Our second Gin Club selection of the year comes to us all the way from Southern Australia. Four Pillars Distillery is situated in the Yarra Valley, a region known for its vineyards and wineries. In 2013, three friends decided to leave the wine world behind and venture into making gin. Together, they started Four Pillars Distillery, which has for two years in a row (2019 and 2020) been named Top International Gin Producer at The International Wine and Spirits Competition in London, UK. The moment I tasted their Olive Leaf Gin, I was wowed by its uniqueness and complexity. Savory and bright, this is a gin that is simultaneously modern and classic. For the Dirty Martini drinker this is a real treat. It also makes a great Gin and Tonic garnished with lemon and rosemary. I hope you enjoy it!
Cheers!
Sam Crocker
Resident Ginthusiast
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Four Pillars Distillery Olive Leaf Gin |
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Healesville, Australia |
Inspired by a visit to an olive oil producer during harvest season, the distillers set out to create a gin that incorporated olive oil as a botanical. The gin begins as a base spirit of Australian wheat that is distilled on three copper pot stills named Wilma, Jude and Beth. (Jude and Beth are powered by solar panels atop the distillery roof!) Fresh botanicals are vapor-infused for several hours while the remaining botanicals are macerated. The majority of the botanicals are sourced from Australia, with the exception of juniper from Macedonia and orris root from Morocco. The gin is brought down to proof with locally sourced water and bottled at 43.8% ABV. Tasting Notes: On the nose, high-toned citrus mingles with mediterranean herbs. The palate offers a silky smooth texture with the savory elements of the gin coming to the fore. The classic gin botanicals of juniper, coriander, and orris root, while subtle, remind us that this is a gin firmly rooted in tradition. Bright citrus lingers on the finish along with a faint salinity. Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin is particularly well suited to a classic martini (with olives or a twist), or a Spanish-style gin and tonic with your pick of garnishes: rosemary, lemon, or olives, to name a few. See below for recipes. |
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Distiller: Cameron Mackenzie |
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$38/bottle |
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Botanicals: Olive leaf, lemon, bay leaf, olive oil, macadamia nut, rosemary, grapefruit, juniper, lemon myrtle, coriander, lavender, orris root |
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Cocktails featuring Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin
“The World’s Best Martini”
Ingredients:
2 oz Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin
1 oz dry vermouth
Method:
Measure ingredients into a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until well chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with olives and/or lemon peel.
Gibson
Ingredients:
2 ⅓ oz Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin
⅓ oz dry vermouth
⅓ oz fino sherry
Method:
Measure ingredients in a mixing glass (add a little onion brine if you like) and add ice. Stir until well chilled and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a cocktail onion and serve with a side dish of Sicilian olives.
Gintonic
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin
3-4 oz good tonic water (we like Fever Tree Mediterranean)
Method:
Fill a large goblet with ice. Pour in gin and tonic and garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of rosemary.
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