The Gin Queen, Caroline Childerley, and well-known writer Inoka Ho have joined forces to launch The Ginporium, an online gin store with a difference.
With so many gins and gin styles available it can be daunting for consumers to know exactly what to pick and to be sure they are buying a gin they will like. To combat this issue The Ginporium features a personal gin concierge, which guides consumers to the right gin.
Childerley said: “Inoka and I have 14 years’ experience in the industry between us and are asked regularly for recommendations on the best gin and tonics to try.
“There are hundreds of gins on the market now and we recognise that consumers can often be overwhelmed with choice.”
Ho added: “After several martinis, we came up with the Gin Concierge concept. The user is asked a series of questions and we use those answers to formulate personalised recommendations as to what gins would suit their palate.”
With Childerley based in Victoria, she told National Liquor News, that while the store is already proving popular, there have been some challenges for the pair.
“Having thought we were slightly crazy launching a new business during a pandemic, particularly as the two of us are in separate states and can’t even get a shot of us together,” she told NLN.
“However, Inoka and I have been overwhelmed by the positive response from customers, as well as brands. We’ve hit our projections faster than we planned after only four weeks.”
Both the store and the gin concierge are proving popular, with many positive reviews already.
Julie said: “With the enormous range of gins on the market these days it’s hard to know what to buy. The Gin Concierge took away the guess work.”
Deb W, was also impressed, saying: “Love the recommendation from the Gin Concierge, a gin new to me and delivered so promptly with a handwritten note. Perfect selection.”
The Ginporium is the latest lockdown project for Childerley, who earlier this year catalogued 500 Australian gins that are now available, although that number has increased to 600 since May.