Review #: 401
Description: Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin
Spirit: Gin
Background: I’ve got quite the gin backlog and this one has intrigued me since I got it. Four Pillars is out of Australia and for this they take high proof gin and steep Shiraz grapes from the Yarra Valley in it for 8 weeks. The result is color and flavor extracted from the grapes and into the spirit. The other botanicals used are juniper, pepperberry, coriander, green cardamom, cassia, star anise, lavender, angelica, lemon myrtle and orange.
Distillery – Four Pillars
Bottler – Four Pillars
Brand – Four Pillars
Selection – N/A
ABV – 37.5%
Age – Unaged
Nose – This just smells like a straight up cocktail. Lemon, pine needles, sweet grape, peppery, molasses, dates, lots of the earthy and savory herbs come through in the very back. Sweet but nicely balanced.
Taste – Quite sweet. Dark raisin, lemon zest, lavender, rosemary, nutmeg, thyme
Finish – More molasses and raisin. Almost a coffee-like roasted quality to it, a little hint of lemon, cinnamon, and juniper linger but pretty short finish.
Score: 6
Would I buy a bottle? Yes
Thoughts: If you go into this more as a bottled cocktail, you will love this. Despite the low proof, there is a lot of depth with this. There’s a great mouthfeel and sweetness with it, but Four Pillars are adamant about no added sugar, meaning it all comes from the grapes. I’m highly impressed with their ability to manage that interaction and keep it balanced. Fill a cup up with ice and this, top with some soda water and some mint, and you’ve got the perfect poolside cocktail.