New Zealand’s Clarity Distilling Company is eyeing international expansion after its whey-based gin received the highest rating at a leading international spirits competition.
The Clarity Navy Gin, which is made using ethanol derived from grass-fed New Zealand dairy whey, was awarded 99 points and a Gold Outstanding medal at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition in London. It was also the highest-scoring gin to enter this year’s competition.
The result has triggered a surge in international enquiries from consumers and distributors in the US, UK, Australia and India, with the company now in discussions with overseas importers.
Co-founder George White said the recognition has opened a potential pathway for the company to move from a small New Zealand craft producer into a multimillion-dollar export business.
One of the company’s key differences is its use of whey-based ethanol, produced from a natural by-product of grass-fed New Zealand dairy. While most ethanol used in spirits is traditionally made from molasses, cane sugar or grain, White said his company is one of the few in the world that uses casein whey as the feedstock for ethanol production.
“The locally sourced whey in our base spirit gives the gin a texture and softness that people notice, changing the mouth-feel of the product and giving us a point of difference, where the grass-fed New Zealand dairy story is already well understood and highly regarded,” he said.
According to the co-founder, the US market presents a major opportunity for Clarity, as gin remains less developed as a premium category than whiskey, tequila and vodka, creating an opening for “differentiated products with a clear point of origin”.
The company has also been approached by India-based importers and distributors, including a Mumbai retailer with more than 70 stores.
“India is a huge opportunity it is the fastest growing spirits market in the world, and the FTA has definitely helped open the door to a consumer base we may previously struggled to access,” White said.
He added that any significant export deal would have flow-on benefits for the company, including the need to take on new staff for production and logistics.
“Right now we are operating at only about 5 per cent of our capacity, so we are able to scale quickly if we can secure the right distribution agreement.”
While the business has seen steady growth in its home market, with products now stocked through a range of online retailers, bars, restaurants and liquor stores, White said international markets are increasingly important because gin demand is seasonal in New Zealand.
Co-founder Stephanie Downer added that the latest award is less about a single medal and more about proving that a young New Zealand manufacturer can compete with the world’s best.
“We started as a small Tauranga distillery, and in three years we have achieved recognition across San Francisco, London and the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
“The challenge now is to leverage this international recognition and build Clarity into a New Zealand export success story that creates jobs, drives regional growth and takes Bay of Plenty craft spirits to the world,” she said.
- Further reading: ‘Just the beginning’: NZ’s Kiddicare expands to Canada.
