Four Pillars Gin is set to release the sixth vintage of its sweet and spicy Bloody Shiraz Gin, and we are more than ready for it.

The gin usually arrives in time for a tipple on World Gin Day, however, this year, it’s been delayed by a month. Considering the world is currently experiencing an unprecedented pandemic, we’re going to let it slide this time.

Four Pillars Gin co-founder and head distiller Cameron Mackenzie admits that 2020 was certainly an unusual vintage. While half the country was on fire, the Yarra Valley managed to escape the inferno with mild conditions and high rainfall, which kept the region cool and green. The result is a fruity tipple, with intensified fruit and berry flavours, which are balanced with juniper and pepperberry spice, star anise and cassia bark.

“Straight away you get pine forest notes, white pepper and spices,” Mackenzie said.  “The gin is beautifully balanced with a delicious sweetness and nice tannins to finish.”

To create the crimson tipple, local Shiraz fruit is de-stemmed and steeped whole in Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin for an eight-week period. The fruit is then pressed, and blended with the gin again, then bottled without filtration or refinement.

Subscribers to Four Pillars Gin will have access to a special limited edition bottle illustrated by Melbourne artist Ellen Porteus (pictured above), while all other purchasers will receive the classic Bloody Shiraz bottle (pictured below).

The Bloody Shiraz Gin 2020 is priced at $85 for a 700ml bottle. It is available to purchase from the Four Pillars Gin distillery in Healesville, the gin lab in Sydney and fourpillarsgin.com from July 4, 2020. For subscribers, the gin is currently available to pre-order, with a limit of four bottles per person.

Related drinks news: The Four Pillars Gin Lab has opened in Surry Hills

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