Episode 36 – Guardianship
Today we visit the Alembics Workshop and Apothecary located on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, situated in Tamaki Makarau rau (Auckland), Aotearoa / New Zealand to speak with founder Jill Mulvaney.
Easily of one of the most fascinating conversations I’ve had to date
Jill’s passion for plants and their natural characteristics has been a lifelong adventure, starting with her, the perfect springboard into distilling hydrosols and alcohol based extracts.
Her approach to sensory description is earthy and colourful, delivered with a refreshing no-nonsense sense of practicality.
“Because of the really visceral nature of life, it's not all about roses and flowers, is it?” Or banana cake as you will soon learn.
Jill speaks about her craft, the botacnical cocktail, services she has provided to distilling enthusiasts for over a decade, the great partnerships she has with the folks that create her still and exciting plans for the future.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy my chat with one of Aotearoa’s finest; the incomparable Jill Mulvaney
00:00 - Welcome -
00:43 – Show reel -
04:10 – Jill has got lots of stuff –
08:18 – The experiential learning process –
19:00 – Hydrosols and their history –
23:00 – Alembics NZ’s sustainability ethos –
26:00 – Quintessences and their value –
29:30 – Expectations for zero ABV drinks –
33:00 – The nose has it –
37:18 – Unwinding and The Third Space –
45:00 – Reflux stills are on the way! –
57:33 – Jill’s 10 Sixty
Be bold. Enjoy yourself. Let’s create a new gin narrative.
Still Magic paperback, digital and audio copies available from your favourite online stores
Additional Podcast Reference Links
Alembics Workshop and Apothecary website
Jill Mulvaney.contact
The Third Space, by Dr Adam Fraser: YouTube Preview
Host: Marcel Thompson
@stillmagicway [email protected]
Guest contributor: Jill Mulvaney
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...