How Inverroche Is Pioneering South Africa’s Craft Gin

Inverroche is a progressive craft distillery that pioneered craft gin in South Africa, creating uniquely South African spirits using rare hand-harvested wild African Fynbos botanicals. A true proudly South African product, Inverroche is built on family and prides itself in creating a niche product which looks as good as it tastes.

Founded by Lorna Scott and her family in Still Bay, this petite distillery has grown from a small home industry to a pioneering craft distillery and leader in the world of craft Gins. Inverroche is located in Still Bay in the Cape Floristic region which hosts one of the highest known concentration of plant species known as Fynbos. Famous for its large and diverse variety of botanical species – the South African heritage is intertwined beautifully into the Inverroche brand.

Fynbos has long been used by indigenous people for medicinal and culinary purposes but is now under threat due to agricultural development and invasive alien plants. Lorna felt that one way of preserving fynbos would be to find a commercial use for it and to create a global brand telling the story of these historically significant plants which contributed to the emergence and survival of modern humans. BY doing this she created an abundance of jobs for the local community and this is portrayed by the in excess of 70% local female workforce employed by the distillery.

The Inverroche distillery lies at the confluence of the Goukou River and the Indian Ocean near the coastal resort of Still bay in the Western Cape. Vineyards, olive groves and Fynbos surround the distillery itself, with ancient Milkwood trees marking the boundaries of the estate. The name Inverroche was an amalgamation of French and Celtic words, combined to celebrate the unique geography surrounding the distillery (‘Inver’ refers to the confluence of waters, ‘Roche’ is the French translation of the word rock).

The distillery’s three gins were launched on 16th December 2011, which incidentally, is also the first time that they opened their doors to the public. From selling a few bottles on that first day to now being the leading South African Luxury Gin in both South Africa and abroad.

Each variant of Inverroche (Classic / Verdant & Amber) is carefully created with fynbos from the various areas (Limestone rich lowlands / mountainous terrain / coastal region ) which make them truly unique spirits.

Try the below Gin & Tonic serve with the Inverroche Amber Recipe

Drink Serve Recipe

NAME: AMBER G&T

50ML INVERROCHE AMBER

200ML INDIAN TONIC WATER

3 DASH BITTERS

GARNISH WITH FIG JAM AND SESEAME SEEDS