Virtually everything is virtual now…so while not sip gin in your jim jams?
These guys are at it again!
The Hidden DeTours crew visited all the best Perth gin distilleries on the weekend and spoke to the owners, distillers and managers making this very in-vogue tipple.
Did you know there were so many gin distilleries in Perth?
Stop 1 – an awesome start to the ISO Gin Tour with the gin master James from Old Young's as we talk all things gin – from a quick history of gin, to the best tonics and garnishes to use with this tasty drop. James enticed us with his mystery gin without letting the cat out of the bag, and then chatted to us about his awesome range of featured gins:* 1829* Six Seasons* Common Gin
Distiller James Young was on fire and covered so much amazing GINformation our heads nearly exploded.
This gorgeous venue in the heart of the Swan Valley makes some GINspired gins (and also some bloody great vodkas) and is still trading at the moment (albeit without tastings) so you can go have a look and a chat and pick up some winner gins.
You can also order online, and find the Old Young’s range at all good bottlos.
Still not sure what the mystery gin is though…we’ll have to stay tuned.
The next stop in this virtual gin tour is a quick visit to Harris Organic (the only organic winery in the Swan Valley) who make some spirits as well – including an organic gin.
Distiller Duncan explains his gin (which you can buy here or at the cellar door) and then you jump back on the bus with Monique for a trip down Great Northern Highway to the Swan Valley Gin Co.
Stop 2 on the ISO Gin Tour we visited two distilleries in a row! We had a brief chat with owner Duncan at Harris Organic Spirits and found out about his organic wine, brandy, gin and even hand sanitiser. ?We then tootled along Great Northern Highway in the bus to the gorgeous team at Swan Valley Gin Company and Pandemonium Estate. We were greeted in the vines by Nicola, as we strolled and yarned up to the front door where we met with owners Martin and Loraine having a cheeky libation. We found out more about the history of the company and then ventured into the distillery and chatted about gin making with Jordan, one of the distillers. It was then over to the Gintoneria to chat to Nicola about their amazing grappa, limoncello and their featured gins:* Artisan Dry Gin* Saffron and Chilli Gin
We meet Nicola among the vines, who walks the ‘tour’ to chat with owners Martin and Loraine, GINjoying a bevvy in the sun. Next up is Jordan (the distiller) who talks us through the process and then back to Nicola at the tasting table where she describes the feature gins in more detail.
Thirsty? Stop by the distillery, they have a drive through set up, or shop the gins online here.
Stop 4 on the ISO Gin Tour we ducked in to the amazing Swan Settlers Market to visit the fab husband and wife team behind Sin Gin. ?On our Gin Distillery Bus Tours we normally visit their The Murray Hotel West Perth, Australia tasting venue, so this was a real treat to take guests on this virtual tour experience to their Swan Vally tasting room. We were greeted by Kate who gave us the goss on the history of the Swan Settlers Market and then invited us inside to the distillery to chat with Mark the head distiller. He chatted to us about their exciting range of gins based on the seven deadly sins. Mark then took us through a guided tasting of the following featured gins:* Greed* Gluttony* WrathAnd we heard more about about their tasty Perth Pink gin and the Scandanavian spirit – Aquavit.
Sin Gin have a colourful range of gins corresponding to each deadly sin, plus a Perth Pink gin, their Australian Dry gin and an Aquavit. You can pick some up here for sinful shenaGINs.
Stop 5 on our ISO Gin Tour we took a true hidden detour to an industrial area in Welshpool to chat to Mike from High Spirits Distillery. We were invited inside to check out their still and see where the magic happens. Mike took us through their gin philosophy and how they are the only disitllery in Australia making gin and vodka from a 100% bio-dynamic grain called 'triticale'. As a former chef he passionatley shared with us some of the micro batch experimental spirits they have previously made and then went into more detail about his featured gins:* Dry Gin * Karst Thai GinWe also had some cheeky comments from Pete who works alongside Mike in the distillery too! ?
Mike and Pete make a range of GINuinely great gins (and some awesome vodkas) which are all based in their triticale grain. You can shop the gin here or in good bottleshops.
They also do some sneaky releases so you best sign up to their VIP list to be GIN the know.
At the last stop we meet distiller Wade at Wandering Distillery, where they were just getting ready to open their cellar door when the COVID took over.
Stop 6 on the ISO Gin Tour we headed South to O'Connor and chatted with the fabulous Wade from Wandering Distillery. They have not long be open after Wade and his wife ventured back to Perth from over east. We were privlleged to be invited to have a sneak peak at his distillery and hear more about his tasty featured gins before opening to the public:* Wandering Distillery Signature Gin* Naval Gazing (Navy Strength)* Wandering Star
