Overview
If you thought the concept of Christmas gin was cool, you might be pretty excited about this: a Melbourne-born small-batch gin infused with cannabis has just hit the shelves.
Distilled in Healesville by The Cannabis Co, local makers of all things cannabis-infused, The Myrcene Hemp Gin is made using one of the main essential oils, or 'terpenes', found in cannabis plants, called myrcene. It's supposedly the world's first cannabis gin made with tyrene.
Also found in hops, this little guy can apparently help ease symptoms of inflammation and chronic pain, and is responsible for producing some of those joyful and euphoric effects associated with cannabis.
All Cannabis Co products are currently free of psychoactive substances, but, as the company pushes for the legalisation of recreational marijuana use in Australia, it hopes to release products — like gin — with CBD and THC (cannabinoids) in the future.
Terpenes, like myrcene, are also known for their specific aromas and flavours, and, in The Myrcene, works a little bit like the botanicals in regular gin. The result is a sip that balances the earthy and the fruity. According to the makers, it has aromas of bubblegum, pine forest, lavender and sage, with hints of cloves and woody spice flavours on the tongue. And it works a treat alongside some tonic and fresh lemon, or a sprig of rosemary.
The creators of The Myrcene stepped back in time for their inspiration, looking to the gin-makers of 17th century Britain. Word is, small distillers would often flavour their creations by distilling resins from terpenes they found in the forest. All of The Cannabis Co's hemp products are certified organic and grown here in Australia.
The first batch (aptly named batch 420) has already sold out, but if you're keen to get some cannabis gin in your life, you can sign up for pre-sales of the next batch through Alchemy.
First image: Letícia Almeida