Bounty (Drink)

Bounty Gin (also known as Norfolk Gin) is a type of distilled gin produced on Norfolk Island. While frequently distilled by farmsteads in Norfolk Island, the only commercially available Bounty Gin is Fletcher's Bounty produced by the Norfolk Island Brewing-Distilling Cooperative.

History
The distilling of bounty gin began almost immediately upon European settlement on Norfolk Island as Bounty mutineers needed gin to mix with quinine as well as for general enjoyment. The drink eventually became a common product for island farmers. In 1801, the first dedicated distillery was established in Cascade.

With the arrival of British immigrants and convicts in the mid 1800s, Bounty Gin enjoyed popularity among British military officers and new inhabitants who quickly developed a recipe and began distilling. In 1866 another distillery was founded in Northwest Madeline, and the two distillery merged into Norfolk Distilleries Cooperative in 1880 and have continued to produce since, with the Madeline distillery providing the bulk of production while the Cascade Distillery remains the historic and experimental center of the cooperative.

Through the 20th century, Bounty Gin has become the gin of choice in Berringsland. It also has some use in Australia, India and the western United States but isolationist policy under the Nationalist regime made if difficult to expand. With the fall of the nationalist in 2009, the Cooperative plans to expand its export sales heavily.

Distillation
Although the exact composition varies in farmstead production, all Bounty gin is made with water from the Cascade mountains and infused with lemon rind, coriander, savory, juniper and sugar. Fletcher's Bounty claims to be infused with 12 botannicals and the exact composition is a closely guarded secret. Bottles are typically distilled over an 8 hour period.

Bounty Gin may be used in any gin based cocktail, while bars in Berringsland typically garnish strait gin with a lemon rather than a lime. A common order is Cream and Bounty which is served on the rocks ungarnished.

Brand
Fletchers bounty is well known for its poster advertised and the bottle is clear with a likage of Fletcher Christian whose likeage is also frequently used in Norfolk Island pubs. Advertising campaigns typically celebrate the islands piratical and adventurous heritage.

Since 2001, Fletcher's has sponsored the [b]Norfolk Island Rugby Club.[/b]