Four Pillars have announced the release of the 2020 edition of the distillery’s Bloody Shiraz gin.
The gin will be hitting shelves in early July, just one month later than anticipated.
Mild conditions in Victoria teamed with high rainfall and small bunch weights of Shiraz grapes have resulted in an intensification of fruit flavours alongside “great spice, red berry and natural acidity”, says distiller Cameron Mackenzie.
Grapes have been harvested from Punt Road, Boat O’Craigo, Yering Station, Faraday Estate and growers in the Yarra Valley, Macedon Ranges and Yea Valley.
The grapes are de-stemmed and kept whole before they are steeped in Four Pillars Rare Dry gin in cool tanks.
Eight weeks later, the fruit is pressed before blended with Rare Dry gin again, resulting in an ABV of 37.8%. The gin is unfiltered and unrefined, with the flavour profile changing as it ages.
“Straight away you get pine forest notes, white pepper and spices,” says Mackenzie. “The gin is beautifully balanced with a delicious sweetness and nice tannins to finish.”
The gin is available at the Four Pillars distillery in Healesville, the new Sydney flagship location, online and at all good retailers and bars.