Sometimes, the most unexpected paths lead to the best stories. That’s how Two Moons Distillery came into being. Founders Dimple Yuen and Ivan Chang didn’t plan to enter the world of distilling, but their curiosity and creative spirit set them on a different course. What began as a fascination with craft spirits quickly grew into a vision: to create a gin that not only tasted great but also reflected the heart of Hong Kong.
In the mid-2010s, as gin began to gain popularity in Hong Kong, Dimple and Ivan found themselves at a career crossroads. In another life, they might have become scuba instructors, but their growing curiosity about gin led them down a different path. Determined to learn more, they embarked on a distillery-hopping tour across the UK, visiting micro-distilleries to understand the craft of gin-making. During this journey, they created their first batch of gin, aptly named Virgin.
When they returned to Hong Kong, they put their creation to the test through blind tastings with friends and family, mixing Virgin with international brands. To their surprise, Virgin consistently emerged as the favorite. It was at that moment they realized they had a knack for gin-making and saw an opportunity—no local gin brands existed in Hong Kong at the time. Motivated, Dimple delved into distilling studies while Ivan researched licensing and equipment. As pioneers in Hong Kong’s distillery scene, they had to navigate uncharted waters without clear guidelines. After two and a half years of hard work, they launched Two Moons Distillery in December 2019.
The branding of Two Moons Distillery is centered around its true star: Luna. Luna is their custom-built, 100L copper pot still, crafted by the renowned fourth-generation German still makers, Müller GmbH. This still stands out with its distinctive spherical helmet, a hallmark of Müller’s craftsmanship. “The first time we saw her, she looked like a copper moon,” says Dimple. “We named her Luna, and from that, the name Two Moons was born. We imagined a universe where two moons exist—the one you see in the sky every night and the other right here in Chai Wan, in the form of Luna.”
In this imagined universe, the distillery sees Luna as the source of their finest spirits. “Everything ties together in this universe,” Dimple continues, “and we believe that each bottle should tell a story. Behind every flavor, there’s a message or narrative we want to share, all of which are part of this ‘Two Moons universe’ that we’ll reveal over time.”
The Signature Dry Gin is the heart of Two Moons’ collection, crafted as an evolution of their first creation, Virgin. Drawing inspiration from Cantonese cooking and its harmony of flavors, this gin features a unique blend of 12 botanicals, with one-third sourced from Asia. Notable ingredients include dried tangerine peel, fresh lemon peel, pink peppercorn, Chinese almonds, tonka bean, and Madagascan vanilla pods, each adding layers of complexity. “We wanted to create a balanced, complex sipping gin,” explains co-founder Ivan Chang. “Cantonese cuisine was our guide, focusing on balancing sweetness, citrus, spice, and bitterness. We took 70% of Virgin and elevated it with ingredients found in every Hong Kong household, like tangerine peel, Chinese almonds, and licorice root. In Chinese medicine, licorice root, or ‘sweet grass,’ is used to cool the body, and its sweet sap gives our gin a distinct character.”
The result is a London Dry-style gin with a bright, fresh nose and a crisp, clean palate. Layers of citrus, floral, and spicy notes, alongside an unusual nutty undertone, set it apart from most gins. Bottled at 45% ABV, it’s versatile enough to be enjoyed neat or in cocktails.
The story behind Two Moons’ Calamansi Gin is as intriguing as the gin itself. It began with an exceptional collaboration between Two Moons and Ping Kee Copperware, one of Hong Kong’s last remaining traditional coppersmiths. Ping Kee, renowned for their hand-hammered copperwork, crafted iconic weapons for Bruce Lee during his film career. Despite their 80-year legacy, they had never worked with distillation equipment before. Just before retiring, the two masters at Ping Kee helped Two Moons upgrade a 10-liter still, marking a symbolic and meaningful partnership.
“This project was especially significant to us because Ping Kee retired shortly after, and without any apprentices, their craft will likely fade away,” Dimple explains. “We’re honored to have worked with them and to own a piece of history. The still we created together was even exhibited during London Craft Week in 2021, celebrating the crossover of modern distillation and traditional craftsmanship.” Coincidentally, the still was picked up on January 7, mirroring the creation date of their main still, Luna, which was completed on January 7, further solidifying the special connection between the two.
As fate would have it, the idea for Calamansi Gin emerged the day the team collected their new still. After stopping for lunch in Yau Ma Tei, they were served laksa, not with the usual lime but with calamansi, a small, aromatic citrus fruit common in Southeast Asia but rare in Hong Kong. Instantly struck by its vibrant, zesty aroma, a quick search revealed that Hong Kong grows its own variety of calamansi. Inspired by this serendipitous encounter, the team decided to incorporate the fruit into their next gin. “This gin wouldn’t exist without Ping Kee,” says Dimple. “It’s a tribute to Hong Kong’s hidden talents and the craftsmanship of all the work they do.”
It has a distinct calamansi aroma—bright, fresh, and zesty. When you take a sip, the refreshing citrus flavors evolve into a subtle hint of juniper berries, finishing with a lasting taste of spruce tips, creating a complex citrus flavor profile that’s bold, balanced, and aromatic.
Two Moons’ Five Flowers Tea Gin honors Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage, drawing inspiration from the traditional “mm faa cha” or Five Flowers Herbal Tea—a cherished remedy with deep historical roots in the city. In collaboration with renowned mixologist Antonio Lai, the man behind some of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, including Quinary and Room 309, the gin was initially launched as a Limited Edition to offer comfort during the uncertain times of the pandemic. It has since grown into a broader initiative to preserve the legacy of Hong Kong’s once-thriving herbal tea shops, which in the 1950s and 1960s served as bustling social hubs, much like today’s bars and cafés.
Despite the decline in the number of herbal tea shops, this gin seeks to keep its cultural significance alive for future generations. It has a soothing herbal profile, with a fragrant nose from chrysanthemum and sweet notes giving way to honeysuckle and silk cotton on the palate.
Two Moons Distillery’s dedication to excellence has earned widespread recognition, with numerous accolades to its name. Among the most notable are a Double Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Gold Medal at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition. These awards highlight the distillery’s mastery in combining premium ingredients with precise distillation techniques, resulting in high-quality and approachable gins. Their standout product, the London Dry Gin, has particularly impressed industry experts for its balanced botanical profile.
Reflecting on their success, co-founder Ivan shared, “We were surprised and thrilled that we won. It’s a great recognition and gives us a bit more confidence and motivation to continue our journey.”
In addition to its core range, Two Moons Distillery produces limited-edition gins and collaborative projects. These small-batch releases give them the chance to experiment with different botanicals, techniques, and flavors, creating unique products that enhance their portfolio. Their latest collaboration, the Dried Ginger and Citron Gin, was made with local farmers who grew and dried their own ginger. Using locally sourced citron, they developed a refreshing gin with a bold ginger kick and bright citrus notes.
With a solid portfolio and a growing reputation, Two Moons Distillery is now focused on increasing its visibility. To help spread the word, they’ve brought on Hei Chan of Quinary as their brand ambassador. Hei will be doing guest shifts at bars across Hong Kong and Asia to showcase the versatility of Two Moons gins in cocktails. This approach allows the brand to reach more people and demonstrate how their gins can be used in different mixology settings, helping to strengthen their presence in the region’s bar scene.
Two Moons Distillery offers a straightforward distillery and gin-tasting tour, where visitors can see Luna while learning about the craft of gin-making. Led by the knowledgeable team, the tour covers the process behind their gins and shares the stories behind each product. Guests also get to taste their gin portfolio and understand the unique botanicals and distillation techniques that set Two Moons apart. It’s a great way for visitors to explore craft spirits and see what goes into each bottle.
Through these offerings, the distillery hopes to inspire others to explore the world of craft spirits and elevate their understanding of gin.
Two Moons strives to tell stories through its spirits, offering an experience that connects drinkers to the heritage and culture of the city. They represent a new wave of Hong Kong-based businesses that celebrate local craftsmanship and ingredients while pushing the boundaries of global gin culture. They highlight the unique blend of tradition and innovation that makes this distillery a must-visit for gin lovers and anyone looking to experience the spirit of Hong Kong in a refreshing way.
Two Moons Distillery is located at Unit 9A 8 Kut Shing Street. Chaiwan, Hong Kong. Schedule your visit through their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. For inquiries contact them via +85252807784 or email at [email protected].
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