Archie Rose Distilling C. has collaborated with the Sydney Opera House to create a two-act gin release launching on October 1, 2019.
Named Outside Gin and Inside Gin this twin release will bring to life the timeless architectural splendour and natural surrounds of the Sydney Opera House, alongside the creative energy and artistic talent experienced on its stages.
The new gins will be showcased at the Sydney Opera House’s bars and restaurants with curated Outside and Inside Gin cocktails served at Opera Kitchen and Portside Sydney. The gins will also be stocked in the Opera House’s award-winning Bennelong Restaurant and nearby Circular Quay and city venues.
The collaboration will then be celebrated with a launch party on October 20, the icon’s 46th birthday.
“Archie Rose was born from a deep love of Sydney and Australia, as well as a desire to honour the city and nation’s rich spirit-making past and shape its future,” said Archie Rose founder Will Edwards. “So to collaborate with and draw inspiration from the Sydney Opera House to continue to build on Sydney’s history and celebrate its contemporary culture is absolutely incredible, and has been a goal of ours literally since launching the distillery back in 2015.”
Sydney Opera House Director of Visitor Experience Jade McKellar said: “Across its world-famous stages and distinctive harbour side restaurants and bars, the Opera House celebrates excellence in performance, art, music and, of course, the best in Australian produce.”
“The Opera House and Archie Rose share a passion for innovation and creativity and a uniquely Sydney spirit. Outside and Inside Gin perfectly capture the dynamism and drama of the Opera House’s performances, and the crisp natural environment of our home in Sydney Harbour. There’s no better way to experience this gin than with a cocktail at the Opera House itself!”
Each of the gins use individually distilled botanicals inspired by the Opera House’s harbour setting, architecture, creativity and global culture.
“It was pretty daunting to capture and adequately pay tribute to the outside and inside of the Opera House in a bottle, but it was a challenge we were really excited to take on” said Archie Rose Master Distiller, Dave Withers.
Act one, Outside Gin is inspired by the Sydney Opera House’s coastal setting and Utzon’s design principles, juxtaposing nature against man-made elements. Framed by the sparkling Sydney Harbour, this architectural wonder balances nature with a magnificent geometric form serving as the inspiration for Outside Gin, a juniper forward gin accented with lemon-scented gum, South Australian yuzu, finger limes, white grapefruit, locally foraged seablite and native seaweed.
“We wanted to create a tension between saltiness and sweetness, balanced with citrus,” said Withers.
“This is a modern classic gin, perfectly served with Capi Dry Tonic and strawberries to bring out the oils and enjoyed overlooking the ocean or Sydney Opera House itself,” says Archie Rose Head of Hospitality, Harriet Leigh.
Act two, Inside Gin celebrates the extraordinary creativity that comes to life daily under the Opera House sails – a place where global cultures and art forms collide. The concept behind this spirit was to create the dynamism you would experience in a play, concert or celebration. This fruit-driven gin displays a bright positive summery character and presents a cast of botanicals including native thyme, Australian apricot, raspberry and strawberry gum.
“A contemporary gin, simply served with Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic and pear is how I would enjoy this,” said Leigh.
