Strange Nature gains landmark Americas travel retail listing with 3Sixty Duty Free : Moodie Davitt Report

**Strange things are starting to happen in US travel retail**

Fast-growing New Zealand gin brand Strange Nature has gained a breakthrough multi-location listing with 3Sixty Duty Free in the Americas.

The agreement represents Strange Nature’s first foray into the Americas, building off the back of rapidly growing travel retail distribution across Oceania, Asia and the Middle East.

The brand is positioned within the upper echelon of the gin category at a super-premium US$55 recommended retail price for a one-litre bottle.

The travel retail listing complements Strange Nature’s burgeoning US domestic business with its national distribution parter Opic Family Distilling. The brand is available across the US via the national retailer Total Wine, both direct to consumers and via myriad cocktail bars.

As reported, Strange Nature is represented in Americas travel retail by Haleybrooke International, the agency company founded and owned by renowned drinks and duty-free sector veteran Patrick Nilson.

The 3Sixty listings embrace operations at Philadelphia International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Dallas Fort Worth International, Orlando International and Newark Liberty International airports.

(From left) Strange Nature Owner Rhys Julian with 3Sixty Duty Free’s Newark Liberty International Airport retail team celebrating the recently activated Terminal B HPP/tasting display activation; Julian with a 3Sixty shop manager at a secondary location in Newark Liberty Terminal B; Haleybrooke Founder & Owner Patrick Nilson about to commence a staff training programme with 3Sixty’s Orlando retail team in Terminal B departures

Commenting on the decision to list the brand across multiple locations, 3Sixty Duty Free Vice President of Buying Jeanine Pollakusky said, “Strange Nature Gin adds a distinctive New Zealand spirit to our assortment. We’re pleased to partner with the brand and Haleybrooke on its launch at 3Sixty.”

3Sixty Category Manager Sandra Cruz added, “Strange Nature’s Sauvignon Blanc origins offer travellers something different in the gin category. We’re excited to introduce it at our Newark, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas and Philadelphia stores.”

Strange Nature General Manager and Owner Rhys Julian told The Moodie Davitt Report, “We’re incredibly proud to launch with 3Sixty Duty Free.

“What began in a New Zealand vineyard has grown into a brand enjoyed around the world, yet our mission remains unchanged: to create a gin that’s unmistakably different.

“We’re grateful to the teams at 3Sixty and Hayleybrooke for helping introduce Strange Nature to travellers for the first time across the United States.”

**From a land down under: Strange Nature is accelerating its remarkable travel retail momentum**

Patrick Nilson commented, “I am so happy that we were able to partner with 3Sixty Duty Free for our inaugural launch of Strange Nature Gin in the USA.

“Early in the launch we conducted staff training at the 3Sixty shops in Orlando International and Newark Liberty International airports where we were starting with substantial HPP activations for Strange Nature Gin.

“In particular, the 18 3Sixty staff members in Orlando International Airport Terminal B and C plus Manager Tricia Eriste and Assistant Manager Shellion Stewart were very interested in this brand from New Zealand. I was impressed with their questions and the interaction during the sessions.

“I think everyone agreed that the Strange Nature Gin bottle is very beautiful, which could motivate their travelling customers to give a new brand a try.”

The 3Sixty agreement builds on the Kiwi brand’s remarkable momentum since it entered travel retail in early 2003. Since then it has been listed with a string of retailers in Australia, India, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar and Singapore. It recently announced a big European push via UK-based SipWell as its European travel retail distribution partner

Besides its compelling packaging, Strange Nature’s distinctively New Zealand provenance has played an integral role in its success. The brand was developed during the COVID-19 lockdown by renowned winemakers Giesen, which was trialling ways to make zero-alcohol Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

The resultant alcohol extract turned out to have a rich, herbaceous-citrus flavour that lent itself perfectly to gin, the company believed. Strange Nature was born.

It has since grown rapidly, winning consumer and retailer acclaim, the latter accentuated not just by encouraging sell-through but also the brand’s willingness to invest in impactful activations.

Strange Nature has earned considerable critical acclaim, too.

In 2024 Strange Nature snared the IWSC accolade as the Best Contemporary Gin in the World with a remarkable 98/100 (Gold Outstanding). In 2025, at the same competition, it secured a further outstanding accolade 95/100 (Gold). ✈