In a quiet downtown courtyard in New Doornfontein, two blocks from fashionable Maboneng, Shanna-Rae Wilby and Warrick Brown are busy conjuring up a new and unique range of craft gins and rums under their own brand Time Anchor, at what is Joburg's first downtown craft distillery.

Perfecting the right proportions of botanicals to be added to produce gin is a fine science as each ingredient can mask or enhance another depending on the proportions used. Essential to every gin is juniper berry. Time Anchor also uses coriander seeds and angelica root as a base for their London Dry Gin and for the amber-rose coloured 'new world gin' Livingstone dried orange peel, rooibos, rose geranium (a flowering shrub which smells just like Turkish delight) and a touch of honey are also added. The pair also make their own craft rum and a range of limited edition spirits such as 'gincello' sold under the exclusive label Time Anchor Alchemy Trials.

The Time Anchor production facility is still located in their original home in Maboneng but walk-ins aren't accommodated here. Tastings, tours, and collections now take place at their new location in Sandton. Visit their website for updated information on their events.

Time Anchor spirits are also available at leading fine spirits and wine merchants such as Norman Goodfellows.