The Taranaki women who inspired their generation.
Our Trailblazers gift pack includes four unique gins with three recipes chosen to reflect each of the women as well as our signature Extra Fine Gin. The four 200ml bottles are displayed in a stunning black presentation box that reveals the unique label design on each bottle.
MONICA: Monica Brewster (1886 – 1973)
Ahead of her time, this worldly and well-travelled woman is remembered for her advocacy of women’s rights, the environment, pacifism and passion for the arts. Monica helped found several organisations but her greatest legacy is the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery named in her honour, making New Plymouth the spiritual home for modern art in New Zealand.
This triple-distilled gin reflects Monica’s independent and adventurous spirit. It is a full-flavoured citrus gin, sparkling with notes of kaffir lime.
EMILY: Emily Cumming Harris (1837 – 1925)
One of our country’s first prominent female artists, Emily exhibited her paintings of New Zealand plants and flowers all over the world. She was also a talented writer and poet. Her writings provide a revealing glimpse of life in the 1800s, particularly during the wars of the 1860s. Her diaries describe an era where the primary role for women was a supporting one, while also exploring the artistic challenge of selling creative work in which so much of one’s self has been invested.
Emily’s love of all things botanical has been captured in this indulgent lemon honey gin that sings with lime blossom, lemon verbena and chamomile.
JEAN: Jean Sandel (1916 – 1974)
A doctor surgeon and pioneer for cardiovascular surgery and Māori health, Jean was an important voice for encouraging women to further their academic studies. At barely 5-feet, she stood tall in the community leading the surgical department at Taranaki Base Hospital. Although known to be on-call at all times, she would occasionally slip away to watch cricket at Pukekura Park where the commentator was under clear instructions to hang a white towel on the scoreboard as a signal if she was urgently needed back at work.