From its first release in 2015, Four Pillars have always known Bloody Shiraz Gin was something special. Stronger than sloe gin and more natural (and pre-dated) than pink gin, the special purple gin runs its own race. And over the past seven years, as more gin drinkers at home and abroad have fallen in love with it, Bloody Shiraz has transitioned from being an experimental product to a bit of an icon in its own right.
From its dark purple colour to its natural grape-y sweetness, Bloody Shiraz Gin is a happy shock to the senses. It’s citrusy and spicy. The perfect balance of sweet fruit and ginny goodness.
Made with Shiraz grapes from the Yarra Valley and surrounding cool-climate vineyards in Heathcote and Yea, Bloody Shiraz Gin on is available from 1 June.
“The 2021 vintage was a blessed relief from the heat of 2020, it’s a bloody great vintage,” Distiller and Co-Founder Cameron Mackenzie said.
“In fact, I’m gonna call it: best ever vintage. Might’ve said that last year and probably the year before. But you can definitely believe it this time. Until next year, of course.”
A limited-edition bottle will be sold via their website website and Four Pillars Healesville and Sydney’s Surry Hills.
Additionally, Made from Gin mad scientist, Matt Wilkinson has created some shiraz gin treats in the form of a Made from Gin Bloody Shiraz grape and quince paste and a Bloody Shiraz Gin Caviar.
Hundreds of kilograms of gin-soaked shiraz grape skins are left over after the gin is made, so Four Pillars combine the leftover skins with fresh shiraz grapes, quince, sugar, spices, and Bloody Shiraz Gin to make the perfect paste to enjoy with cheese. Think Maggie Beer’s quince paste with a kick.
The other addition to the Bloody Shiraz family is the gin caviar. Nick Gorman, co-owner of Yarra Valley Caviar and Wilkinson got chatting about combining Australia’s favourite purple gin with Australia’s best caviar and ended up salting and steeping first harvest Atlantic Salmon roe in Bloody Shiraz Gin for 24 hours, before the pearls were drained, tinned and gently pasteurised.
Its unique flavour, burgundy colour and visual appeal is like no other and is (they think) the world’s first gin-infused salmon caviar. The roe is best served very cold as a ‘bump’, or alongside seafood such as Pacific oysters, light white fish sashimi, or even on buttered white bread.
And now, where to get out and try it for yourself?
- Keep an eye out for in-store tastings at many of your favourite liquor stores across Australia. Details will be on Four Pillars socials.
- An evening of gin, juice and storytelling inspired by Bloody Shiraz Gin is coming to Eileen’s Bar at the Four Pillars Surry Hills Laboratory for one night only on Wednesday, 2 June: The Greatest Bloody Gin Show on earth, hosted by our co-founders Stu Gregor and Cameron Mackenzie.
- At the Four Pillars Lab in Surry Hills, Sydney there will also be offering a 60-minute Bloody Beaut of a Cocktail Masterclass focused on Bloody Shiraz Gin. During June, join our very own James Irvine, in a seasonal session which will lift your Bloody Shiraz Gin cocktail skills for winter. At the adjacent Eileen’s Bar there will also be a Bloody Shiraz menu on offer throughout June, featuring four bespoke bloody cocktails plus a special bloody Made from Gin snack.
- On Saturday, 5 and Sunday, 6 June , visit Healesville and sample Bloody Shiraz Gin drinks, mini crumpets with salmon rillettes and gin roe all weekend and join in a series of specialty 60-minute masterclasses to give you a first taste of the 2021 Bloody Shiraz Gin, plus plenty more Bloody Shiraz Gin drinks and Made from Gin snacks.
- At other venues in June, the entire Rooftop at QT Melbourne will be a deeper shade of purple with special bloody menus and plenty more fun on offer at QT venues around Australia, at the Paddo Inn and in the soon-to-be-launched Aria Wine Room space. In July, we’ll also be partnering with Thornbury Picture House and Golden Age Cinema for a bloody themed Gin + Film Festival. More details to come.
Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin will be available for purchase from 1 June 2021 from www.fourpillarsgin.com, at the Four Pillars Distillery, Healesville and Four Pillars Lab, Surry Hills and from all good bottle shops. RRP $85.00. 700mL. ABV 37.8%.
Our 2021 limited edition label will be available from www.fourpillarsgin.com, at the Four Pillars Distillery, Healesville, Vic and Four Pillars Lab, Surry Hills, Sydney only.
