Classic. Historic. Creative.

A legacy gin based on the oldest known recipe in the British Library collection. The recipe was translated from old Dutch and permission was given for the Te Puna Foundation to base their library gin on this recipe. A traditional flavour profile, bright juniper, Grains of Paradise and galangal botanicals and subtle citrus, this gin captures both heritage and possibility. It’s classic, yet curious, timeless yet forward-looking: a distillation of New Zealand’s character and craft.

All revenue from this Gin goes to the Te Puna Foundation.  

About Te Puna Foundation & Top Shelf Library Gin

Within every great library lies a thousand untold stories, and this gin is one of them. Crafted in celebration of Aotearoa’s spirit of knowledge, connection and generosity, Top Shelf Gin honours the enduring partnership between culture and creativity.

Te Puna Foundation exists to drive growth and partnership to make knowledge accessible for generations to come. As the independent, charitable partner to the National Library and Archives New Zealand, we unlock what public funding alone cannot, empowering bold ideas, new connections and enduring access to the nation’s stories.

Every bottle of Top Shelf Gin purchased directly supports the Te Puna Foundation, helping to bring powerful initiatives to life. One of its most meaningful achievements is the establishment of the children’s reading ambassador or Te Awhi Rito — a national role dedicated to championing the joy and lifelong benefits of reading for young New Zealanders, their families, whānau, and communities.

The current Reading Ambassador, Kate De Goldi, is leading a nationwide movement to raise the profile of reading across all sectors in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through her advocacy, she is helping to inspire a new generation and foster a nation of readers (https://readingambassador.nz/).

The Te Puna Foundation has also funded a special travel initiative that enables school children from across the country to visit the National Library in Wellington. There, they can engage with He Tohu — the internationally significant exhibition that preserves the Treaty of Waitangi and the Women’s Suffrage Petition — connecting young minds with the stories that shape our nation.

A vibrant lemon liqueur crafted from the zest of sun-ripened Italian lemons. Sweet, citrusy, and refreshing – perfect served chilled or as a cocktail base.

Alc 23%

"Since its foundation in 1758, Berentzen is now one of Germanys top Liqueur companies and one of the most prominent manufacturers of liquors in Europe. Based in the romantic Haseluenne near the oldHanseatic city in the Ems country, their long history is today combined with the most modern production methods. The original Berentzen spirits are produced from the finest fruits, carefully selected to ensure a consistently crisp and light flavour and are best enjoyed icy cold.

Made from finely distilled wheat and the juice of sun-ripened green apples Berentzen Saurer Apfel offers a delightfully fresh apple fruit flavour with a pleasantly tart finish. A most innovative and refreshing liqueur."

Alc 16%

A vibrant aperitif with bittersweet orange and botanical notes, perfect for classic cocktails like the Spritz or Negroni.

Alc 25%

Nemiroff is a Ukrainian vodka brand with a 150 year history, recognized across 5 continents and is Ukraine's largest vodka export brand. The complex filtration process of Nemiroff De Luxe vodka includes 11 stages that ensure maximum purity and softness of the drink. 

Vodka Nemiroff Premium De Luxe has a rich and harmonious taste profile that emphasizes its premium quality. The first note has a light aroma of linden flowers, which creates a delicate floral beginning. It is followed by fresh mint notes that add a sense of coolness and balance. The composition is completed by the taste of dried apples and juniper, which gives a light fruity sweetness with a pleasant, refreshing aftertaste.

Established in Dijon in 1874, Fontbonne 1874 is a French herbal liqueur crafted from a closely guarded recipe of 26 botanicals, roots, and spices. Its refined balance of herbaceous freshness, delicate florals, and warming spice delivers remarkable depth and length in every sip.
Steeped in tradition yet perfectly suited to modern tastes, Fontbonne 1874 is as versatile as it is distinctive; elevate cocktails, serve as a digestif, or enjoy it neat. A timeless expression of French craftsmanship, made to be savoured.

Tasting Note: A delicious egg liqueur, produced according to traditional Dutch methods. Yellow colour.

The G. Benvenuti & C. Distillery was founded in the early years of the last century in Livorno. Over time, it expanded its production, settling in the Modena area. The production of Nocino began in this area, with all the right qualities for the harvesting of the best walnuts, and it soon became one of the most sought-after specialties of the Distillery. Nocino Benvenuti is made from Italian walnuts only. Tradition has it that the hulls are harvested on June 24 on the night of San Giovanni (Italian for St. John), and then undergo a 9-month long maceration process. The macerate is then tapped and the hulls, still soaked, are lightly pressed, in order to recover all the precious nectar that will form the base of the liqueur.

Metaxa is a Greek distilled spirit invented by Spyros Metaxas in 1888. It is a blend of brandy and wine made from sun-dried Savatiano, Sultana and Black Corinth grape varieties. It is then blended with an aged Muscat wine from the Greek islands of Samos and Lemnos.The seven star is more flavoursome and complex. It is exported to over 60 countries.source: wikipedia.org

Maraschino Buton comes from the famous G.Buton & C. Distillery, founded in Italy in 1820 by Jean Buton, heir to a family that was among the official suppliers of Napoleon I. The Buton liqueurs were an instant success, crossing national boundaries and becoming ever more numerous. Indeed, in the twentieth century, the distillery catalogue offered 45 different types of liqueurs. Of these, Maraschino Buton stands out. Over the years, it garnered such success that in 1900 it won the Grand Prix medal at the prestigious Universal Exhibition in Paris.

Rachel Hall (Distiller) - The Lighthouse "Hawthorn Edition" is a hand-crafted gin made from a special blend of 9 botanicals and distilled twice in our small copper pot still.  The ingredients are blended with pure wharekauhau spring water to produce an intense yet silky smooth character that lifts its flavours to bold new heights.  

This Gin is inspired by Wellington's renowned "Hawthorn Lounge".  A place where cocktail enthusiasts can embark recreating classics and effortlessly imagining new and inspiring creations.  The Hawthorne edition makes a truly exceptional Tom Collins, Dry Martini or Gin and Tonic.

The genius distillers at Lighthouse Gin have created a unique New Zealand take on the classic London Dry Gin style. They've chosen ?a few interesting native botanicals including Kawakawa, along with fresh New Zealand Yen Ben lemon and Navel Orange zest.

Cuervo^? Gold is golden-style joven tequila made from a blend of reposado (aged) and younger tequilas. Ever the story-maker, Cuervo^? Gold?s own story includes the leading role in the invention of The Margarita, and it is still the perfect tequila for that beloved cocktail.

Tradicional^® Reposado is 100% blue agave rested tequila. It has been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of two months, giving it the smooth and subtle complexity that aficionados seek. Tradicional is the original Cuervo^® tequila, and it is still the number one premium tequila in Mexico.*

(Source: *Based on 2012-13 Nielsen market share data)

A distinct body and round finish that will rival any top shelf Vodka. Svitlo is versatile enough for cocktail use, while being able to stand on its own.

Where is Svitlo from?
Svitlo is bottled in central Ukraine in the region of Cherkasy, on the Dnipro river.

Why is Svitlo a better quality Vodka?
Ukraine’s farmland has incredibly fertile soil and
is regarded as the breadbasket of Europe. This fertility creates an abundance of grain, and greater abundance means broader selection for distillation.

How is Svitlo made during the war?
Our manufacturing facility is 380 km from the frontline. The site follows strict protocols for evacuation in the event of any threat, with advance warnings routinely supplied by the Ukrainian military.
With a large portion of working aged men at war, Svitlo is made by a workforce dominated by women, with over 70% staff currently employed and the majority
of departments run by women.