Kangaroo Island Spirits
Kangaroo Island Spirits
4.5
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
South Australia's first boutique distillery, Australia's oldest dedicated Gin distillery, Kangaroo Island Spirits are producing award-winning Gin, Liqueurs, Vodka and more recently Whisky utilising local and native ingredients. Most recently released a single-origin Gin called Koala48. The cellar door offers tastings with extensive information about the product and processes in a rustic but personal setting. Enjoy great coffee, a cocktail and delicious food options from our onsite food van in our Gin Garden. Options for group bookings, gin platters and Gin Blending classes, Cocktail Master Classes and Premium Gin Tastings exist through the website.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles514 reviews
Excellent
374
Very good
110
Average
14
Poor
7
Terrible
9

Anthony H
3 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Friends
Visited on Saturday 15/8 to unfortunately a lack luster experience. A pretty disinterested welcome and staff not overly keen to chat about the gins. Totally understand the need to charge for tastings, but $5 per half shot is a grab for cash. A suggestion could be to take tasting costs off a bottle like many wineries do, or charge a set price for the overall experience. No info was available about the cocktails that were on offer apart from their names, and again not much interest in talking through them as one would expect from a tasting place. Perhaps it was the exceptionally friendly experiences we had all over the island that made this one stand out as not great, we were really looking forward to going here but left pretty dissapointed.
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Beat512013
Adelaide, Australia34 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
I always recommend and sometimes take my visitors to KIS. LD was so excited to be going to KIS she has had lots of international gin tastings so was so keen to have the Kangaroo Island experience. we drove past at 1030 too early come back . What a disappointed G must have had a bad night no eye contact no smile interrupted our tasting to serve a chap he knew and gave no indication or story to the gin making flavour or tastes at all ... waited over 20mins for the second cocktail we ordered. One of the group bought within minutes of entering the premises and we Intended to buy up Big, but after the reception bought only a small amount. When I went in to find the second cocktail he was happy chatting to visitors .. so he can smile and be nice if he wants to .. I have spent $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ but after that insult and rudeness.. why bother .
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I really do apologise that you had such a disappointing experience. We do pride ourselves on our customer service and we really appreciate any feedback good or bad so that we can work on supporting and improving our experiences. All of our staff have experienced a great deal of anguish in the last month, not only with the constant threat of the fires, but also to their livelihoods, not knowing if they were going to have a job with the lack of tourists to the island. Last weekend saw an amazing turn around in visitation to our cellar door, but alas, when a bus load of people turn up without notice, we are just too small and under staffed to cope with this. Unfortunately this is what left our staff feeling frazzled when you entered the business.
Written March 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

fryzieryan
Adelaide, Australia11 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
Before coming to KI we were told that this place was a must visit. We arrived with excitement and anticipation only to be (barely) greeted by uninterested staff. I said it was our first time visiting, expecting to be told a bit about the place and what tasting options there were, only to be shown a piece of paper and asked what we want. 15ml tastings were $5 each which seems steep but the gins themselves were quite nice.

While sitting outside with our drinks a lady came and cranked the fire next to us which sent smoke billowing into us which made us move tables.

It's a pity that we were made to feel unwelcomed as the drinks were enjoyable. Had the service been better we may have bought a bottle or two to take with us.
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kim G
Adelaide, Australia29 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
We had heard so much about the gin distillery so was so excited to visit today. Unfortunately the experience was unimpressive. For the price of the gin and the fact you are paying $20 for a taste of all the gins (which is great to do) we did not have anyone talk to us about the gins. I asked if they were going to take us through and this fairly young man/boy, advised that we would get a sheet of paper with the details of the gins on it. The other reviews suggested some visitors were taken through and lots of information provided so perhaps it has to do with the particular staff member. I think it is important to make sure all staff treat all customers the same. Even when I said how excited we were to try based on recommendations, he seemed pretty unmoved.
We bought two tasting plates and I agree with another review that some garnish would have been a good addition. We liked three out of the 5. Pricey for little or no experience element but lots of potential for improvement!
Written November 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The Cook & The Brain
Darwin, Australia55 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Couples
We arrived with high hopes to this quirky distillery after a friend recommended we visit. Unfortunately, like so many reviews I have now seen post-visit, the experience was very underwhelming. No food, ordinary coffee, limited cocktail menu, and uninviting atmosphere. Some staff very friendly, however, whether it’s due to covid restriction stress or poor organisation in general, the manner of other staff was enough cause for us to skip the spirits tasting and head elsewhere. So much potential, but some professional development toward customer service and how to share distillery knowledge and expertise would go a long way as so much of these type of attractions depend on the whole vibe of the experience, not just the produce. I’d also highlight that the KI brochure needs to update details to be accurate in what this distillery actually consistently offers its customers. Hopeful that the owners are taking the reoccurring feedback on board so next time promises a more positive visit!
Written October 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HMac92
Melbourne, Australia43 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
Gin & non-gin drinkers of the group were all equally happy here. A lovely setting in the garden, very good (and world-class award winning) gin flights, cocktails, liquor tastings available. A small selection of good food available. We were given ample information about the tastings as well.
Written April 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Hannah, so glad your party was happy with both our gin and non alcoholic offerings. Its always so good to hear that everyone in your party was well catered for.
Written June 23, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Susan M
5 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2020
What an amazing place... Kangaroo Island. Everyone we have met has been welcoming, friendly and we have experienced fantastic customer service at each encounter. Reasonable to assume KISpirits would provide a similar service. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We booked ahead to ensure a table. I wanted to buy a signature gin as a gift. This was a planned visit and one we were looking forward to. On entering the shop there was no friendly welcome, rather an arrogant grunt from a man behind the counter. We persevered and said we had a booking. We were told to go to a table out in the tent. We obliged. My friend wanted to leave at that point however I talked her out of it. I went to order some tastings. I had to endure the rude man again and he was just that; fortunately the man who served the drinks at the table was pleasant and briefly explained which gin was which. This was encouraging. We finished our drinks and decided on purchases. Our Intent was to buy 3 bottles. Unfortunately we came away with none. The man behind the counter made it impossible To purchase. It has been a long time since I have experienced such poor customer service. I felt for the younger man who was doing his best to keep customers happy but was being sorely let down by the other man. A really disappointing end to a lovely day.
Written June 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rainbowrider2016
Kangaroo Island, Australia1,474 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
Small boutique distillery but big fun!
And they had a renovation several months ago so, bigger and better now.
Always friendly service and excellent Gin, Vodka, and Liquors.
Tasting plates are the best way to try their quality spirits,
Gin tasting is $20 and Liquors tasting is $15.
Nice and relaxing table setting in the beautiful garden outside.
We enjoyed it very much.
Definitely my favorite spot on Kangaroo Island.
Written November 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kévin H
Hobart, Australia125 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Couples
We had a good time at KIS. Very nice garden and place.
The gins are ok (some were disappointing but other were good like the Old Tom) but we were surprised that we didn’t get any of the garnish ! We are used to do gin tasting and usually you get gin with the garnish on side, it’s professional and it is the best way to try the gin ..

Also, a bit disappointing, 90$ a bottle for an average it’s quite expensive. You can get some excellent / world class gin from Tasmania for the same price (or less) (for example Sheep Whey, Sud Polaire, Poltergeist, Mc Henry......)

It’s still deserve a stop; it’s a good place to visit and relax in Kangaroo Island.
Written November 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Russell M
Greater Sydney, Australia129 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
During a family holiday on Kangaroo Island three members booked in for the gin tasting experience at KI Spirits. To say they enjoyed themselves would be an understatement. Trying different gins outdoors on a sunny afternoon was certainly time well spent and being able to add botanicals and different mixers made it all the more enjoyable. My wife and sister definitely voted the Mulberry Gin as their favourite.
Written November 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

…
Showing results 1-10 of 494
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Kangaroo Island Spirits - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

All things to do in Cygnet River
Day Trips in Cygnet River
FlightsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars