Four Pillars changed the game when it came to gin and how it should be enjoyed. Since opening their Yarra Valley distillery in 2013, Four Pillars became a destination in a wine-drenched region, occupying a small corner in most liquor collections. The Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin is the newest release. If the reception is to be anything like the Bloody Shiraz release, then it’s sure to be a fast favourite in Melbourne and beyond. When our delivery arrived at the start of the week, we didn’t wait until 5pm to pour a drink… And we want to share our Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin review with our Around Melbourne community.
Initial thoughts on the Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin
Four Pillars has nailed its sophisticated and simplistic branding, and so the olive green label was exciting to receive and complemented our growing Four Pillars collection very well. When opening the bottle, there is an undeniable olive oil smell, although it was not as over-powering as we thought it would be. Four Pillars is known for their botanicals, and in 2019 they began to flirt with the idea of olive oil being one of their botanical. We can attribute this to the smooth and subtle flavour of the Olive Leaf gin we now get to enjoy. It’s Mediterranean influence also comes through in the fresh flavour, which may appeal to those who don’t drink gin in Spring because they find it heavier than a Spritz or Prosecco.
What to drink it with?
If you’ve visited Four Pillars before for a tasting in their fabulous copper distillery – you’ll know they take botanicals seriously. Unlike unimaginative liquor brands, Four Pillars don’t send you on your way to figure out the best balance and blend. Four Pillars says the best way to enjoy the Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin is as follows:
Stir 60mL gin, 10mL dry vermouth and 10mL dry sherry over ice. Strain into a super cold glass and garnish with a couple of cocktail onions.
Haven’t enjoyed a martini in the past? This might be a nice entry-level martini with it’s subtle and fresh flavour bringing you back for more. When trying the above recipe, we had it with tonic, lemon and rosemary. This concoction is very delicious and perhaps a bit easier to put together than the flourish of a martini. The botanicals used are juniper, coriander seed, olive leaf, rosemary, evoo, lemon myrtle, fresh lemon, macadamia, bay leaf and grapefruit. If you want to create your own drink – let these base botanicals guide your selection.
Image owned by Four Pillars
The origin of Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin?
If you have tried the Four Pillars Cousin Vera’s Gin that was released in 2015 as a joint venture with Madrid distillery, Santamania, then the Olive Leaf Gin might taste a little familiar. Or at least its origin will. This was Four Pillars spin on a savoury, Medettarian-style gin, sparking curiosity in bringing gin and olives together. This time the partnership and complementary ingredients are closer to home, with globally-acclaimed Cobram Estate extra virgin olive oil used. Cobram Estate is located in Victoria, and they are on a mission to be the world’s best virgin olive oil provider. This Cobram Estate site is home to a state of the art olive nursery and harvesting technology.
With reputations like Four Pillars and Cobram Estate behind this gin, it’s likely to be a permanent fixture in Spring. In fact, despite the Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin only recently released, it has already won gold at the 2020 World Spirits Competition held in San Fransisco. As Australia heads into Spring, we can’t wait to see how gin competes with typical spring cocktail classics.
Are you going to try the Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin? We’d love to hear what you think and how you are drinking it. If gin isn’t quite your drink, be sure to read our blog on setting up a home brewery. We look forward to seeing what creations you come out with this Spring!
