Oak & Botanicals: The Story of Morality Gin

In the world of spirits, the concept of ageing in oak barrels has long been the territory of whisky, brandy, and rum. But in recent years, gin — traditionally celebrated for its vibrant botanicals and fresh profile — has entered the barrel room. And here in South Africa, this evolution is taking on a uniquely local character.

A New Chapter in South African Gin

While barrel-aged gin has made its mark globally for decades, it’s a relatively new frontier in South Africa. The first local claim came in 2019, when Durban-based Distillery031 introduced their Barrel Aged Gin — a milestone that sparked curiosity and experimentation among craft distillers across the country.

What makes barrel-aged gin so compelling is its ability to balance two worlds: the crisp botanical brightness of gin and the rich, rounded complexity imparted by wood. Unlike whisky or rum, where ageing can span years, gin requires a more delicate approach — weeks or months in oak, not years — to enhance without overpowering.

The Role of Innovation: Oak Without the Wait

This is where innovation steps in. Instead of traditional barrel ageing, which can be costly and time-consuming, some distillers are now turning to oak alternatives such as TNCoopers’ Viniblocks — precision-toasted blocks of oak designed to accelerate and fine-tune the maturation process.

According to Mike Schmidt, head distiller at Hout Bay Harbour Distillery, “We chose Sweet American Oak Viniblocks because of the smooth, rounded finish they offer. We keep the ageing brief to preserve the gin’s botanical identity while layering in those woody nuances.”

The Morality of Craft: Black Horse’s Take on Aged Gin

At Black Horse Brewery & Distillery in the foothills of the Magaliesburg mountains, we approached barrel-aged gin from a different angle. With Morality Gin, the vision was to merge the disciplines of whisky and gin production. That meant starting with a grain-based wash — using cereals like barley — before infusing the distillate with carefully selected botanicals and maturing it with oak.

“We wanted to do something bold,” says our founder and distiller, Marius Bezuidenhout. “By using TNCoopers’ Viniblocks, we can specify the type of oak and toast level, allowing us to control the flavour profile with far greater precision. This gives Morality Gin its signature warm amber hue and layered character.”

Crafted in the Dutch Jenever style, Morality Amber Gin offers a richer, maltier mouthfeel than your typical London Dry. The infusion of oak adds subtle spice, a creamy vanilla undertone, and a gentle tannic grip — a tribute to its whisky-inspired roots.

From Gin to Rum: A Shared Love of Oak

Our passion for wood-aged spirits doesn’t stop at gin. At Black Horse, we also produce Damnation Rum, aged in ex-bourbon barrels for a minimum of six months and infused with natural vanilla. The result is a deep, dark rum with notes of caramel, oak, and a slight sweetness that make it perfect for sipping neat or enjoying over ice.

The Future of Aged Gin in South Africa

As more distillers across South Africa explore the potential of barrel-aged gin, it’s clear this is more than a fleeting trend. Whether through traditional casks or modern oak alternatives, gin is becoming a canvas for creativity — and the results are as complex as they are compelling.

With Morality Amber Gin, we’re proud to contribute to this growing movement, offering a spirit that challenges expectations while staying true to the botanical heart of gin.

Originally featured on SpiritzIndustry (now offline), this story has been revised to reflect the evolving landscape of South African craft spirits.