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Review: Craft Gin Club

Published on August 15, 2019 • Last updated April 13, 2024 by Elizabeth

It’s toes-in-the-sand time, and Craft Gin Club has curated a gin box for the perfect beach day (or for lounging on the patio in the sun under a cherry tree!). Here’s what we thought…

Craft Gin Club box
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Fun in the sun
  • Manly Spirits – Nature in a Bottle
  • About Craft Gin Club
  • So what’s in August’s Craft Gin Club box?
  • Exclusive Discount Code

Fun in the sun

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving the sunny summery weather we’ve been having lately! Ok, there have been a few spells of remarkably heavy rain, but still, there’s been a fair few beach days this summer.

I’ve recently moved house, and August’s subscription box was my first Craft Gin Club delivery in my new home. I opened my box outdoors on my new patio, with its sea views, sitting in the shade of my overhanging flowering cherry tree. All the happy, I tell you, and gin to boot!

It was perfect timing for the theme of August’s Craft Gin Club box—Fun in the Sun! It’s toes-in-the-sand time, and Craft Gin Club has curated a gin box for the perfect beach day (or for lounging on the patio in the sun under a cherry tree!).

This month’s gin comes all the way from Australia. I do have to confess I was originally rather perplexed by the name: Manly Spirits. What’s so manly about it? It turns out that there’s a rather famous beach (the home of surfing, I’ve since learned!) in Australia called Manly Beach, and this gin is named after that.

Manly Spirits Gin

Manly Spirits – Nature in a Bottle

With the scent and flavours of a sunny Australian beach, this gin, which Craft Gin Club have imported specially for us amazing members, is like a holiday in a bottle!

This gin is made in small batches using sustainably harvested sea lettuce found on Curl Curl Beach, just a stone’s throw from the distillery. This unique seaweed imparts a taste of the sea into the distillate as well as that ever-elusive umami character.

Description – “Fruit and pepper are on the nose, elevated by juniper and delicate citrus. On the palate, this gin is dominated by soft spice and approachable pepper, with a juniper core and a lingering, complex finish.”

Botanicals – Sea Lettuce, Pepper Leaf, Anise Myrtle, Finger Lime, Orange Peel, plus Juniper and traditional gin botanicals.

Craft Gin Club

About Craft Gin Club

Craft Gin Club is the UK’s biggest club for gin lovers. It’s a subscription service where you’re in charge – you can have monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly deliveries, and you’re free to change or cancel your subscription at any time. Delivery is via Royal Mail and it’s free.

Each month, you’ll receive a full-sized bottle of craft gin that isn’t available anywhere else. The gin is always a surprise until it arrives—it’s like opening each box on Christmas morning! 

In addition, you’ll receive a selection of paired mixers, sweet and savoury snacks, and a 56-page GINNED! club magazine packed with recipes, stories, and gin inspiration.

Craft Gin Club - August 2019

So what’s in August’s Craft Gin Club box?

  • 70cl bottle of Manly Spirits Australian Dry Gin – the taste of the sea, distilled
  • 4 x 150 ml Skinny Tonics – two of each flavour: Indian Tonic & Light Citrus
  • 200 ml Pago Pineapple juice – for the perfect tropical gin cocktail (see the video below!)
  • 50 ml Gin-a-colada Mango & Coconut Syrup
  • Salted Caramel Gourmet Popcorn from Popcorn Shed
  • 2 x packets of Emily’s Veg Crisps in Sea Salt and Chilli & Lime
  • 125-gram pack of Bahlsen Luxury Jaffa Cakes 
  • dried lemon slices and pineapple, for a cocktail garnish

I’ve been getting the Craft Gin Club subscription box for over a year now, and I have never failed to be impressed by its contents. This month was not a disappointment either – I loved the ingredients for the Gin-a-colada (although, be warned, it does pack a punch!).

Although I am no stranger to the deliciousness of Popcorn Shed popcorn (Salted Caramel is my favourite!), I was delighted to try the new Emily’s Veg Crisps. Both flavours were fabulous, and I really liked how big and chunky the seasoned sweet potato fries were, perfect for snacking while sipping! Jaffa Cakes, in any form, are going to be a win in my eyes, but these Bahlsen Luxury Jaffa Cakes were just that little bit more fabulous than usual with their dark chocolate topping and rectangular shape.

Exclusive Discount Code

Join the Craft Gin Club using the exclusive discount code ELIZABETH40 to receive 40% off your first box!

Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary receives monthly Craft Gin Club boxes in exchange for occasional promotion, although all thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. Thank you for supporting the brands who make it possible for me to do what I love: mess up my (gorgeous new) kitchen and share recipe stories! Be DrinkAware. Remember to always drink responsibly.

Category: Product, Review

About Elizabeth

Solivagant. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

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Next Post:How to Make Fougasse – the French cousin of Italian FocacciaFougasse bread is the French cousin of Italian focaccia, an oval white bread seasoned with olive oil and salt cut to resemble an ear of wheat.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Georgie Wright

    August 25, 2019 at 11:28 pm

    I love gin and the box looks like lots of fun with lots of tasty treats to try!

    Reply
  2. Emma Davison

    August 25, 2019 at 8:12 pm

    I’d like to try different gins rather than sticking with the sae one. A gin subscription seems like a good way to try new ones.

    Reply
  3. Pat Healy

    August 25, 2019 at 7:16 pm

    Grnandson’s childminder would love this. She has a well deserved Friday gin night. Would love to win this for her.

    Reply
  4. alisa moore

    August 25, 2019 at 4:45 pm

    I’d love to have the chance to try different gins.

    Reply
  5. Jessica Hutton

    August 25, 2019 at 4:06 pm

    I would love to win so that I could try some new things.

    Reply
  6. joanne casey

    August 25, 2019 at 10:12 am

    50ml of Manly Spirits goes into each Craft Gin Club Gin-a-colada, I’d love to win because I love gin!!

    Reply
  7. Jenny Shearman

    August 24, 2019 at 10:56 pm

    50 ml added, would love to win the box as so many delicious treats to try.

    Reply
  8. Jo Glasspool

    August 24, 2019 at 10:54 pm

    50ml
    Id love any of them. they all sound fab.

    Reply
  9. Alison Clark

    August 24, 2019 at 10:41 pm

    This is a great idea to try lots of different items out. The answer is 50ml.

    Reply
  10. Chirag Patel

    August 24, 2019 at 10:22 pm

    50 ml just would love to try it sound lovely

    Reply
  11. Jenny Barker

    August 24, 2019 at 10:17 pm

    50ml and love love love gin but its just a bit expensive and what I class a little luxury so this would make my summer

    Reply
  12. Deborah Bird

    August 24, 2019 at 10:15 pm

    50ml
    I would love to win this box as a treat for the hubby x

    Reply
  13. sarah parker

    August 24, 2019 at 7:02 pm

    I’d love to win as I love gin 🙂

    Reply
  14. Helen

    August 24, 2019 at 3:14 pm

    mmmmmm gin

    Reply
  15. Laura Chapman

    August 24, 2019 at 11:37 am

    50ml. I’d love to win because I actually used to live in Manly in Sydney, so would love a bottle that seems very appropriate, for my cocktail trolly!

    Reply
  16. Amy Bondoc

    August 24, 2019 at 7:45 am

    70. id love to win ths for my dad !

    Reply
  17. Julie Alderson

    August 24, 2019 at 12:54 am

    I’ve just started drinking gin again, after many years, so this would be a great prize to win for me.

    Reply
  18. Joanne McDonald

    August 23, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    50ml and feel like it would be an exciting monthly treat!

    Reply
  19. Caroline Tinsley

    August 23, 2019 at 5:38 pm

    50ml
    I’d love to win this as I make a different cocktail every Friday and this would give me some inspiration!

    Reply
  20. Ren Taylor

    August 23, 2019 at 4:48 pm

    Would love to try this for my boozy Sunday afternoons with my sister !

    Reply
  21. Susan Willshee

    August 22, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    I’d love to win because I bought my daughter a gin box subscription for her birthday and she loved it, so now I’d love to try it too!

    Reply
  22. Philip

    August 22, 2019 at 7:04 pm

    Its a fantastic time for craft alcohol, there are some great breweries and distilleries around. There are so many out there I can see the appeal of a subscription service.

    Reply
  23. Emily Hutchinson

    August 22, 2019 at 3:08 pm

    I’d love to win as it would be so fun to try some new drink ideas out!

    Reply
  24. Jodie Green

    August 22, 2019 at 9:37 am

    I love trying new gins and would love a treat box

    Reply
  25. Hayley F

    August 21, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    I would love this for my dad. He is gin obsessed plus all the other treats are an added bonus

    Reply
  26. Chantelle Hazelden

    August 21, 2019 at 8:36 am

    I’d love to win because I could never have enough gin!

    Reply
  27. Karen hutchinson

    August 21, 2019 at 12:02 am

    would love to win this for my gin loving friend

    Reply
  28. cheryl hadfield

    August 20, 2019 at 10:18 pm

    I would love to win, I love trying new gins and enjoying new recipes

    Reply
  29. Ashley

    August 20, 2019 at 9:03 pm

    i would love to win because it would be nice to try!

    Reply
  30. m hines

    August 20, 2019 at 8:07 pm

    Would love to win this as I love to relax in the garden on a sunny day with an ice cold gin cocktail

    Reply
  31. Liz Simpson

    August 20, 2019 at 4:05 pm

    I’d love to win this as I enjoyed a lovely walk along the Manly Beach promenade earlier this year. Although it was their winter (end of June) it was a gloriously sunny day and about 20 degrees and this would remind me of that special day at the seaside.

    Reply
  32. Garrett McImurray

    August 20, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    My wife and I just love a gin to set the mood. Thanks for the entry

    Reply
  33. Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too

    August 20, 2019 at 10:17 am

    I’d love to win this for my mum, she loves a glass (or two) of gin after a busy day at work

    Reply
  34. Melissa Lee

    August 20, 2019 at 10:01 am

    I would love to win this as I love trying out new gins

    Reply
  35. Sarah Jolly

    August 20, 2019 at 9:56 am

    Never had a subscription box before and what a start this would be!!

    Reply
  36. Rich Tyler

    August 19, 2019 at 11:59 pm

    Would love to win this gin!

    Reply
  37. Kelly M.

    August 19, 2019 at 7:08 pm

    Gin and tonic, goes perfectly sitting out in the garden, especially if I have spent the day weeding and pruning.

    Reply
  38. Susan Hoggett

    August 19, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    I know a friend who had this and it sounded amazing, would love to try it!!

    Reply
  39. Laura Banks

    August 19, 2019 at 4:24 pm

    it would be something different

    Reply
  40. Katie Skeoch

    August 19, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    Id love to win as i love hin and the tropical gin cocktail is just what i need to cheer me up with this miserable weather

    Reply
  41. James healy

    August 19, 2019 at 1:46 pm

    Id love to win because I love trying new Gins!

    Reply
  42. Kim lester

    August 19, 2019 at 11:03 am

    id love to win to treat my husband and i to something we haven’t had before.

    Reply
  43. WhatLauraLoves

    August 18, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    This year has really been the year of the gin drinking for me! I never used to love it as much as I do now.I prefer it with lemonade though xxx

    Reply
  44. Katie B

    August 18, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    I would love to win this as it looks like a lovely treat!

    Reply
  45. Judith MacInnes

    August 18, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    Love the idea of including a gin from over the pond – I (like lots of people) have relatives in Oz, so I can ask if they’ve tried it too!

    Reply
  46. Charli Bruce

    August 18, 2019 at 5:25 pm

    My partner absolutely loves Gin, so this would be a great box for him! Such a great giveaway too!

    Reply
  47. Karen R

    August 18, 2019 at 7:46 am

    I’d love to win this because it looks like fabulous great tasting snacks and drinks xx

    Reply
  48. C Parkin

    August 17, 2019 at 10:56 pm

    I love the selection of mixers and snacks that come with the gin, and Xml of Manly Spirits goes into each Craft Gin Club Gin-a-colada.

    Reply
  49. Lynda Jones

    August 17, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    I’d love this super gin box to share with my friend as we love trying new gins

    Reply
  50. Carole Nott

    August 17, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    Sounds delicious. Would love to try the box and sample different gins

    Reply
  51. Doreen Brady

    August 17, 2019 at 6:35 pm

    What’s not to love about this! It looks amazing.

    Reply
  52. Kara

    August 17, 2019 at 5:09 pm

    I love gin and trying out new flavours, my current fave is watermelon!!

    Reply
  53. terri kelly

    August 17, 2019 at 4:36 pm

    I would love to win this awesome prize as I’m partial to a little gin and this would be a lovely treat!

    Reply
  54. Kim Carberry

    August 17, 2019 at 3:24 pm

    I’m not a big gin drinker but my dad is. I think he would love this! I’d love to win and give him it. x

    Reply
  55. Sarah Taylor

    August 17, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    The gin-a-colado needs [XX]ml of Manly Spirits. What a great way to try new gins.

    Reply
  56. Kerry Lock

    August 17, 2019 at 12:00 pm

    I love trying new gin, the box looks a perfect weekend treat.

    Reply
  57. Rachel B

    August 16, 2019 at 10:39 pm

    I’d love to win as a special treat for myself 🙂

    Reply
  58. Amanda Hart

    August 16, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    I am quite boring with gins, tend to stick to the same thing always
    Would just love to try something new

    Reply
  59. Jennifer Ward

    August 16, 2019 at 7:50 pm

    I love trying new gins and this would be a fab prize to win

    Reply
  60. Man Tat Chung

    August 16, 2019 at 6:48 pm

    Amazing giveaway, the selection is great!

    Reply
  61. Hayley W

    August 16, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    LOVE the variety in this box – it’s perfect for a summer night in the garden.

    Reply
  62. Sarah N

    August 16, 2019 at 4:45 pm

    I’d love to win this. I’m a big fan of gin and love trying new ones.

    Reply
  63. Helen Jones

    August 16, 2019 at 3:28 pm

    I would love to make this cocktail and this box would be a great starting point

    Reply
  64. Lucy Wright-Booth

    August 16, 2019 at 2:28 pm

    I would love to win this as I’m on a quest to find the perfect gin so want to try every one!

    Reply
  65. Rachael Simmons

    August 16, 2019 at 1:22 pm

    I would love to win this for my sister, for a little tipple as she’s a new mama and needs the dutch courage! When she has a night off, of course 🙂

    Reply
  66. Barbara Knight

    August 16, 2019 at 12:17 pm

    The gin-a-colado needs [XXml] of Manly Spirits. The box sounds a great way of trying gins I would never usually come across.

    Reply
  67. Stacey Carnell

    August 16, 2019 at 11:44 am

    I would love to win as me and my husband are on a mission to try as many different gin’s as possible and keep the bottles as a momentum. This would be a lovely addition!

    Reply
  68. Alison Johnson

    August 16, 2019 at 11:29 am

    I’d love to win one of these boxes as with my Hubby we’ve been trying new gins out lately & this seems like a really god way to taste more!

    Reply
  69. Janette

    August 16, 2019 at 10:51 am

    I would like to win because I like trying out different gins.

    Reply
  70. Melanie williams

    August 16, 2019 at 10:38 am

    Gin clubs are all the rage for sure. My friend is an absolute gin fan so would love this box as a gift xx

    Reply
  71. Leanne weir

    August 16, 2019 at 10:18 am

    I would love this for my sister

    Reply
  72. Elodie

    August 16, 2019 at 10:00 am

    This is amazing! I’m not one for subscription boxes but for gin? I’d do it! Although i’m currently out of the country so many when I get back! I’d love to try more than your standard gins you find in Waitrose!

    Reply
  73. Mari Sutherland

    August 16, 2019 at 9:57 am

    Lots of gins what is there not to like?

    Reply
  74. Sophie Perry

    August 16, 2019 at 9:27 am

    I would love to win it because I LOVE gin 🙂

    Reply
    • Sophie Roberts

      August 23, 2019 at 8:55 pm

      It needs 50ml of the Manly Spirits for the cocktail and I’d love to win because we’re huge gin fans and we’ve never tried a subscription box!

      Reply
  75. Emily Knight

    August 16, 2019 at 8:34 am

    I love the fact that unlike other subscription boxes, it’s not just all about the drinks – but the snacks too!

    Reply
  76. katy peterson

    August 16, 2019 at 8:15 am

    I’d love to try something new!
    I’m a bit boring and tend to have the same gin and sparkling water with passionfruit syrup.

    Reply
  77. LJ

    August 16, 2019 at 7:14 am

    My husband would be thrilled!

    Reply
  78. Ms C Bryan

    August 16, 2019 at 1:13 am

    Would be great to share with friends

    Reply
  79. Jessica Jacob

    August 15, 2019 at 11:24 pm

    A lovely article, thank you

    Reply
  80. Charlotte Williams

    August 15, 2019 at 10:52 pm

    You can’t beat a good GandT of an evening!

    Reply
  81. Denice

    August 15, 2019 at 10:47 pm

    🙂 Would love to experience different craft gins, I’d be stalking my Postie on delivery day

    Reply
  82. pete c

    August 15, 2019 at 10:40 pm

    The prize would be a great intro to some new gin varieties

    Reply
  83. L Forsyth

    August 15, 2019 at 10:21 pm

    Sounds like an amazing prize, would love a G&T after baby number 2 is born in November

    Reply
  84. Natalie Louise

    August 15, 2019 at 10:02 pm

    I would love to try everything in this gin box, it looks amazing.

    Reply
  85. Magsdss

    August 15, 2019 at 9:58 pm

    This box sounds a wonderful treat for summer

    Reply
  86. Mary Heald

    August 15, 2019 at 9:55 pm

    My husband loves gin ….this would make such a lovely surprise and treat for him.

    Reply
  87. Amy

    August 15, 2019 at 9:43 pm

    I love gin, would adore a gin subscription!

    Reply
  88. Solange

    August 15, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    The box looks great. I love the sound of everything in it.

    Reply
  89. Kaye houston

    August 15, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    I would love to try this as I have never had fun before and this sounds amazing!

    Reply
  90. melanie stirling

    August 15, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    These boxes are really good for trying new things and my mum would love this.

    Reply
  91. Lorraine Tinsley

    August 15, 2019 at 9:12 pm

    I love gin, went a gin festival recently and discovered some amazing ones so this would beright up my street

    Reply
  92. Kay Broomfield

    August 15, 2019 at 9:03 pm

    I’d love to win as I’m a big gin fan and I think after I’ve tried a box I’ll probably end up subscribing as a little treat to me!

    Reply
  93. Joanna B

    August 15, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    I just think winning a box of gorgeous drinks and nibbles like this would be a proper treat.

    Reply
  94. Rebecca Smith

    August 15, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    I’ve been considering signing up to this subscription, it sounds fantastic!

    Reply
  95. Helen Tovell

    August 15, 2019 at 8:46 pm

    love the look of the box and would love try as not yet had the experience

    Reply
  96. Emma G

    August 15, 2019 at 8:45 pm

    This box is fab. A great variety and I spied some Jaffa cakes!

    Reply
  97. Declan Fogiel

    August 15, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    I’d love to win this!

    Reply
  98. Bob Clark

    August 15, 2019 at 8:37 pm

    GIN ON SUBSCRIPTION sounds like a great idea – GIN ON PRESCRIPTION would be a surefire winner especially for the payment exempt people

    Reply
  99. Suzanne McCusker

    August 15, 2019 at 8:27 pm

    I think it looks fab, plenty of items to make different drinks, complete with a choice of garnish, and assorted snacks – what’s not to like?!

    Reply
  100. Stuart Hargreaves

    August 15, 2019 at 8:24 pm

    I would like to win Quality, Quality, Quality

    Reply
  101. Lorraine Williams

    August 15, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    would love to win as there is so much variety in the box with new items to try as well as a great gin!

    Reply
  102. Sarah Birkett

    August 15, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    perfect for the Autumn evenings

    Reply
  103. Alex Gladwin

    August 15, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    Oo now this is my sort of subscription box! Love a nice gin! x

    Reply
  104. Andrew Petrie

    August 15, 2019 at 7:56 pm

    Why would I like to win ? Because I love decent Gin !

    Reply
    • Jonathan Day

      August 20, 2019 at 3:37 pm

      I’d love to win as my wife and I love gin and went to Sydney Australia on our honeymoon

      Reply
  105. Gavin Robertson

    August 15, 2019 at 7:52 pm

    I would be in my wife’s good books if I managed to get my hands on this!

    Reply
  106. Kirsty Taylor

    August 15, 2019 at 7:16 pm

    I’d love to win as there’s such a wide selection that I wouldn’t have dared buy individually

    Reply
  107. Chloe Taylor

    August 15, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    Wow. incredible box, full of fantastic goodies to share with my family! Great snacks & a nice gin.

    Reply
  108. Helen B

    August 15, 2019 at 7:12 pm

    it is way too long since I had any gin

    Reply
  109. Heather Haigh

    August 15, 2019 at 7:12 pm

    I love the idea of a Gin subscription box. We have good friends who are now gin-experts and we need to catch up!

    Reply

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Cooking up a storm at the edge of the world

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Welcome to Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary, Scotland’s most northerly award-winning food blog.

I’m based in the wild and remote Shetland Islands, where I’ve been sharing my adventure-fuelling recipes since 2011.

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