Familiar Spirits began with a small tabletop copper still and Justin tinkering in the garage with the idea that maybe he could make a gin worth bottling and sharing with mates. Turns out, he was quite the alchemist and we decided to send his Butler’s Gin out into the world.

What followed became a fairly simple idea: if we were going to keep making spirits, they needed to be the ones people actually use and they needed to be excellent.

So instead of chasing trends or releasing endless flavours, we focused on building a small range that forms the backbone of a good home bar. Bottles you reach for again and again.

Justin is in charge of the still, refining each recipe until it feels right. Lana shapes the visual world of Familiar Spirits, choosing the bottles and labels and using her background as a photographer to capture the story behind the brand.

Both of us are unable to pass on a well made cocktail (Justin will take a Caipirinha and Lana a Ramos Gin Fizz) and we equally love making drinks for friends.

The distillery grew alongside Danson, our bartender, whose cocktail knowledge and experience behind the bar introduced us to many of the best restaurants and bars on the Gold Coast, many of whom we now supply with house Gin, Vodka and Limoncello.

Our core range of bottles is designed for the home bar, alongside custom mini bottles for weddings, celebrations and brand gifts.

At the end of the day, the idea is still the same:

Spirits designed for proper cocktails.