Fast-growing New Zealand gin brand Strange Nature Distilling has become the exclusive partner of The Moodie Davitt Report’s popular Image of the Day feature.
The long-running series celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
“We are delighted with how Strange Nature is resonating in travel retail; our brand goes against the grain and offers the category a strange new way to grow sales,” said Strange Nature Distilling General Manager & Part Owner Rhys Julian.
“Collaborating with The Moodie Davitt Report was an obvious choice as we look to extend our reach outside of New Zealand and Australia. The Moodie Davitt team have a great way about them; this is exactly the type of people and company we want to be working alongside.”
The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said, “As a (flying) Kiwi, I am delighted to enter this partnership with Strange Nature. I have always seen myself as an unofficial ambassador of New Zealand wines, especially Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and it’s been exciting to see such an exciting and innovative spin-off developed with trademark Kiwi ‘inginuity’.
“Strange Nature has fast become second nature for many gin lovers in New Zealand and, increasingly, overseas. Travel retail is both a prime showcase and a valuable sales channel for a developing brand and it’s great to see the early success Strange Nature is enjoying in the channel.”
The Back Story: Discovering Strange Nature
As reported, Strange Nature was developed during the COVID lockdown in New Zealand.
Family-owned Giesen Wines, one of the country’s most successful – and best – winemakers, was trialling ways to make zero-alcohol Sauvignon Blanc, never expecting the alcohol extract to have a rich, herbaceous-citrus flavour that would “lend itself so perfectly to gin”.
“We were tasting the distillate for the first time and going, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’ It had quite a high alcohol, but it didn’t taste of alcohol because of all the beautiful herbaceous, citrus and tropical Marlborough aromatics,” recalls Rhys Julian. “Even in its rawest state, the flavour shone.
“What’s resulted is an inventive spin on a traditional gin; a natural, truly grape-based gin that goes against the grain, aptly named Strange Nature.
“The rest is history and that is how Strange Nature Distilling was formed.”
Strange Nature (44% ABV) was launched in October 2021, its owners looking to leverage the international popularity of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, particularly from Marlborough.
Since then the brand has enjoyed encouraging success, including a burgeoning presence in travel retail in Australia and New Zealand with retailers including Dufry, Gebr. Heinemann, Lagardère Travel Retail, Aer Rianta International and Lotte Duty Free. ✈
