Four Pillars has released its Whisky Barrel Gin in collaboration with Lark Distillery, the first in a series of limited-edition gins aged in whisky barrels.
Four Pillars Co-Founder and Distiller Cameron Mackenzie has been experimenting with barrel aged gin since the distillery began in 2013 and has set aside a handful of high quality barrels for future projects. This first release comprises only 2000 bottles and has been five years in the making, beginning with aging Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin in Sherry and Apera barrels.
Following conversations with Lark’s Head Distiller Chris Thomson and a longstanding friendship with Founders Bill and Lyn Lark, Four Pillars received a number of barrels from Lark in mid-2022. The Rare Dry Gin, which had been ageing in the Sherry and Apera barrels for about four years, was transferred into the Lark whisky barrels at the beginning of 2023 for a further six months of maturation.
“Bill and Lyn Lark are true pioneers of craft spirits in Australia and among the first people we spoke to about our gin dreams, so it is such an honour to team up and create something that blends our worlds together,” Mackenzie said.
“It’s an exceptional gin finished in exceptional barrels and I can’t wait to get it out there, and share it with our friends here in Australia and overseas too.”
Whisky Barrel Gin won the highest accolade, a Master, at the World Gin Masters 2023, with the judges noting flavours of rich Sherry, coffee cake, and vanilla, with soft vanilla notes. It is bottled at cask strength of 56.8 per cent ABV, and available for purchase from Heinemann, the Four Pillars website, Healesville Distillery, and Surry Hills Gin Laboratory.