gimlet, while its distinctive botanical profile can also add additional complexity to contemporary gin cocktails.

Ancient Wisdom Distillery is an award-winning Australian distillery based in Pakenham, Victoria, with more than 40 national and international awards across whisky, gin, vodka, wine and liqueurs.