We may have just discovered the ultimate spirit for those with a fervour for all things Christmas. A silly season gin is here, crafted by one of the country’s best distilleries. That’s right, the famed Four Pillars Australian Christmas Gin has returned for its fourth year.

The drop was first inspired by the late mum of Four Pillars co-founder and distiller Cam Mackenzie. Each year Wilma would make her Christmas puddings on Victoria Derby Day. In 2016, inspired by his mum, Mackenzie made Christmas puddings using the same recipe and (on Derby Day) distilled them with a base of juniper, cinnamon, star anise, coriander, and Angelica over the top. The resulting Christmas-laden alcoholic concoction was aptly dubbed the Four Pillars Australian Christmas Gin.

The limited-edition drink is released each year with a new label, designed by a different artist. In 2016 the bottle was crafted by Jade Suine and 2017’s Darren Song and 2018’s was made by Melbourne’s Stephen Baker who depicted a stereotypical slice of the summery Australian Christmas on his design.

For this year’s bottle, the distillery has enlisted the help of artist Tim Summerton, from New South Wales’ Southern Highlands, and depicts Illawarra Flame Trees (this year’s label is aptly named Flame Trees) in full bloom – a sign Christmas is coming.

Four Pillars Australian Christmas Gin will be available for $100 per bottle, from November 2, until sold out. You can purchase it online, direct from the distillery, and from selected retailers.