Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (70cl, 41.8%)

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin is made in a small distillery in Yarra Valley, Australia. Everything the Four Pillars distillers make is based around their four pillars – the still, the water, the botanicals and love. It’s sort of a bit like the four elements of hip hop.

Pillar 1 – The Four Pillars copper-pot still is called Wilma. Pillar 2 – The water they use from Yarra Valley is triple filtered. Pillar 3 – They use some local botanicals (Tasmanian pepperberry, lemon myrtle), some exotic botanicals (cinnamon, cardamom, coriander seeds and star anise) and some classic botanicals (juniper, lavender, angelica root), as well as whole oranges to give Four Pillars Gin its flavour profile. Pillar 4 – The distillers love what they do and love what they have made. It all adds up to a vibrant Australian gin which stands out in cocktails, but tastes just superb neat.

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin is a rare specimen indeed. It is distilled with whole oranges.

Further, Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin establishes itself as quintessentially Australian with its use of some local ingredients. Tasmanian Pepperberry (also appears in Botanic Australis and Never Never’s Southern Strength) adds a warmth and spice. Again, lemon myrtle makes an appearance as a stand in for traditional lemon.

The rest of the botanicals includes several contemporary style gin standbys, like cardamom and lavender. All are distilled on a base of local grain spirit and diluted with local Yarra Valley water.

Tasting Notes

The aroma was enticing with a slight “Asian cooking” sort of feel to it. Sweet Vietnamese Cinnamon combined with pink peppercorns and Mineola orange. Juniper is mild and light. The other botanicals are the stars.

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin has a luscious mouthfeel. Sipped on its own, it has an appealing texture. Early, makrut lime peel, with rich fleshy oranges and a gentle baking spice accord. Juniper is more prominent on the back and finish. It has peppery facets with mark the finish with a sharp left towards spice-forward.

Overall, Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin is one of those gins that takes the sipper on a journey from botanical to botanical. On its own, it has a lot of character worth exploring.

Cocktails

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin can be a more difficult mixer. The complex flavor profiles lend itself more readily to gin-forward drinks and cocktails in the spirit of the Martini. That being said, the character complements Vermouth brilliantly, making Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin a great choice for the Martinez or Negroni as well.

Overall, Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin

Fans of contemporary style gins who can forgive the paltry presence of juniper here will find a lot to like. Beautifully made with a lot of bright, clear botanical character. The evolution on the palate is clear and gradual. Four Pillars Distillery have made an ideal sipping gin.

Those who prefer a more juniper-forward offering or who aren’t big on citrus/spice forward contemporary gins are advised to look elsewhere.