Australian gin distillery, Four Pillars, has unveiled the second iteration of its ultra-rare Whisky Barrel Gin, in collaboration with Kentucky-based Four Roses Distillery in the US.
Aged for nine years in former chardonnay barrels before finishing in ex-Bourbon barrels gifted by Four Roses Distillery, the release is exceptionally limited, with only 2000 bottles available from this Thursday, 26 June.
Bottled at 56.8% ABV, this gin delivers bright juniper and citrus, layered with rich notes of caramel, brown sugar, and warm oak spice. The palate is creamy and full-bodied, with subtle hints of dried fruit, vanilla, and toasted wood, finishing with a beautifully balanced sweetness and spice.
Four Pillars head distiller, Sarah Prowse, said its signature Rare Dry Gin is distilled and then diluted to barrel strength and aged it for 9 years (sometimes more) in a solera system of chardonnay barrels at Healesville. It is then transferred to the bourbon barrels.
“The gin spent a further two years maturing in the American oak barrels, extracting caramel and vanilla notes, and Four Roses’ signature mellow spice, while imparting a bright honey colour.
“Four Pillars Whisky Barrel Gin joins the barrel-aged series of gins that takes Four Pillars’ love for ageing spirits and elevates it, taking barrels from some of the world’s best distilleries to impart rich flavour and colour,” Prowse said.
Four Pillars has long embraced the art of barrel-ageing, carefully reserving a handful of standout casks each year since their 2013 launch. This latest Whisky Barrel Gin joins the distillery’s growing family of aged expressions, including Chardonnay Barrel Gin and Sherry Cask Gin.
“I love how different oak plays a part in imparting unique ageing characteristics on these gins – sherry, chardonnay and now bourbon – this one definitely has lashings of southern charm.
“All three are incredibly smooth drinking over ice, though you might want to add a splash of water to open them up even more for easy sipping.
“Our last barrel-aged gin was made with our friends from LARK Distillery in Tassie, and now this Bourbon Cask, that will appeal to Australians as well as our friends overseas,” she said.
All gins are made for sipping over ice but can also be used to build classic cocktails such as a London Calling for Sherry Cask Gin, an Old Fashioned with Chardonnay Barrel Gin and, of course, a classic bourbon cocktail, the Sazerac, for this latest Whisky Barrel Gin.
Whisky Barrel Gin is available to buy from the Four Pillars website, Four Pillars Distillery, Four Pillars Lab as well as Heinemann & Lotte Duty Free stores across Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane airports. The gin will also be available to purchase in select stores in the US.
Four Pillars Whisky Barrel Gin RRP $175, Four Pillars Chardonnay Barrel Gin RRP$80, Four Pillars Sherry Cask Gin RRP$80
Available from 26 June, but stock is extremely limited.
