Dutch Rules Distilling Co.

Overview

The Netherlands is championed for creating the first gin. And the UK is known for popularising the spirit — especially London dry gin. But the influence of Sri Lanka, Malaysia and other spice islands hasn't made it to the mainstream.

This is something the Owner and Founder of Dutch Rules Distilling Co. Danny Perera is working hard to change at his distillery door and bar that opened in March 2024. At the Mitcham site, he's distilling gins and making cocktails that hero the complex flavours of juniper, cardamom and coriander from a broad range of spice islands.

Apart from strongly featuring these main spices (that were historically transported back to Europe by the East India Company), his gin range is also enhanced with botanicals like lemongrass, makrut leaves, chilli, thai basil and ginger. Dutch Rules gins have won a handful of awards, and Perera has been praised for broadening the scope of what gins can taste like. You can sample the goods in tasting flights and cocktails at the distillery door, where bottles are also available to purchase.

For now, a small selection of bar snacks is also available — sardines with bread, olives, fresh oysters and charcuterie — but Perera is working to expand the food offerings.

To that end, he brought on Dan Greenwood (ex-Naked for Satan) to establish a new kitchen and dining menu, but this won't be up and running until the end of 2024. Check the venue's website for updates.