Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin is the Yarra Valley distillery's Rare Dry Gin steeped with whole cool-climate Shiraz grapes, deep purple and naturally sweet with no added sugar, bottled at 75.6 proof (37.8% ABV).
Four Pillars is in Melbourne's Yarra Valley, beautiful cool-climate wine country, and the team would have been crazy not to take advantage of it. Back in 2015, while they were making gin out the back of their mate Rob Dolan's winery, a tiny parcel of Shiraz came in from one of the region's best vineyards. Distiller Cam Mackenzie decided to steep the grapes in Rare Dry Gin to see what would happen.
The result was alcoholic alchemy: the gin turned a magical purple and picked up sweetness straight from the ripe grapes. Now each year the distillery takes local Yarra Valley Shiraz and steeps the whole berries in high-proof gin for eight weeks before pressing. The color stays a deep, rich reddish purple, and it has become a cult favorite.
Aromatically it shows fresh pine needles, citrus and spice, with distinct peppery, dense raspberry notes. The palate is lovely and sweet, with a long juniper and spice character on the finish: the marriage of Rare Dry Gin botanicals with delicious Shiraz fruit, and no added sugar, ever.
This is gin, not sloe gin, so it packs a punch and works in a range of cocktails. Try it with tonic and an orange slice, in a Bloody Shiraz Spritz with sparkling wine, or in a Negroni.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Pine needles, citrus, spice, peppery raspberry.
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Palate: Sweet ripe Shiraz fruit, juniper.
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Finish: Long juniper and spice.
Specifications
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Distillery: Four Pillars, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
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Style: Gin steeped with Shiraz grapes
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Process: Whole Shiraz berries steeped in Rare Dry Gin for eight weeks
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Sugar: No added sugar
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Proof / ABV: 75.6 proof (37.8% ABV)
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Mix it with tonic and an orange slice, top it with sparkling wine, or stir a Negroni.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is it made?
Whole Yarra Valley Shiraz grapes steep in Rare Dry Gin for eight weeks before pressing.
Is it a sloe gin?
No, it is a full gin with no added sugar.
Why is it purple?
The color comes from the Shiraz grapes.
Explore more in our Gin collection.
