Yarra Valley distillery, Four Pillars’ has officially appointed Sam Ng as the brand’s first full time Ambassador.
Ng has spent the past four years working at the Black Pearl – currently ranked the 10th best bar in the world – where he started working in the back bar before being promoted to general manager.
Over his bartending career thus far, Ng has been named the Australian winner of the Olmeca Altos Tahona Society 2015, and the 2014 winner of Bombay Sapphire’s Project Botanicals. Ng has also been a Diageo World Class finalist, and a Bacardi Legacy regional finalist.
With the official title of Gin Ambassador and Bartender in Residence, Ng’s new gig will see him spreading the good word of the award-winning gin locally and abroad. To kick things off, Ng will be at the inaugural Juniperlooza Gin Festival at Pilgrim, Federation held from the 28 – 29th November.
“I love a chat, I love bartending and honestly I love Four Pillars and what the guys there are trying to achieve,” says Ng.
“This is really a great opportunity that has come exactly at the right time for me. I had the best four years of my life at Black Pearl – that joint will stay, literally, in my blood for the rest of my life but this seems the right next step, the logical next challenge.”
Four Pillars’ distiller and partner, Cam Mackenzie said that the team was thrilled to have Ng onboard.
“Sam is a legend – as a guy and a bartender and there was an immediate connection when we got talking about this role,” says Mackenzie.
“We have so much we want to share with consumers, customers, bartenders and anyone who will listen and Sam will definitely help us tell the story.”