a brilliant gin

[Ken Gargett]

this is one for aussies only as i do not think it is exported (though they have won gongs in the san fran competition so there might be some that way).

four pillars is an op run by a couple of mates. they kicked off with a terrific gin and have recently branched out to include a 'navy strength' and 'barrel aged'. the barrel aged is done in tiny quantities from a solera. the third bottling from the solera is about to hit the shelves - or try the website www.fourpillarsgin.com.au.

granted it is hardly gin clear - dirty brown is closer - but it is a stunning gin. just love it. i originally got a bottle for review purposes but have immediately ordered a few more.

the guys suggest trying with an ice cube and a drop of honey. i thought they had been spending too much time with uncle doug but it really works.

i think around $95 aussie so not cheap but worth every cent.

[Jeremy Festa]

Love Four Pillars. Had the Wilma still bottle a number of times.

Will be on the lookout for the new offerings!

Cheers

[in0gravity]

Agree with the above it is a brilliant gin. I managed to get two bottles of the rare dry gin from them directly. Stunning absolutely stunning. It's a shame that they don't export to Germany.

regards

Lars

[Ken Gargett]

Agree with the above it is a brilliant gin. I managed to get two bottles of the rare dry gin from them directly. Stunning absolutely stunning. It's a shame that they don't export to Germany.

regards

Lars

quantities so limited. makes it hard to export.

also, i think everything goes through wilma.

they are moving to a new distillery very soon, from borrowing the corner of a winery, so perhaps production will expand.

i still have a little left from one of the bottles i got from the very first release.

[Guest rob]

I agree, KG - I thinks it's beaut.

The Navy Strength is a giant killer!

I'll keep an eye out for the solera bottling with anticipation.

[tmac77]

Sounds like a very nice Gin there Ken. Hope your mates do well and it makes its way over here some time. Being a gin drinker myself since I was a yun'n I have tried many. Interesting that you mention that some put a drop of honey in their drinks as one of my all time favorite Gins actually uses honey in their process. It is a small craft gin maker called Barr Hill Gin out of Vermont, USA and the honey adds a unique sweetness that complements the other botanicals nicely. When you think about it it does make sense though. Botanicals and bees are reliant upon each other in nature so why not in a gin.

[Joker]

I don't drink gin that often, and when I do it is usually a G&T (prefer scotch or rum)

However whilst having a pre dinner GT at a local restaurant, the barman mentioned that he likes drinking gin neat

I stated that I have always had gin with mixer, as I could not stomach gins neat

He then offered me a shot of MGC (Melbourne Gin Company) gin, which I must say was very smooth and refreshing

I was pleasantly surprised

Ken, have you tried MGC and if so how does it compare to Four Pillars?

Cheers

[polarbear]

Been chewing through Four Pillars of late.

It's been great gin weather up north and despite the 12 (or so) different gins I have on hand I keep reaching for Four Pillars.

I'm especially fond of their Gun Powder Strength release and am into my 3rd bottle this year.

Haven't had the chance to try the Barrel Aged but plan to order a bottle when money permits.

An exceptional Aussie gin

[Ken Gargett]

Been chewing through Four Pillars of late.

It's been great gin weather up north and despite the 12 (or so) different gins I have on hand I keep reaching for Four Pillars.

I'm especially fond of their Gun Powder Strength release and am into my 3rd bottle this year.

Haven't had the chance to try the Barrel Aged but plan to order a bottle when money permits.

An exceptional Aussie gin

not yet but have heard lots of good things and certainly keen.

[polarbear]

Slightly off topic, but is it just me or is the range and quality of Australian made gins improved by leaps and bounds these last 5 years?

MGC, Kangaroo Island, Copper Pot, West Winds, Four Pillars, Botanist all exceptional and all Australian

[Ken Gargett]

the craft distillers, gin and others, largely followed on from the craft beer movement of a decade or so ago. a lot of these new guys are inspired by the craft distilleries from the states, especially the west coast. i know the guys behind four pillars spent a couple of weeks up and down the west coast visiting as many as they could.

we've seen an earlier push into whiskey and vodka, vodka more in nz than here, and others are following.

a good thing.

[Surucipe]

..., Botanist all exceptional and all Australian

I think The Botanist is a Scottish Gin from Islay, but indeed exceptional quality.

[polarbear]

I think The Botanist is a Scottish Gin from Islay, but indeed exceptional quality.

After a quick Google search, it would seem you are right.

Guess the bar tender at my local needs to learn to read the bottles better

[tmac77]

the craft distillers, gin and others, largely followed on from the craft beer movement of a decade or so ago. a lot of these new guys are inspired by the craft distilleries from the states, especially the west coast. i know the guys behind four pillars spent a couple of weeks up and down the west coast visiting as many as they could.

we've seen an earlier push into whiskey and vodka, vodka more in nz than here, and others are following.

a good thing.

West coast US does have quite a few craft distilleries. A Gin out of Oregon called Ransom 'Old Tom' is one of the standouts from that neck of the woods.

[JohnS]

Slightly off topic, but is it just me or is the range and quality of Australian made gins improved by leaps and bounds these last 5 years?

MGC, Kangaroo Island, Copper Pot, West Winds, Four Pillars, Botanist all exceptional and all Australian

I definitely think you're right on the mark here, PB. A few Australian distilleries have marketed their offerings well by making them 'boutique' and thus stand out from the big name gins we all know.

http://www.thewestwindsgin.com/announcements/australias-gin-revolution-led-by-boutique-distilleries

[Lotusguy]

No gin is worth $100 to me, sorry. Even Monkey 47, best gin ever created, is really pushing it for me at ~60/bottle (German price). Grain alcohol and botanicals., that's it.

[polarbear]

No gin is worth $100 to me, sorry. Even Monkey 47, best gin ever created, is really pushing it for me at ~60/bottle (German price). Grain alcohol and botanicals., that's it.

Don't travel Down Under

A decent bottle of any spirit usually starts at the $80-$100 mark

Monkey 47 retails for $85 a bottle here at best

[Lotusguy]

Don't travel Down Under

A decent bottle of any spirit usually starts at the $80-$100 mark

Monkey 47 retails for $85 a bottle here at best

Holy €£%!

In that case...

[Sophistic]

Gin & Tonic Craze in Europe right now, every month probably dozens of new gins enter the market. +1 for the monkey 47, best gin neat, not that great with tonic. best gins for g&t: martin millers westbourne & hendricks.

[polarbear]

Gin & Tonic Craze in Europe right now, every month probably dozens of new gins enter the market. +1 for the monkey 47, best gin neat, not that great with tonic. best gins for g&t: martin millers westbourne & hendricks.

I really dig Monkey 47 and tonic with ruby grape fruit.

Not a fan if Hendricks cause I don't like cucumber

[tmac77]

I drink three ways neat, in a very dry martini or with club soda and not tonic. I find the tonic too sweet and hides the depth of flavours of a good gin

[Sophistic]

Try fentimans light, not much sugar, no artificial sweetener, tastes great.