Set your reminders now for the eagerly awaited release of the 2019 Bloody Shiraz Gin – a delectably clever concoction of shiraz grapes and Four Pillars’ signature Rare Dry Gin. The 2019 edition of Australia’s only yearly release spirit is a cracker, thanks to a stellar season of spring rain and dry conditions for Victorian cool-climate shiraz grapes. Grapes were sourced from the Yarra Valley, Yea Valley and Southern Bendigo, with some harvested early for spice and red berry characters, and some later in the season for colour, sweetness and darker fruit flavours. Combined with a modern Aussie gin boasting spice and citrus, the result is a perfectly balanced spirit ideal to enjoy in a cocktail, with ruby grapefruit juice and Champagne, or a simple dash of bitter lemon tonic.

Bloody Shiraz Gin first made its debut on World Gin Day 2015, when 250 kg of whole shiraz grapes were steeped in high-proof Rare Dry Gin for eight weeks, before being pressed and blended with more gin. The unique purple liquid was hawked in an unlabelled bottle and sold out in a matter of days. The following year, it was officially named and labelled, and by 2017 bottles were being exported around the world. The unfiltered Bloody Shiraz Gin has no artificial colours or added sugar, with pine forest juniper notes, followed by white pepper, dark berries and spices. Subscribe to the distillery’s mailing list to be notified of the limited-edition release, keep watch on the online store on June 1 or pop in to Four Pillars Queensland stockists.