In what seems like an eternity, Grose Vale's Karu Distillery has finally been able to treat locals to a taste of its latest top drop Morita Chipotle Vodka.
The new product was released on the very first day of the second lock down, which put a serious spanner in the works.
"You can't plan for those sorts of things," says Karu's Ally Ayres.
"It's safe to say that a lot of things went out of joint with the second lock down of COVID."
Thankfully, that's all history now, with the distillery reopening for private tastings on October 16.
The Morita Chipotle Vodka has already proven a huge success for Karu, taking out a Gold Medal in Tasting Australia and being named in the top ten spirits in the country for 2021 by DrinkEasy.
"It was wonderful to see people enjoy it face to facemask with us," said Ally of the reopening.
Ally said that since lockdown she had noticed folk seemed to be getting a little more creative with their spirits at home, "creating cocktails and sharing with us their trails and recipes with our products".
"In saying that, they were looking for a new product to play with, which is where our new spirit just fit in."
Ally said if there was ever a time to get behind independent local businesses, that time was now.
"In the Hawkesbury we have all gone through our share of hardships over the last two and a bit years, from natural disasters to pandemics and it's because of your support that keeps someone else's dream going," she said.
"What you spend with them isn't going toward someone else's third holiday home, it's going back into your community."
Karu Distillery is located at 296 Cabbage Treet Road, Grose Vale. Visit karudistillery.com.au
