Distillery Botanica founder and distiller, Philip Moore, was inducted into the Gin Magazine Hall of Fame last week, the only Australian to be awarded the honour.
Moore’s achievement was announced at the international bi-monthly magazine’s Annual Gin Awards.
The Gin Magazine Awards commend the brightest people, places and products in the world of gin.
Moore is the first and only Australian distiller to be in the Hall of fame – the highest honour awarded by Gin Magazine.
After 20 years as founding manager of leading wholesale nursery Renaissance Herbe, Moore, a keen wine collector and “analytical and hedonistic consumer of all things alcohol” felt a sea change was in order and bought a nursery site, The Fragrant Gardens, at Erina in 2005.
“In 2006, there were about 2,500 wineries in Australia and possibly 15 distilleries,” he said.
“I liked the sound of being one in 16 distilleries, rather than one in 2,500 wineries.
“Being recognised by winning a Double Gold and Herbal Liqueur of the year in Germany in 2008 with a score of 95/100 for my Aniseed Myrtle Liqueur was a testament to my own belief that we can stand up on the global stage.”
This award was followed by others for Lemon Myrtle Liqueur and Mr Black, but Moore said none was more satisfying than being the first Australian gin to win a Gold at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in 2017 for his Dry Gin.
“I always had confidence in making nice drinks but did not know the general public would respond so well,” he said.
“(This latest accolade) came out of left field – none of us had this on our radar as we have not entered any spirit competitions in a few years so to be recognised on a global level was an amazing surprise.
“It’s a great honour, especially alongside such luminaries such as Desmon Payne (Plymouth Gin & Beefeater) whom I have visited in the UK and have a huge amount of respect for.”
With a permanent staff of five and 13 casuals, Distillery Botanica is very much a family enterprise.
“Most people we have here are friends of my extended family,” Moore said.
“We also have another local family that work here with the Mum, Dad and up to four of their children working in admin, bottling and producing Mr Black.”
Distillery Botanica is currently remodelling its gardens and planning new Distillery Door experiences to enable visitors to select fruits, roots or leaves and then distil their own gin.
Later this year Distillery Botanica will be offering educational tours, guided tastings, and cocktail making classes.
Terry Collins