Cheeky Kea Gin - 500mL

High on New Zealand’s rugged alpine ridges, where mist weaves between weathered peaks and ancient forests press against craggy rock, lives the cheeky kea – our incomparable mountain trickster. With feathers the colour of storm-cloud shadows and eyes that glint like polished jade, this clever parrot flits and fiddles through the high-country heights, driven by insatiable curiosity and an irrepressible spirit of fun.

Each dawn, when the first pale light spills across tussock grasses, the cheeky kea emerges from hidden roosts to inspect the world below. It teases hapless hikers, tugging at bootlaces and peering into packs, then retreats to aloft perches to watch the resulting commotion with triumphant squawks. These feathered comedians build nests in rocky outcrops and roam in boisterous flocks, forging bonds through play, problem-solving, and the shared delight of a perfectly executed prank.

Inspired by this enchanting character, Cheeky Kea Gin captures the parrot’s boldness in every bottle. We gather native botanicals – bright, lemony tarata leaves; the deep, resinous soul of rimu; and supple flax leaf – right here in New Zealand’s wild backyard. In true Kiwi No.8 wire fashion, we steam-distil these ingredients in a classic London Dry style, marrying time-honoured techniques with local ingenuity. The result is a crystal-clear spirit that balances bright citrus notes with soft evergreen undertones, a tribute to the kea’s untamed playground.

Whether sipped neat over a single ice block or elevated in a simple tonic serve garnished with a fresh tarata sprig, Cheeky Kea Gin invites you to join the alpine antics. Raise your glass, unleash your own inner mischief-maker, and toast the wild heart of NZ’s cheekiest mountain parrot!