Episode 39 - Guardianship
Today the Still Magic podcast heads to the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, to visit Reefton Distilling Co., home of Little Biddy Gin and Wild Rain Vodka
And it is here that we meet Beth Scott, born and raised in nearby Fox Glacier village (formerly Weheka, pop. 249), but now very much at home in the big smoke that is Reefton (pop. 927) "up north".
Beth took up the distilling reins after a very interesting career odyssey around the South Island, and a short stint overseas. A graduate in Food science and marketing from Otago University, Beth developed a professional interest in food quality, and new product development, coupled with interests in aromatherapy.
As is often the case, it was an unlikely set of circumstances that brought Beth full circle to Reefton. Beth had heard about an initiative to start a distillery in Reefton around 2017, and decided to invest in the venture. Nick Secker, a fellow university graduate and local, was plucked from relative obscurity in the UK, had the best distilling induction ever, and was then offered the distilling role in the fledgling company. Nick invited Beth and a few other friends to visit Reefton, and magic unfolded after Beth’s discussion with CEO and founder Patsy Bass. Serendipity writ large yet again.
Experience in food science. New product development. Aromatherapy. Marketing. Energy. Enthusiasm. And a strong sense of guardianship.
A finer array of skills, tailor-made for a craft spirits operation would be hard to find.
And the rest as they say is history… that is, history in the making.
So grab yourself a gin and tonic, sit back and join Beth Scott and I on another craft spirits adventure.
Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.
Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores
Host: Marcel Thompson
@stillmagicway [email protected]
Reefton Distilling Co. website
Guest contributor: Beth Scott
Voiceovers: Jules Brooke.
Contact here Jules Brooke
Editor: Dave Stokes.
Contact here Author2Audio
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Still Magic
Hosted by award winning gin distiller and educator Marcel Thompson, the Still Magic podcast provides insights concerning gin making, gin producing, gin distilling, gin manufacturing, gin commercialising, gin tasting, gin drinking gin steeping and everything else in between.
Each podcast episode brings gin's centuries-long history to life in a contemporary setting, season by season. This includes assessing an array of different gins in efforts to determine what makes a great gin.
Local and international distillers share their insights as well. You'll receive a rare glimpse into the energy, passion, and desire that manifests itself as wonderful products people enjoy worldwide.
Collective experiences from episode guests will show that the following principles are as applicable to a gin making journey as any other new, exciting, or challenging endeavour
- Simplicity is best;
- Less is more;
- Inexperience is no barrier to success.
Be bold. Enjoy yourselves. Let's create the next gin narrative...