We often get asked by our customers about the unique ingredient that gives our Pink Gin its distinctive flavor and vibrant color—Murtis berries, also known as Tassie berries. As one of only two gins in the world to use these remarkable berries, we thought it was time to dive deeper into their lifecycle and show you how they play a crucial role in crafting our Award-winning gin. From their early growth stages to their full, juicy ripeness, let’s explore the journey of these berries and how they help make Bright Night Pink Gin one of the Most awarded Gins in Australia.
Starting from Seed: The Early Stages of the Murtis Berry Plant
The journey of the Murtis berries begins in the rich soils of Tasmania, specifically in the coastal town of Penguin, where they thrive under the island’s unique climatic conditions. These berries require a delicate balance of care, especially in their early stages. Although they are cold-resistant, they are not entirely tolerant to intense frosty winters. The cool, temperate climate of Penguin, with its mild temperatures and high humidity, provides the perfect setting for young Murtis berry plants to flourish.
As the plants grow, they require frequent watering to develop strong roots and healthy foliage, particularly during Tasmania’s cool winters and mild summers. This careful nurturing helps the Murtis berries lay the foundation for the fruity and tart flavors that make our Best Pink Gin stand out from the rest.
Flowering: The First Sign of Fruity Goodness
As the Murtis berry plant matures, it produces delicate blossoms that are essential for the development of the berries. These flowers attract bees and other pollinators, setting the stage for a great harvest. We need a very big harvest as we need about 100KGs of these berries. The high humidity in Tasmania plays a significant role here, ensuring the flowers stay vibrant and healthy, leading to a successful yield of berries.
The flowering stage is where the magic truly begins, as the plant prepares to transform these blossoms into the fruit that gives our Pink Gin its unique character. With such meticulous care, it’s no wonder our Pink Gin has earned its reputation as one of Australia’s Best Pink Gins.
Berry Growth: From Blossoms to Young Fruits
Once pollinated, the Murtis berries slowly develop from tiny green buds into luscious, red fruits, accumulating their signature flavors along the way. During this phase, the berries are busy soaking up all the nutrients from the soil and environment, allowing them to grow into the flavorful gems that define our Pink Gin.
The mild climate of Penguin ensures that the berries mature at a steady pace, without the risk of being damaged by extreme temperatures. The tartness from the skin and the fruity aroma of the flesh are crucial elements that bring complexity to our gin, enhancing both its taste and fragrance. It’s these characteristics that have helped our Pink Gin secure its place as an Award-winning gin at multiple prestigious competitions.
Full Maturity: Harvesting the Tassie Berries in the Easter Period
Murtis berries typically reach full maturity around April, aligning perfectly with Tasmania’s Easter period. It’s during this time that our team carefully handpicks the berries at their peak ripeness, ensuring that only the best make it into our Pink Gin. This timing is critical as the berries need to be harvested before the onset of intense cold, which could impact their quality.
By harvesting the berries around Easter, we capture their full flavor potential, allowing the tart skin and fruity notes to blend seamlessly into our gin. It’s this attention to detail that has helped us create the Best Pink Gin, earning three gold awards in its first year, and multiple golds at the Australian Gin Awards.
The Perfect Climate for Murtis (Tassie) Berries
Murtis berries thrive in Tasmania’s unique climate, which offers the ideal combination of mild temperatures, high humidity, and frequent rainfall. These conditions are essential for the healthy growth of the plants, particularly during their early stages when they require consistent watering. Tasmania’s temperate autumn climate during the harvesting period allows the berries to ripen slowly, enhancing their natural flavors and preserving the tart, aromatic qualities that make our gin so fragrant.
The town of Penguin provides the perfect environment for these plants to flourish, with its well-drained soil and ocean-influenced weather patterns creating an unmatched terroir that adds to the distinct flavor of our Pink Gin. This combination of factors makes it possible for us to produce what is widely considered one of the Best Australian Gins on the market.
The Secret Behind Our Award-Winning Pink Gin
The Murtis berries are more than just a key ingredient—they are the essence of our Pink Gin, giving it the unique taste that has won us acclaim and awards. Our Pink Gin has not only won three gold awards in its first year but has also taken home two prestigious golds at the Australian Gin Awards, solidifying its place as one of the Most awarded Gins in Australia.
These berries add a layer of tartness and fruity notes that create a fragrant and delicious experience, unlike any other. Alongside our other expressions, our Wild Tasmanian Gin and Barrel Aged Gin, our Pink Gin has proven that Bright Night is truly among the elite in the world of Australian gin.
Why the Lifecycle of Murtis Berries Matters to Us
Understanding the lifecycle of the Murtis berry is essential in crafting a gin that stands out from the crowd. At Bright Night Gin, we’re proud to be one of only two distilleries using these exceptional Tassie berries, and we’re committed to showcasing their unique flavors in every bottle. By working closely with local farmers in Penguin, we ensure that each berry reaches its full potential, creating a gin that’s as vibrant and unique as the island itself.
Our dedication to using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients not only enhances the flavor of our gin but also supports sustainable farming practices in Tasmania. This commitment to quality and sustainability is what makes Bright Night Gin not just another spirit, but a true expression of Tasmania’s natural beauty.
Penguin, Tasmania
Penguin is a charming coastal town located on the northwest coast of Tasmania, Australia. Situated along the Bass Strait, it falls within the Central Coast Council local government area. The town gets its unique name from the fairy penguins (also known as little penguins) that nest along its coastline. With a population of around 3,800 people, Penguin offers a relaxed seaside atmosphere and is known for its scenic beauty.
One of Penguin’s most notable features is its giant penguin statue, which stands 3.15 meters (10 feet) tall and serves as a popular tourist attraction and photo opportunity. The town boasts a picturesque esplanade with stunning coastal views, a beautiful beach, and a vibrant community. There are great local markets, cafes, and shops, as well as outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, and coastal walks. Penguin’s economy is primarily based on tourism, agriculture, and small-scale manufacturing, with its proximity to larger towns like Burnie and Devonport contributing to its appeal as a residential area.
Multi award winning Bright Night Gin
What a great story of the Murtis berries and their journey from the lush landscapes of Penguin, Tasmania, to the heart of our award-winning Pink Gin. By using these unique Tassie berries, Bright Night Pink Gin continues to shine as one of the Best Australian Gins. With every sip, you’re tasting not just the spirit but also the story of Tasmania’s finest botanicals.
Remember, when you’re enjoying a glass of our Pink Gin, you’re savoring the essence of the Most awarded Gin in Australia. Cheers to the flavors that make Bright Night Gin truly exceptional!
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Our range of multi award winning gins
Bright Night Wild Tasmanian Gin
Capture multi award winning Wild Tasmania in your glass. Recently awarded Asia Pacific spirit of the year 2022.
$85.00 incl GSTAdd to cart
Bright Night Pink Gin
Looks like summer sunset, tastes like strawberry sherbet. Made with Tasmanian murtis berries, try our new Pink Gin.
Original price was: $105.00.$99.00Current price is: $99.00. incl GSTAdd to cart
Chardonnay Barrel Aged Gin
Award winning Wild Tasmanian Gin aged in a Tasmanian Winery's Choardonnay (French Oak) Barrel
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