Poppy seeds feature in the latest limited-edition gin from Imagination Gin, created in collaboration with Tall Poppy, as unique gifts for our clients nationwide, just in time for summer.

We love to collaborate with other local, innovative companies and gin felt like the perfect summer refresher.  Imagination Gin is distilled less than 15 minutes away from Tall Poppy HQ in Kāpiti.

Limited to 420 bottles, white and black poppy seeds, grapefruit, lemons, and other botanicals are infused with Imagination’s Dry Gin. Chris Charteris, Co-Founder of Imagination Gin, says the poppy seeds give a sweet, fruity, and slightly nutty flavour.

“Poppy seeds are used for subtle sweetness in gin overseas, but it’s relatively new for New Zealand.

“Any ingredients you use for cooking (or grow in the garden) can flavour gin. For it to be a true dry gin, juniper berries need to be prominent - then it’s a matter of creating a balance through complementary citrus, spice and herbaceous flavours. And of course, in this gin, there are poppy seeds,” says Chris Charteris.

A True Collaboration from Garden to Bottle

Heidi Roberts, Senior Marketing Manager for Tall Poppy says the citrus, grapefruit and lemons used to make the new gin came from the gardens of Tall Poppy Staff on the Kāpiti Coast, making it a truly local labour of love.

“Once we met Chris and Simon, we realised the parallels between our brands. Like us, they’re doing unique things within the industry and are recognised for their innovation. As soon as we began talking about how we can put a Tall Poppy spin on their classic dry gin, Chris and Simon suggested poppy seeds - it was an immediate yes for us and a clear nod to our brand,” says Heidi Roberts.

“The great thing about the Poppy Seed Gin is it’s a massive collaboration in and out of the bottle,” says Chris Charteris.

It’s the first time Imagination Gin has worked with a real estate company to create a new gin.   Established in 2018, Imagination Gin has quickly gone on to win awards for their innovative approach. Their gin’s unique flavour comes from distilling in an 8-plate fractionating column using charcoal filtered rainwater, and a distinctive yeast used in fermentation.

The Tall Poppy x Imagination Gin will be available to our team of over 150 sales consultants around New Zealand, as client gifts - taking the Kāpiti collaboration from the Bay of Plenty to Invercargill. The Gin is the first in a range of exciting, locally focused collaborations we will release in 2021. Stay tuned!