Have you ever poured a gin and tonic only to notice a cloudiness forming in your drink? This phenomenon, known as “ghosting” (or “clouding”), might look unusual—some call it mysterious, others magical—but it’s actually a sign of something wonderful: your gin is brimming with botanical oils and crafted with meticulous care. In this article, we’re diving into the science behind ghosting, why it happens, and why it’s a deliberate feature, not a flaw, in premium gins like Bright Night Wild Tasmanian Gin.
What Causes Gin Ghosting/Clouding?
Ghosting occurs when a gin rich in botanical oils interacts with ice or tonic water, causing the essential oils extracted during distillation to emulsify rather than dissolve. These oils, which carry the gin’s aromatic and flavor complexity, remain suspended in the alcohol at room temperature. However, when chilled or diluted, the alcohol’s solubility decreases, allowing the oils to separate and create a delicate, milky haze.
This reaction is rooted in chemistry: alcohol (ethanol) acts as a solvent for oils, but as its concentration drops—say, when ice melts or tonic is added—the oils lose their “support system” and cluster into tiny droplets. The result? A visually striking, textured cloudiness that signals a gin bursting with natural character.
One major factor amplifying ghosting is ABV (alcohol by volume). Higher-proof gins, like Bright Night Wild Tasmanian Gin at 45% ABV, retain more botanical oils because ethanol’s solvent power increases with strength. Similarly, unfiltered gins—those that skip the post-distillation step of removing excess oils—are natural ghosting champions. At Bright Night, we intentionally avoid filtration to preserve every drop of flavor, ensuring that each sip delivers the full intensity of our Tasmanian botanicals.
Why Bright Night Wild Tasmanian Gin Ghosts/Clouds
Bright Night Wild Tasmanian Gin is a masterclass in intentional ghosting. Crafted in New Town, Hobart, Tasmania—a region celebrated for its pristine wilderness—this gin is unfiltered and loaded with oils from native botanicals like pepperberry, lemon myrtle, and macademia. These oils create its award-winning depth, balancing earthy undertones, zesty citrus, warming spices, and floral hints.
The result is a gin that dances on the palate like the Aurora Australis lights up the Tasmanian sky—layers of flavor that shimmer and shift, from earthy spice to zesty citrus, with a finish as bright and lingering as the southern stars.
But it’s not just the botanicals doing the work. The pure Tasmanian mountain water used in distillation plays a starring role. Rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, this water interacts uniquely with the oils, enhancing the ghosting effect. Minerals act as “bridges,” encouraging oil droplets to bind and creating a more pronounced cloud. It’s a harmonious dance between nature and craft, resulting in a gin that’s as visually captivating as it is flavorful.
Other Gins That Cloud/Ghost
Bright Night isn’t alone in its ethereal charm. Globally, distillers are embracing ghosting as a hallmark of quality. In Australia, Poltergeist Unfiltered Gin leans into its name with bold juniper and citrus oils that haze dramatically. Germany’s Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, with 47 botanicals and 47% ABV, is a clouding legend, while Victoria’s Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin uses fresh olive leaves to add a silky, ghosted texture.
These gins share a philosophy: transparency in process. By avoiding excessive filtration, they honor the raw materials, letting the spirit’s natural texture shine. As consumers increasingly seek authenticity, ghosting has become a badge of honor—a visual promise of complexity.
The Taste of an Award-Winner
Multi Award-winning gin, Bright Night Wild Tasmanian isn’t just a ghosting marvel—it’s a sensory masterpiece. In 2022, it made history as the first gin to win Asia Pacific Spirit of the Year, alongside double gold in China and gold medals at the Australian Gin Awards and Melbourne Royal Distilled Spirits Awards.
Judges praise its “layered intensity”: Fresh juniper and orange notes on the nose. Balanced palate with warming juniper and big, bright orange citrus. Silky mouthfeel. Gently building spice with a lovely long finish. To sip Bright Night is to experience the essence of Tasmania itself—a landscape where rainforests meet rugged coastlines, and flavors sparkle with the untamed energy of the Aurora Australis. Our Wild Tasmanian in a short 3 years, has become one of Australia’s Most awarded Gin.
Its versatility is unmatched—sipped neat, it’s a contemplative spirit; over ice, it blooms with Tasmanian wilderness freshness; in a G&T, it transforms into a vibrant, aromatic experience.
Pro Tip: For the ultimate serve, pair one part Bright Night with two parts premium tonic, a slice of grapefruit (to echo its citrus notes), and a sprig of rosemary (to highlight its herbal backbone). The ghosting effect? Consider it a preview of the flavor explosion to come.
Gin Craftmanship in every bottle
While ghosting might startle the uninitiated, it’s a celebration of craftsmanship. In an era of mass-produced spirits, unfiltered gins like Bright Night Wild Tasmanian Gin reject shortcuts, prioritizing flavor over clarity. This cloudiness is a nod to tradition—early gins were often hazy—and a rebellion against the hyper-polished aesthetics of modern liquor.
So, the next time your gin and tonic turns cloudy, raise a glass to the distiller’s art. You’re not just drinking a spirit; you’re savoring a story of botanicals, water, and unwavering passion. And in Bright Night’s case, that story is as wild and untamed as Tasmania itself.
How to get your hands on our gins
Experience the magic of Bright Night Gin in whatever way suits you best. Our signature 700ml bottles showcase our full range, perfect for stocking your home bar or giving as a generous gift. For those wanting to explore our collection, our 200ml gift packs offer a delightful tasting journey through our award-winning expressions. Looking for the complete experience? Our carefully curated Gin and Tonic gift packs pair our gins with premium tonics and garnishes, giving you everything needed for the perfect serve.
For aspiring mixologists, our Cocktail kit packs combine our exceptional gins with professional-grade tools and our exclusive cocktail book, setting you up to create bar-quality drinks at home. All our products are available through our online gin store, with delivery across Australia, or you can find us in select premium retailers and bars nationwide. Whether you’re treating yourself or searching for the perfect gift, there’s a Bright Night Gin experience waiting for you.
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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
Original price was: $99.00.$94.00Current price is: $94.00. incl GSTRead more
